Chilean based MC Ana Tijoux has released her second album, but it is the first to be released in the U.S. If you aren't familiar with her classic style, I strongly suggest that you are.
Now a short lesson in Ana Tijoux's life. Born in France in 1977 to Chilean political refugees of the Pinochet regime, Tijoux began her MC career at the wee age of 14 after moving from Lille to Santiago de Chile. In 1997, while other teenagers found comfort in grunge or pop groups, Ana was 1/4th of the critically acclaimed and politically outspoken hip-hop group, Makiza. As time passed she decided to break away from the group and embark in a solo career. Since then Ana has collaborated with Julieta Venegas for "Eres Para Mi", has released 2 albums, and has received kudos from the likes of Thom Yorke, and Bajofondo. It has been 33 years now that she has lived life, and while she has experienced more than many of us can claim, she does not look a day over 23.
Her second full length release, 1977, fuses jazz-like melodies, classic vinyl scratches, chill bass beats, and latin sounds. Opening up is the "Intro" mixing soft "ooohs" from Ana, with a heavy beat, and a quirky sax. The intro lastS for a little over a minute until "Partir de Cero" clicks in with a remaining heavy bass and a sharp confident tongue. One of the stand out songs however is the title track, "1977." It pays homage to the year that birthed her. Epic Mexican trumpets, and a melancholy melody join her in the story of her life while also keeping tabs in the change of society. "Crisis de un MC" takes it down a notch. The song talks about a perfectionist MC whose idealistic self does not allow to accept any of their work. The "crisis" is a big irony that plagues the mind, such as when an MC tries to get inspiration via isolation when ultimately the words will be heard by the masses.
Many of the songs have the same style, yet their not repetitive, always sounding fresh. She has no need for synth-driven dj producers, her words flow magically making a contrast yet blending with the back beats. There's no dance track, it's all straight up matter-of-fact rhythmically delivered rhetoric organic hip-hop. And in a time where most MC's are going the commercial electro route, Ana Tijoux sticks to her classic guns and does a good job of it.
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