Amor a la Mexicana: Thalia Breaks Down 5 Essential Songs From 'A Mucha Honra'

Taking a regional Mexican music route has led Thalia—often referred to as the Queen of Latin Pop—back to her roots as she embraces the resurgence of música mexicana on her latest EP. A Mucha Honra.

“This album was created at the source from which this [new corridos] The movement comes and goes,” says the superstar Billboard Español. Working with Jimmy Humilde of Rancho Humilde and music producer Edgar Rodríguez of the Yellow Room, the singer dives deep into the musical heritage of her beloved homeland.

He reflects on the power of songs like the timeless 'Amor a la Mexicana' as a key inspiration for this project. “It's the perfect circle for why I sing regionally [Mexican] right now,” Thalia says of the classic 1997 Mexican cumbia-pop hit. “[This genre] it makes me feel nostalgic. It gets into the DNA of Mexico and causes a catharsis in you, this style, this sound, these chords.”

The 9-track EP, released Friday (April 26) under Sony Music US Latin, includes the corridos tumbados of “Bebé, Perdón,” “Para Qué Celarme” and a remake of “Amor a la Mexicana.” There's also the sierreño pop jam “Choro” featuring Estilo Sin Límite, the norteño song “Silencio” and a nor-techno remix of “Te Va a Doler,” courtesy of Deorro, which premiered last night on Latin Music America's 2024 Awards? the original version features Grupo Firme.

“For me it was a joy to be able to create this music for such a long time, to be able to perform it,” explains the artist. “It was incredible for me to go around A Mucha Honra little by little. I always try to experience different things, new things, things that challenge me and add to me.”

Below, Thalia breaks down five key songs from her new EP, in her own words.

“Te Va a Doler” (with Grupo Firme)

“Te Va a Doler” is a song that despite being regional [Mexican], has a bit of both worlds. It has a bit more of Thalia's universe, my musical and performance style, but still has the power and sonority of the new local Mexican. For more than a year we have been talking with Eduin Caz [of Grupo Firme] to do something, to work together, and for me this song was the perfect ring for that union. The truth is that our styles came together well, his voice sounds really strong in this story and it was spectacular.

From the same song, 'Te Va a Doler', it was made into a more electronic version with Deorro, who since I've heard his work I've loved it, so I was like, 'You've got to do something for me.' I love Deorro's work and he did the remix version of this song.

“Amor a la Mexicana”

It's the perfect circle for why I'm singing regionally right now. For me, singing in Mexico and singing in our musical styles [heritage] has been a constant in my discography. If you're looking for Thalia songs, videos and hits that have a local or Mexican sound to them, there are plenty and the classic of my entire career is “Amor a la Mexicana”. Thus, it could not be missing from this album called A Mucha Honra. I feel honored to be Mexican, to celebrate what is happening with culture, with music worldwide at this time. And what's more than the icing on the cake, which is to sing a new version of “Amor a la Mexicana”, which really turned out to be spectacular. Without a doubt, it is one of my best versions of “Amor a la Mexicana”.

“Troca” (with Ángela Aguilar)

It's a song that has such beautiful lyrics, so pure, so simple, so much love, that I needed. It resonated with me to sing something with beautiful, subtle love lyrics. It made me feel good to say those words and those lyrics. It was also a great opportunity to bring together two generations, two Mexicans, singing at this time. I feel our voices joined very cool and very velvety, like a warm blanket around you. And that makes me very happy to be able to say how nice it is that two Mexicans from different generations coexist in a love song.

We made an animated video which is also something new and different for me. It's super cute.

“Choro” (with Estilo Sin Límite)

“Choro” features Dania from Estilo Sin Límite, an up and coming artist who has incredible talent and is a great songwriter with a very special voice. When I heard it, I said, “Let's do the song, let's work,” and we recorded “Dance.” The interpretation is very nice. I feel the responsibility of someone who has already come a long way [in my career] to reach out and support new talent.

[Choro] it's a very Mexican thing to say. I thought it was a good title, a good idea for a song. Later it made me laugh because in other countries it has different concepts.

“Para Que Celarme”

I think it's my favorite on the album. The covers are nostalgic, it does something to my heart. I love the lyrics, the story is so awesome and it allows me as an actor to sing it and get into character. And that's what I really like about this song. It's a ballad of pride, of power. It reminds me a bit of this song of mine, “Equivocada”, in the subject matter. My fans like to see Thalia party, the Thalia who sings irreverent songs, dance songs, but also the romantic one, the one who sings heartbreak songs and intense ballads. This is the ballad of this album.