Mexico City-based experimental collective Amor Muere, consisting of Mabe Fratti, Gibrana Cervantes, Concepción Huerta, and Camille Mandoki, is set to release their highly anticipated debut album, A time to love, a time to die, via the newly independent and rebranded experimental label, Scrawl (formerly known as SA Recordings).
Amor Muere represents a unique collaboration between four established artists, each with their own distinguished artistic endeavours. Mabe Fratti, a skilled avant-garde cellist, masterfully weaves together contemporary art pop and avant-garde influences, seamlessly blending improvisation, organisation, and melody in her music. Camille Mandoki’s compositions defy categorization, ranging from stumbling, decaying fairground music to menacing percussive flurries. Her vocals transcend conventional boundaries, bending and shaping sound into hauntingly beautiful and unconventional forms. Concepción Huerta expertly explores everyday sonic landscapes, blending field recordings, objects, and instruments using magnetic tape manipulation and synthesisers. Her artistry crafts immersive atmospheres, seamlessly merging ambient and noise elements while bridging analog and digital sound manipulation. Gibrana Cervantes, a Mexican musician, stands out as a violinist, composer, and improviser, combining classical and metal influences into a truly unique and innovative musical style.
An experimental supergroup, Amor Muere combines their individual talents and core instruments—vocals, violin, cello, synths, and tape manipulation—to create a debut album that pushes the boundaries of sonic exploration.
The genesis of Amor Muere emerged from strong friendships and a shared desire for true expression. The band took root four years ago in Mexico City’s improvisation scene, brought together during a multidisciplinary performance directed and written by Camille Mandoki. Gibrana, Mabe, and Concepción, alongside other artists, were invited to contribute their voices and bodies to this unconventional concert format. The group’s chemistry was undeniable, and after several performances, they continued to gather for musical exploration, sparking fluid jam sessions and collaborative compositions. These experiences deepened their connections and birthed a remarkable bond among these talented women, leading to regular sessions of playing and creating music together. What started as a space for fun and sonic experimentation soon evolved into a powerful convergence of each member’s individual musical explorations.
Gibrana reflects on the band’s creative process, saying, “It’s not just about the music; it’s a beautiful process where we connect through emotions and feelings as friends to make music.” Amor Muere’s project is grounded in friendship and unfiltered self-expression, stemming from the carefree days when these friends hung out and played together. This essence is even encapsulated in the band’s name, which translated to English means ‘Love Dies’, born out of an inside joke inspired by a poster in one of their rooms with the words “Love Never Dies.” Camille humorously points out, “Love Dies!”—a sentiment they all agreed upon during that particular phase of their lives, finding humour in the concept.
Amor Muere’s distinct musical chemistry and electrifying performances have been honed through years of playing together live and touring across Mexico, and once in the US. Their captivating stage presence and immersive sonic experience have garnered acclaim from audiences throughout the regions.
Given the band’s long-standing tradition of gathering for music-making reunions at least once a year, their debut album has been carefully crafted over a span of several years, allowing compositions to naturally evolve with minimal pressure. The tracks comprising A time to love, a time to die have been marinated and adapted over an extended period, resulting in a deeply refined and mature collection of songs.
The debut album came to life in the serene landscapes of La Pitaya in Zoncuantla, a forested haven where two of the band members resided and where the others frequently visited. It was then recorded in Camille’s home studio in Zoncuantla, Veracruz and produced collaboratively by all four members of the quartet, valuing each person’s input. These intimate settings allowed Amor Muere to have full artistic control over the sonic tapestry they wished to weave. The album captivates listeners with explosive soundscapes—a fusion of haunting cello, hypnotic electronics, enticing vocals, and enchanting violins—showcasing each artist’s mastery of their craft, reaching sublime and transcendent heights.
A time to love, a time to die marks the arrival of Amor Muere, a musical force driven by genuine camaraderie, profound artistry, and a fearless exploration of sonic boundaries. As listeners immerse themselves in the captivating sounds of Amor Muere, they will embark on an otherworldly journey where love and mortality intersect in a breathtaking display of creative prowess.
