Helado Negro and Reyna Tropical have announced their collaborative LP Helado Tropical, arriving July 17 via Psychic Hotline. What began as a one-song writing session became a full album after a three-day studio session.
Roberto Carlos Lange (Helado Negro) and Fabi Reyna (Reyna Tropical) entered the studio to work on a single track. Instead, they produced nine songs in nearly continuous collaboration. "There was never a moment where we felt super stuck," Lange said in a statement. "It was just like 'ok what's next?' and even within the songs, trying to create these micro worlds — we just felt excited about each moment."
The lead single "Tocando" arrived today. Reyna's voice floats over Lange's fluid production as they sing about fleeting moments and love that doesn't hit the same way anymore. Reyna wrote the lyrics in one marathon session after more than a day without sleep, composing them in an essay-like form until the piece crystallized.
The music video, directed by Josh Finck, features the two Latin musicians in a bright grocery store with neon-lit aisles and vintage color grading.
Despite their collaboration, Lange and Reyna aren't singing to each other. "It's not about us speaking to each other," Lange said. "It's about us existing in the same feeling." They synchronized emotionally rather than addressing one another directly.
Helado Tropical is an indie-electronic album with a mood-drenched sound.
