El ciclón

When Café Tacvba set out to record Re in 1994, they weren’t just aiming to make an album; they wanted to explore a sonic universe. In El ciclón, the third track on the record, that exploration bursts forth with infectious energy. Listening to it feels like hopping on a rollercoaster of styles: it kicks off with sharp Funk Rock, glides into the Art Pop that defines much of the album, and suddenly plunges you into Neo-Psychedelia with a dash of rap. It’s a blend that makes it vibrant and unforgettable.

The lyrics of El ciclón, far from being a simple narrative, dive into the idea of the life cycle. Think of how plants convert carbon dioxide into the oxygen we need, and how we, by breathing, return that carbon dioxide. It’s a metaphor for how everything comes full circle, no matter the form it takes. After that section, the song turns more reflective, questioning beliefs and the world’s balance, mentioning resource scarcity and widespread imbalance. The recording of this album, which featured musicians like Luis Conte and Alejandro Flores, took place in Cuernavaca, Morelos, under the band’s own production and that of Gustavo Santaolalla. For this work, Rubén Albarrán, the vocalist, adopted the name Cosme.