This CD cover image released by Warp shows "Shields," by Grizzly Bear. (AP Photo/Warp)
Review: A look at overlooked albums of 2012
This CD cover image released by Warp shows "Shields," by Grizzly Bear. (AP Photo/Warp)
By The Associated Press
AP /
January 3, 2013
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Chilean-French rapper Ana Tijoux proves the power of that phrase. This year she brought new life to hip-hop en espanol with her rich, intelligent and original album ‘‘La Bala.’’
Tijoux captures attention with a complex delivery that is both soft and harsh, warm in tone, yet chilling. Her lyrics reflect the politics that have shaped her world: She grew up exiled in France, where her family fled to escape the Pinochet regime.
Musically, ‘‘La Bala’’ is a gorgeous, potent and smoothly produced mix of bass, orchestration, rock and soul — with delicious use of G-funk styling. The rhythms are unexpected and enticing.
On the title track, Tijoux details the shooting of a man, rapping over a militaristic march: ‘‘That body without life was her son, stunned Maria falls to the floor, her deformed face turned into a cry that leaves only a hum meaning — assassin.’’
—Michelle Morgante, AP Writer (twitter.com/mmorgante)
© Copyright 2013 Globe Newspaper Company.
