I didn't know exactly how i'd feel but after dropping XOPA,
i feel at peace. i've been anticipating this moment for the better
part of two years as this music felt like it had more weight than
anything we'd made in the past. the state the world and the state of
our lives made this music feel sacred. it became our place to process
and heal––ten chapters about the growth in my spirit and the collective
spirit of this band.
XOPA is an ode to our Panamanian
heritage, a melting pot of culture lives within Diego and I and that
complex stew is fully present in this music. it is an ode to our
families, blood and adopted, who nurtured and counseled us. its the
first album featuring a co-write with Juan-Carlos––Caracol the final
track on XOPA delivers the conclusion, we forgiveness, for
ourselves and this cruel world. weaved throughout it are the voices of
our mentors, this guides who continue to teach us how to have and how to
hold what we have. Porcelina, Nos Entenderan and Mamá celebrate
powerful woman who have helped shape us.
XOPA is also our first album with Duncan
Burnett in the seat, and through this, we've become brothers. as
Duncan so plainly put it, "at first I thought I was studying, 'Spanish'
music and then I realized, wait, this is all black music." we know that
language and genre fall away when you focus on this truth.
it made perfect sense to capture this in Memphis,
to make an all Spanish language record in the birthplace of rock n'
roll and a cradle for soul music.
we invite you to join us on this trip. we are
joined by an amazing cast, from Marc Ribot, David Hidalgo and Steve
Berlin of Los Lobos, Rev. Hodges, Asdru Sierra, Martha Gonzales, Jeremy
Kittel, Tennis and many others. i also want to shout out to our gifted
producer and manager Ben Yonas for guiding and steering this work from
start to finish and our friend Javier Carrizo for believing in this
music.
every stream, every order makes this art possible. we thank you in advance.
much love,
Enrique + Making Movies
