Pepe Aguilar Destroys 6 Key Tracks On New Album 'Que Llueva Tequila'

In an ever-evolving landscape that includes new local Mexican artists and new styles derived from the decades-old genre, Pepe Aguilar's music has stood the test of time.

While impressive, it is not surprising.

Backed by that regal traditional mariachi sound that has characterized his sound for many years, Aguilar carries ranchera music in his veins—and now, more than ever, is a fierce defender of the sound that has not only led him to become one of more respected local Mexican artists of his generation, but has built a solid foundation for up-and-coming hitmakers.

“I wanted to make an album that felt real — and because I don't make the kind of music that's trending right now, I didn't have any limitations,” Aguilar says of album/4AKhT9492HJiWyAALtkr6l” rel=”nofollow” target=”_blank”>Que Llueva Tequila, which was released on Friday (May 24). “I didn't do it for the charts or to compete with this movement that's happening right now. I guess that's why it sounds the way it does. I have complete freedom, I am completely calm and I do what I like without any pressure. I did it like that and I hope it sounds like that too.”

A beautiful set that thrives on mariachi and ranchera, Aguilar — who has placed a total of nine top 10 titles on Advertising signchart topping Latin albums — stays true to its essence while blending its signature sound with country and bachata. The 13-track LP is produced entirely by himself, but for the composition part, he enlisted some of the best in the game, including Edgar Barrera, Pablo Preciado and Enrique “Fato” Guzmán. The latter has written some of Aguilar's biggest hits, including “Me Vas a Extrañar”, “Por Mujeres Como Tú” and “Perdóname”.

With Que Llueva Tequilahis first in two years A La Medida, Aguilar hopes fans “remember that they have every right to ask for more quality in music, and I hope they can see that it's still available and we can do it. I believe in the craftsmanship of music. I still believe in putting your heart into it,” he adds.

In his own words, Aguilar — currently on Jaripeo's Hasta Los Huesos US tour — breaks down six key songs from Que Llueva Tequila below.

“Hasta Que Me Duermo”

I really like this song and it was the first single for a reason. It is the one where you can hear the fusion very clearly. I wanted to do that on this album, I wanted to go a step further in terms of fusion, especially nowadays where everything is a mix of cultures, languages ​​and generations. This was the perfect song to do that. Pablo Preciado wrote that – he actually wrote five songs on the album. He's someone I really clicked with, musically speaking, and I think he did too.

“Te Confirmo”

This is not your traditional mariachi, it has more of a modern language — and I'm not saying bad things or anything, but it's more digestible. It's less formal and traditional in a way that rancheras used to be spelled, but it's still a very traditional ranchera. And the matter is different. Normally, we're always suffering because our partner left us and we're drinking, feeling sorry for ourselves — and this song is the opposite. It's like, “I can confirm that I'm really fine without you. Actually, I'm doing great and I can confirm that you weren't that special in my life.'' The message is nice for a change. And I really like the music — it's really catchy.

“Mira Quién Lo Dice”

It's an Edgar Barrera song and another kind of fusion. It has a lot of soul, blues. It's not the first time I've made such a sound, but Edgar's songs are very special. His songs give you the freedom to do whatever you want with them. They have this magic. I wanted a more blues-y, soul vibe and I did that with my band. This is one thing I want to mention. Everything you hear on this album was recorded and done with the musicians I tour with, covers and all, we did as a team. We didn't bring in star producers or star arrangers to help us make this album. Everything is done at home. This song is one of my favorites on the album — and not because it's written by one of the most important songwriters of the last 25 years, but because it's really, really cool.

“No Hay Día Que No Esté Nublado”

This song gave me a chance to do something more upbeat. This album leans more towards the romantic side of things. Although it has some hard-hitting rancheras, it's more of a romantic album. This isn't downtempo, it's downright upbeat. I like it and the album needed a song like that. It's a sad song because of what it says, but the song is so optimistic that it gives you a strange effect. It gave me a chance to go deeper with harmonies and vocals. It is also written by Pablo Preciado. Pablo's songs are extremely difficult to perform. He writes for himself and has tremendous vocal ability. It was a challenge but it was great.

Que Llueva Tequila

This is one of my favorites because I really love mariachi — not just because my parents introduced it to me, but because I love how it makes me feel. I enjoy mariachi and it should never go away. Although I do a lot of songs that are fusion, there always has to be a song that represents traditional mariachi. This song is. For the most part, it's a song that has the traditional mariachi structure, thematically and sonically. And those are really fun to sing. “Que Llueva Tequila” is a mariachi song at times, and I made it that way because I love mariachi, no other reason.

“Question of Time”

Fato, as you know, has a very important place in my career. I can't imagine my career without him, and he probably can't imagine his career without me. I have three songs written by him on this album and “Cuestión de Tiempo” is one of them. And it just so happens to be a badass. It's such a different song from the rest of the album. For starters, Fato is a poet, he comes up with great metaphors that are just such great ideas. The song is about attitude in life because well… karma.

The lyrics say:Recuerda donde pasaste because algung day you will return to recoger los pedazos de tu alma rota en la oscuridad.” He's like, “Yeah, man, what goes around comes around” — but he said it in a very beautiful way, in his style. And musically I wanted to give it a twist. I created a crazy sound based on loops I made in my studio. This bachata beat, the percussion and rhythms I made for it, give it a sound that's also very new. And that wasn't the idea, the song just called for it. I mixed the song and I was with the engineer and then I started clapping and I heard it in my head. I knew we needed something else. I called a drummer, who is a friend of mine, and the song took another direction.