Michellar’s debut EP, “My Alma Latina,” is an introduction and a glowing affirmation of identity. Born from the fusion of Spanish and Filipino heritage, this five-track collection reverberates with heart, rhythm, and reverence. With feet planted in San Francisco and roots reaching deep into Latin tradition, Michellar channels generations of artistry into a modern, genre-bending celebration of culture. “My Alma Latina” is a pulse, a prayer, and a promise wrapped in melody.
The EP opens with a fresh take on “The Deep,” reimagined in a Latin version featuring Christina Rntd. Set against percussive guitar lines and sultry vocal layering, the track is a swirling invitation to Michellar’s world. Christina’s voice floats like incense over the rhythm, enhancing the bilingual elegance of the arrangement. There’s an unmistakable nod to Santana’s fiery influence in the guitar phrasing—smouldering, but never overbearing. It’s a brilliant opener that sets the mood and message: intimacy, spirituality, and groove are not mutually exclusive.
Then comes “Ave Maria,” a standout that dares to reinterpret sacred tradition without losing its soul. Featuring producer Lloyd Miller, the track pulses gently with understated strings and acoustic textures. It’s a religious hymn with a balm for the modern spirit. Michellar’s voice glides with quiet conviction, neither sanctimonious nor showy, just grounded in belief. Her interpretation gently strips the formality from the classic, replacing it with something rawer and more communal. This isn’t the Ave Maria of cathedrals; it’s the one whispered on subway benches and in sleepless bedrooms.
“Samba With Me,” another Lloyd Miller collaboration, lifts the mood into full celebration. It’s warm, rhythmic, and full of sunlight—the kind of track that lives for open-air dance floors and backyard gatherings. The percussion is crisp, the guitar work buoyant, and Michellar’s vocals effortlessly flirt with the beat. There’s a lived-in joy to this track, a kind of musical hospitality that feels instantly welcoming. It’s one of the EP’s most accessible songs, making a strong case for Michellar’s versatility as a singer and storyteller.
“If It’s Only for One Night” shifts the tempo but keeps the heart intact. A dusky ballad, the track leans into longing without falling into despair. Miller’s production is again subtle and supportive, allowing Michellar’s voice to take centre stage. Here, she’s wistful and tender, offering a brief but honest confession wrapped in warm, Latin-inflected phrasing. There’s something cinematic in its restraint, and it doesn’t scream for attention, but it lingers. The instrumentation is clean, restrained, yet emotionally loaded.
Closing with “California Fields (Master 2),” the EP comes full circle. This final track is a reflective exhale, a nod to home and heritage. Recorded in San Francisco, its sonic palette feels more grounded in West Coast textures—softer synth pads and acoustic guitar, while still echoing the Latin sensibilities that define the record. It plays like a sunset epilogue, nostalgic and hopeful all at once. Michellar’s lyrics point to belonging, memory, and movement—how landscapes shape identity and how roots grow even as we wander.
What makes “My Alma Latina” truly stand out is its authenticity. Michellar isn’t trying to chase a trend, but tracing a lineage. The EP is rich in intention, crafted with emotion and discipline. The global nature of its production, from London to Austin to the Bay Area, reflects Michellar’s ambition to connect across cultures and distances. And with Lloyd Miller’s consistent yet adaptive hand in the mix, the sonic cohesion is striking, despite the geographic sprawl.
In a time where identity can often feel fragmented, “My Alma Latina” finds power in wholeness. It’s a quiet triumph—spiritual without preaching, celebratory without excess, and deeply personal without shutting anyone out. For a debut, it’s remarkably self-aware and emotionally resonant. Michellar may just be getting started, but she’s already made her voice and her alma, impossible to ignore.
For more information, follow Michellar:
Soundcloud – Bandcamp – Instagram
