Global Beat Mexico

Betto Arcos gives us the gift of holiday-inspired bangers, straight from Mexico’s emerging alternative scene. Folk and jazz sounds from around the world are reimagined and delivered with passion and punch from artists Amir Moreno, Chalanes del Amor, and Arturo O’Farrill.

Moni Saldaña is back with Raul Campos, bringing three gems that spotlight the creative flair of women in the Mexican alternative scene. Listen in for chill indie-rock vibes, a fun and funky bedroom pop tune, and some mind-melting psychedelia. Artists in this episode: Películas Geniales, Elis Paprika, sailawway.

NPR’s Betto Arcos returns to the table for another IQ-sharpening session through deep knowledge of Mexico’s regionally specific histories, and the myriad ways music is able to amplify the past and the present… often simultaneously. This episode features artists Embrujo Huasteco, ​​Stephanie Delgado, Maria Moctezuma.

Moni Saldaña returns to Global Beat: Mexico with hand-selected tracks that blend the sounds of the past as filtered through the youthful creativity of the future. Dark and sultry tones present themselves only to be immediately contrasted by moments of pure light. Prepare for total immersion in the brilliance of Mexico’s alternative’s future with Los Flakos, Mercedes Nasta, Rodrigo Blanco, Bobui.

Junf and Raul (affectionately known as Raulito) are back with a full slate of bangers representing avant-folk, daytime disco, and globe trotting hip-hop collabs. Artists featured include Axel Catalán, Plano (CDMX DJ duo Rodrigo Casarín and Juan Andrés Vergara), and Mexico’s MC Masta Quba, Spain’s P. Jaguar, and Peru’s A.C.O on “Conmigo.”

Raul Campos and Moni Saldaña are back with 3 tracks perfect for getting lost in an afternoon daydream: Mexico City’s Marion Raw with indie-folk gem “Ghost in the Machine.” “Felpa” from Parque de Cometas is a sweet and sultry delight infused with notes of psychedelia and fuzz-rock. And, named after a classic Mexican tongue twister, Pepe Pecas is a mystical musical character emerging from Mexico City, best described as "your favorite freak".

Mexico City DJ Junf is back with a bang, putting us onto some young independent artists making a name for themselves in international scenes. Whether you’re craving a soft and soothing love song, a dreamy, upbeat folk number, or an all-out rave banger, this episode has a treat in store for you from artists Ilse Hendrix, Yöels, and Future Feelings.

Moni Saldaña highlights some of the most cutting-edge women in the alternative Mexican scene with tracks from Mabe Fratti, Margaritas Podridas, and Kirnbauer.

Junf is back and better than ever with selections from Guadalajara and Mexico City. Cubo-Caribbean sounds meet traditional dance hall music, modern indie meets R&B, and house meets disco in these delightfully diverse tracks from Ángel Céspedes, Ana Verá, and Hotmood.

Our curator Moni Saldaña has been embedded amongst México’s most progressive, underground music communities for the past 15 years. We anticipate an onslaught of hidden gems from her, starting with the antics of Sgt. Papers, the debut solo work from Myuné of the excellent Mexico City-based shoegazers Mint Field, and supergroup iiis (pronounced like “ay ay ays!”) consisting of members of Petite Amie and Little Jesus.