Mariachi El Bronx began as a detour that turned permanent. Formed in Los Angeles by members of the punk rock band The Bronx, the project started as a one off experiment in 2009, a way to channel a shared love of traditional Mexican music. That first self titled release eventually led to two more albums and established Mariachi El Bronx as much more than a side project. Eleven years after their last release, the band has returned with IV, with songs that reflect the years that have passed and touch on family, distance, and the experiences of getting older.
Musically, IV stays rooted in traditional mariachi, with trumpets, violins, vihuela, and guitarrón driving the songs. The arrangements are clean and open, allowing you to hear how each instrument works within the music. But what I really like is hearing the full band come together. There’s an energy to the playing that makes it easy to forget these guys came out of a punk band.
After more than a decade away, IV is a welcome return. Mariachi El Bronx never felt like a novelty or side project, and eleven years later, it certainly doesn’t now. IV is a really good album from a band I’m glad to have back.
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