With her debut EP My Alma Latina, Michellar dives in headfirst. Released on July 25, 2025, this five-track project is a heartfelt homage to her Spanish and Filipino heritage, wrapped in Latin grooves, poetic lyricism, and just the right amount of spiritual spice. If you’ve ever wondered what it might sound like if Santana and Sade sat down in a candlelit chapel somewhere between San Francisco and Manila, this might be it.
Recorded across three cities — San Francisco, Austin, and London — My Alma Latina is as global in production as it is personal in tone. Michellar wrote all the lyrics and melodies herself, teaming up with producer Lloyd Miller of Spirit Song Studios to seamlessly blend traditional instrumentation with modern flair.
The opener “California Fields” immediately sets the tone, twinkling guitar notes, ambient strings that rise and fall like ocean tides, and Michellar’s tender vocals that glide between wistful and wide-eyed wonder. It’s nostalgic, magical, and grounded all at once.
Then there’s “If It’s Only for One Night,” where Lloyd Miller’s deep voice trails over swelling orchestral strings, signifying his longing and vulnerability. He sings, “Love me if it’s only for one night, tonight.” Meanwhile, “The Deep” with the mystical swaying sparkly groove of the percussion against heavy haunting deep strings anchored by Christina Rntd’s smoky, soaring voice that digs deep into emotional reserves before lifting off with vehemence.
But it’s “Ave Maria” that steals the spotlight as a modern, reverent and rebellious take on the traditional prayer. It’s not about religion per se, but about unity, resilience, and the power of prayer in whatever form you find it.
All told, My Alma Latina honors the past, celebrates the present, and hints at a glowing, genre-blending future. Check it out on Spotify.
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Review by: Naomi Joan