Salón Lágrimas y Deseo

After a teasing flirtation with modern club beats on *Balas y Chocolate*, the constitutionally unpredictable Lila Downs returns with the cinematic sweep of the very retro *Salón, Lágrimas y Deseo*. Soaked in sorrow, “La Mentira” conjures visions of a smoky ‘50s jazz combo, while “Peligrosa” puts a mariachi twist on gliding ‘60s soul. Of course, any Downs album is ultimately a showcase for her explosive voice, and despite the radical change in style, *Salón, Lágrimas y Deseo* delivers ferociously on that front.

On 2015's Latin Grammy-winning Balas y Chocolat, Lila Downs delivered an album of folk songs and originals that juxtaposed modern Mexico with its rich history.