Spring. Nature is slowly beginning to wake up from its winter slumber. The snow, tiresome after six months of winter, is finally starting to melt, birds begin to sing, and the sun breaks through the gray sky. Nature comes to life -and with it, the ideas of creative people awaken, filling them with inspiration. Spring is a time for long-awaited releases when the fresh wind of change brings new melodies. Maria Mortiz, a Mexican singer and songwriter whose music captivates with its lightness and warmth, is no exception. She lives in the heart of Mexico City, among its bustling, sunlit streets, where Mexican folklore weaves into the rhythm of the city.

Maria steps into the spotlight of Latin American music like a newcomer in a genre picture, armed with Mexico’s deep-rooted traditions and a sound that’s got its own fresh kick. Her debut album, Déjame Preguntarte, plays like a three-act drama—love’s soaring highs, loss’s shadowed lows, and the soul’s restless hunt for itself. She belts it out with the kind of gusto that makes you sit up and listen, a performance that’s equal parts heritage and heart, and all her own.

Produced by Rob Jimenez with the support of Anchor Music Company, the album becomes a revelation, highlighting Maria’s unique voice and her ability to convey layered stories.I would compare this release to a gust of fresh wind – and that alone is enough to feel the atmosphere and lyrical essence of the album.

The album features 10 tracks, starting with “Asi,” where delicate piano passages intertwine with exquisite percussion. The fragile, almost ethereal melody smoothly transforms into a soft, enveloping sound. Maria, with her unique, slightly nasal vocal style, adds an unmistakable timbre to her voice, bringing a subtle, barely perceptible hint of sadness to the song’s interpretation.

On the album, the singer offers light, melodic songs performed on traditional Mexican instruments. The track “Vampiro” stands out with its vibrant atmosphere, filled with elements of Mexican folk music that are unmistakably distinct. The sound of traditional instruments enhances the sense of mystery and rhythmic tension, conveying both a bright energy and dark, hidden emotions, playing on contrasts.

Melancholy and passion are the core mood of the track “Te Vas.” The main instrument – piano – unveils the essence of the emotions, while the soft rhythms of percussion with a Latin motif add a hint of something elusive. Maria sings about how meeting a special person turned everything upside down, making her forget the outside world and focus solely on emotions and the moment. The delicate combination of modern elements and Latin motifs expresses the mood of this emotional encounter.

The more energetic “Quiero Saber” sounds very fresh, melodic, and grabs attention from the first seconds. In the finale, thanks to the introduction of the trumpet, guitar, and viola-guitar, the instrumental sections begin to “bloom,” adding brightness to the sound. The song, about love, life, and pride, conveys the full spectrum of emotions through expressive accents in the melody. Its characteristic energy entices you to follow the rhythm, and the body instinctively begins to move in time.

A particularly strong impression is left by the song “Tortuga,” where the exquisite melody of the bolero transports you into a state of emotional calm. Here, as in the best traditions of the genre, the atmosphere is filled with passion. The bolero rhythm gently leads the listener, and the instrumental cycles tenderly unfold the melody. In tandem with the vocals, they create a unique harmony, enhancing the overall mood of the song. The track’s tempo is slow, but this is its charm – it allows you to feel every detail and movement of sound.

The waltzing “Quieres Tanto” sways to the rhythm of the “sweet” strumming of the guitar. It seemed to me one of the strongest in this program. But listening to Maria Mortiz’ voice is pleasant in every track. The warmth of the sound, the intonational precision, the beautiful timbre of the voice – lovers of bolero, rumba, and ranchera will appreciate the album.

In conclusion, Maria gifts us with the touching and lyrical song “Sirena Y El Pescador.” A musical story about the complexities and contradictions of love. It feels like a delicate play of contrasts – tender passion, closeness, and distance – which makes it especially meaningful.

Creative and restless, Maria Mortiz brings echoes of past eras to the contemporary pop scene. In her music, the sounds of her homeland blend, filled with the echo of folk melodies, and the refined shades of traditional Mexican styles, harmoniously intertwined with modern rhythms. It’s got this raw, soaring power that makes you lean in, like she’s confessing something big, something personal, and you’re the only one she’s telling. I mean, listen to her—really listen—and tell me you’re not hooked.

But here’s where I argue with myself: is it too much? All this blending—folk, tradition, pop—it could’ve been a mess, a musical pile-up. Yet Maria Mortiz pulls it off, doesn’t she? It’s harmonious, not chaotic—like she’s directing a big, sprawling cast and every player knows their mark. Déjame Preguntarte is a conversation, a tug-of-war between old and new, and Maria’s the ringmaster, cracking the whip with a wink. You don’t walk away from this one unmoved.

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