Julieta Venegas‘ new album Norteña plays out as the vibrant soundtrack of her life, weaving together the lively sounds and cherished memories of her Tijuana, Baja California roots.
“I was inspired by Los Tigres del Norte, Juan Gabriel, bandas and mariachis. We listened to a lot of Vicente Fernández. We were always singing rancheras by José Alfredo [Jiménez], going nuts with the karaoke,” she expressed in a press release.
Released on Thursday (May 14) via Altafonte, Norteña is more than just an album; it is a loving homage to the music and stories that filled her family gatherings as a child. The project blossomed during two turning points in Venegas’s life: after years spent in Buenos Aires, she felt an irresistible pull back to Mexico City. Crafting Norteña became her way of returning home in spirit, long before she set foot there again.
During an intimate listening session in Miami back in April, after receiving the Artistic Excellence Award at Billboard‘s 2026 Latin Women In Music gala, Julieta shared just how deeply Norteña resonates with her. The album not only revives her norteño roots through the soulful accordion and a memorable collaboration with the legendary Mexican band Bronco, but also breathes life into a song she had long envisioned. She always imagined the voice of Bronco’s lead singer, José Guadalupe Esparza, on the track, and when she finally reconnected with Bronco’s frontman, his encouragement inspired her to complete it. That moment sparked the creation of the cumbia “Volver a ti,” which pulses with the unmistakable Bronco spirit.
Among the album’s standout moments is her duet with longtime friend Natalia Lafourcade, “Tengo que Contarte,” a midtempo ranchera adorned with saxophone and guitar that feels like a heartfelt exchange between close companions. Julieta also joins forces with Yahritza y su Esencia on the heart-wrenching “La Línea,” which addresses the pain of separation caused by deportations and immigration policies in the United States. And she reflects on her own journey in “Terca,” a spirited polka inspired by her daring move to Mexico City at 21. The song’s title nods to her father’s nickname for her, a playful tribute to her stubborn determination to chase her dreams.
Another of the album’s most joyful tracks is a touching song she wrote to celebrate her father’s 80th birthday, “Te Celebramos,” finally granting his long-held wish for a song of his own. She says he always asked her to write him a song, and now thinks her mother will ask for one, too, since she will be turning 80 this year as well.
Stream and listen to Norteña below.
