The new single has been unveiled ahead of the band’s 10^th studio album El Mirador, and features vocals from Sam Beam of Iron and Wine. Singer Joey Burns said of the song, according to a recent press release: “When we recorded “Harness the Wind” it felt like we tapped into a spark of bright light and positivity…Everything fell together quickly and naturally. With the shiny electric guitar weaving in and out of John and Sergio’s propelling drums and bass, the song always had a vibe that stood out from the other songs. We sent the tracks to Sam Beam to add his vocals on the chorus which made the tune float even more. It’s a song about hope and sharing compassion to fellow travelers and dreamers who are trying to find their way.”

Burns and drummer John Convertino have been performing together for over 30 years, with the two originally meeting at The University of California, Irvine. The duo’s first musical collaboration was with the group Giant Sand, in which Convertino was playing drums prior to the two meeting. Fast forward to many years later, Calexico is still breaking new ground. El Mirador has been described in a recent press release as display a “sunnier side of the band, cutting through two years of pandemic fog with a blast of danceable optimism.”

The record was written alongside Sergio Mendoza (keys, accordion, percussion). The album delves deep into the band’s influences, particularly cumbia, mariachi and the myriad sounds that are present in the Southwest United States. Mendoza said of his partnership with Convertino and Burns in a recent press release: “I’ve been playing with Calexico for about 15 years, and I admire Joey and John’s constant search for new sounds… “After so many albums,” he adds “I’m really proud we were able to achieve something so fresh together.”

The full track list for El Mirador can be seen below, and you can pre-order the album here.

1). El Mirador
2). Harness the Wind
3). Cumbia Peninsula
4). Then You Might See
5). Cumbia del Polvo
6). El Paso
7). The El Burro Song
8). Liberada
9). Turquoise
10). Constellation
11). Rancho Azul
12). Caldera

The band have been going strong for over 30 years, sharing a deep love of jazz and rock. Their latest release will showcase a brighter side of the band, cutting through two years of pandemic fog with bursts of danceable optimism as well as influences from cumbia, mariachi and southwestern sounds.

Accompanying the announcement also comes a colourful animated music video for the album’s title track. In the video directed by Elefanto and Mero Estudio, we can see a journeyman traveling far and wide to find ‘el corazón’, or the heart.

Burns the singer and co-founder of Calexico stated that “El Mirador is dedicated to family, friends and community, The pandemic highlighted all the ways we need each other, and music happens to be my way of building bridges and encouraging inclusiveness and positivity. That comes along with sadness and melancholy, but music sparks change and movement.” Mendoza also said of the record “I’ve been playing with Calexico for about 15 years, and I admire Joey and John’s constant search for new sounds, After so many albums, I’m really proud we were able to achieve something so fresh together.”

The album will also feature vocals from Guatemalan singer-songwriter Gaby Moreno as well as Spanish rocker Jairo Zavala founding member of Spanish rock groups Vacazul and 3000 Hombres, two of the country’s biggest rock bands of the 90s. He can be heard on the fifth track “Cumbia Peninsula” bringing his signature bravado to the song. Calexico are also set to embark on a European tour starting in late April and running through till June visiting the UK on May 14 at the O2 Forum Kentish Town in London.

You can view the album artwork and tracklist below.

El Mirador Album Tracklist:
1. El Mirador
2. Harness The Wind
3. Cumbia Peninsula
4. Then You Might See
5. Cumbia del Polvo
6. El Paso
7. The El Burro Song
8. Liberada
9. Turquoise
10. Constellation
11. Rancho Azul
12. Caldera