Song of the Day: Juana Molina - Cosoco

Every Monday through Friday, we deliver a different song as part of our Song of the Day podcast subscription. This podcast features exclusive KEXP in-studio performances, unreleased songs, and recordings from independent artists that our DJ’s think you should hear. Today’s song, featured on The Midday Show with Cheryl Waters, is “Cosoco” by Juana Molina from her 2017 record Halo on Crammed Discs

Juana Molina - Cosoco (MP3)

Juana Molina has carved out an entirely singular body of work over seven albums, most recently on 2017's Halo. Though her albums contain disparate elements, they are sonically unified by her unique songwriting talents and voice, which play with traditional pop convention. Today's Song of the Day, "Cosoco" is unmistakably a Juana Molina track, even as it continues to broaden her sonic palate, encompassing elements of traditional Argentinian music, blues, and electronic music.

"Cosoco" is built around a repetitive, guitar-bass groove that acts as the track's anchor. Molina's voice enters in amidst the guitar part, adding in rhythmic opposition and ringing softly in the open gaps made by the guitar. The track continues to build, Molina joining herself on harmony, bubbling percussion and electronic murmuring constantly coming in and out of focus, all while Molina spits the titular "Cosoco." Arguably the centerpiece of Halo, "Coscoco" acts as a reminder of Molina's penchant for sonic discovery, as well as proof that Molina will continue to evolve as a songwriter and musician over the course of (hopefully) many future albums.

Juana Molina has a string of shows scheduled in the US for this fall, including shows in New York, Montreal, and Boston. For more information, view her website and Facebook. Also, here is the video for another highlight from Halo, titled "Paraguaya."