palabras ARACELI CRUZ

La Quinta Estación is ready for the big time. A couple of weeks back the Spanish trio celebrated the release of their third album “El Mundo Se Equivoca” with their first trip to New York. With their promotional tour in full swing the band didn’t have time to sightsee, but they were revved up to share their new music with their fans.

Natalia Jiménez (singer), Ángel Reynero (guitarist) and Pablo Domínguez (guitarist) arrived at Taj Lounge in New York looking a bit dazed among the media frenzy before them, though eager to perform.

“We’ve been up since six in the morning,” Reynero said.

The short New York trip is just the beginning as the group prepares for a larger scale tour in the coming months. The constant life on the road and work schedule is something the group dealt with while recording "El Mundo Se Equivoca."

Life for the members of La Quinta Estación has been chaotic since day one. Some assume that Jiménez, Reynero and Domínguez are from Mexico, since much of their success was achieved there, but they actually hail from Madrid.

Their debut album “Primera Toma,” released in late 2002, introduced the group to Mexican audiences with their single “Donde Irán,” on the popular teen soap opera “Clase 406.” La Quinta Estación became immersed in Mexican pop-culture, with singles on soundtracks, tribute albums and within a year they began working on their second album “Flores de Alquiler.” The madness continued with tours and an acoustic album though all of their hard work paid off as the group garnered many awards.

Fast forward to 2007 El Mundo Se Equivoca, their third effort exudes confidence which can be attributed to the extended recording process, though its delivery exposes the group’s vulnerability.

“This album is a bit sadder,” Reynero said.

That poignancy is evident in the ballads “Qué Fuí Para Ti?” and “Sueños Rotos,” with Jiménez’ deep belts heard throughout the album.

Jiménez emphasizes the album is a reflection of the time spent away from their families, and loved ones.

“We were more alone than usual,” Jiménez said about the recording process which took place in Mexico. “Everyday we were always working, working, working and we dealt with the breakups of girlfriends and boyfriends, and we missed our country.”

Since most of their time is spent in el DF, that traditional Mexican sound also made it to the record. The single “Me Muero,” contains the pure mariachi sound, fueled with strings, violins and horns.

“You have to take advantage of the music from other countries and I think it has benefited us.” Reynero said.

And it obviously has. Aside from the album's success in Latin America, the group also topped the charts in Spain. The band will return to New York with larger tour in the coming months.