Over the last few years, Latin American artist Juan Wauters has covered a lot of ground, both artistically and geographically. Until this point in his career, most of his songs had been sung in English, but revisiting his Latin roots inspired him to record songs in his native tongue.
Juan announces the wonderful La Onda de Juan Pablo, the world of Juan Pablo Wauters, set for release on Friday 25th January. He’s unveiled a video for the album’s lead single and infectious love song, ‘Guapa’ which was inspired by Puerto Rico, where his journey leapt off. Watch below!
La Onda de Juan Pablo is sung entirely in Spanish and recorded with local musicians along his travels. Follow Juan’s travel journal & interactive map through Latin America here.
After releasing 2014’s N.A.P.: North American Poetry and 2015’s Who Me?, Wauters originally planned to record his next album while traveling, seeking a break from his life in New York City. He settled in Mexico City in 2017 to focus on writing, but shortly after, he was offered a role in an independent film being shot in Argentina.
When filming was complete, Wauters wound up writing and recording all over Latin America – from Argentina, Uruguay, Peru, and Chile to Mexico and Puerto Rico – seeking collaboration at every stop with local musicians who embody the traditions and energies specific to each region.
Puerto Rico was one of his first destinations. At a restaurant on the way to Charco Azul in Guavate – a natural swimming hole – Wauters heard a duo playing boleros, music he has been familiar with since his early childhood, but had never experienced in its original context. Those boleros would inspire the repeating melody that makes up ‘Guapa’.
