KCRW’s Global Beat is a series highlighting emerging artists from around the world. Our second season takes us to México, hosted by KCRW DJ Raul Campos alongside our curators, Mexico City DJ and music supervisor Junf, director of Festival NRMAL Moni Saldaña, and NPR’s Betto Arcos.

Los Pream – “Balkan Pream”

Groovy, twangy, synthy — this Mixe-meets-bedroom pop track is sure to surprise and delight. The song experiments with texture in its layered sounds and production, resulting in a track that is both comfortably familiar and also bends genre conventions. 

Dueto Dos Rosas – “Gaviota Traidora”

Born in San Diego but now living in their family home of San Martin Sabinillo, Oaxaca, these two guitarist-singer-songwriter sisters are re-invigorating the style of Las Jilgeurilla, the Higuera sister duet formed in 1955. Dueto Dos Rosas shine light on the rich ranchero traditions of Mexico’s past, while bringing a unique and fresh energy into the future. 

Banda Femenil Regional “Mujeres del Viento Florido”– “Canción Sin Miedo”

Translating to “song without fear,” this 50 piece all-female brass band defines and redefines courage through their music. “Canción Sin Miedo” is performed in both Spanish — songwriter Vivir Quintana joins Banda Femenil to provide lyrics en Español — and the group’s native Ayuujk language which offers a vital entry point for the non-Spanish speakers in their community.

The song calls for equality and rights for women. Indigenous Mexican women’s unique struggles are often overlooked, and “Canción Sin Miedo” defies the narrative with a poignant tale of courage and femme strength.