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.