The layers of Lido Pimienta’s identity are striking: Colombian, Canadian, Wayuu, transgressive, folklorist. The influence behind Lido Pimienta’s music is intriguing: electronic, pop, traditionalist, industrial, reggaeton. The artist’s third album ‘Miss Colombia’ is a cogent amalgamation of all of this, and one which lays bare the societal issues in which we face today.
In 2017, the artist’s self-funded debut album ‘La Papessa’ won the esteemed Polaris Prize, to which Lido Pimienta accepted the accolade with the statement, “brown girls to the front”, likely rattling a few heads in an industry where racism and misogyny are ever rampant. This was, of course, Pimienta’s intention, and on ‘Miss Columbia’ the artist moves her bold brand of ‘no f***s given’ attitude and songwriting aptitude up a gear, and the result is categorically unforgiving.
The songwriting on ‘Miss Colombia’ is calculated and astute and never has it been more important for an artist to achieve this. With a medley of traditional cumbia and ramped up synth-pop fulled by an unremitting quest to hold those in power to just accountability, the offering is both admirable in its creativity as it is potent in its relevance.
‘Eso Que Tu Haces’ is a coupling of pop attitude with Wyuu soundscapes while ‘Nada’, featuring fellow Colombian artist Li Saumet, brazes the narrative of a woman who has given her all to something which has given nothing back with groovy rhythms and eerie flute melodies. On ‘Coming Thru’ the artist’s stylistic experimentation of her cultural roots with new wave pop is engineered with revered brilliance while ‘Pelo Cucu’ abandons this unison all together, and instead opts for an all-out Wyuu inspired production.
‘Miss Colombia’ is where traditional meets visionary, political servitude is contested by creative means, and ultimately, where Lido Pimienta calls on all of us to consolidate for what is right and lay to rest an ugly regime that serves to belittle others. A triumphant addition to the Pimienta collection and a telling insight into the modern political landscape.
We would love to know your favourite song on ‘Miss Colombia’ and you can let us know on our Twitter page @CelebMix!