"Sad Sierreño": The New Wave of Regional Mexican Music with a melancholy twist

05/10/2024

Billboard has seen an increasing amount of Regional Mexican Music entering and dominating its charts. Artists such as local legends here in the RGV Grupo Frontera, and others such as Fuerza Regida, Peso Pluma, and Eslabon Armado have all contributed greatly to the success of this genre. When people think of “Mexican Music” they think of the typical styles such as Mariachi, Corridos, Norteñas, and Banda which each have become so popularized that they even have their own sub-genres. Typical folk corridos from ancient Mexico have evolved into Corridos Tumbados and even Narco-Corridos, which fun fact are banned in their home country of Mexico. 

Sierreñas on the other hand are a bit different since they’ve been popularized and fused with other Western genres like indie/alternative to form a unique blend of music, embracing their Mexican History while also conforming to the demands of our modern world. What once started back in the highlands of Mexico’s northern states Sonora, Chihuahua, and Sinaloa throughout the 90s has been popularized and turned into the “sad” style by greats like Ariel Camacho, and his group Los Plebes del Rancho.

“Sad Sierreño” often referred to as “Indie Sierreño” at times, is guitar-heavy, melancholic, melodic, heartbreaking, and depressing all at once. Instruments such as a bajo sexto, requinto, bajo quinto, and electric bass are all used to convey the emotions of their writers through a ballad-like corrido. We see this type of music start to take off in late 2020 when the group Eslabon Armado dropped their latest album “Corta Venas” featuring the song “Jugastes y Sufri” with an up-and-coming artist Dannylux. After its release, the song immediately goes viral on social media,  garnering lots of attention on the now-trending genre.

The style of “sad sierreño” had been around since long before the song became popularized, but it was with the help of “Jugastes y Sufri” that the genre could inspire others and get as popular as it is now. Thanks to the success of the genre’s resurgence throughout the decade we now have artists like Junior H, Jasiel Nuñez, Dannylux, Dariell Cano, Erre, Eslabon Armado, and Alta Elegancia to name a few. Their music continues to inspire the new generation of listeners and artists alike, allowing them to enjoy this style of music. 

Some honorable music mentions are as follows:

• “ERRE5 - EP” By: Erre

•  My favorite tracks are “DISTRACCIONES” because honestamente ¿cómo me supero de ti? and “MÁNDAME ALV!” because it's so damn catchy 

• “Tr1ppy.Mp3” By: Dariell Cano

• My favorite tracks are “Dulce” because any girl would want this one dedicated to her, and “Dime Que Hago” porque de tristeza me voy a morir 

• “Limerencia” By: Dannylux

• My favorite tracks are “No Te Quiero Perder” which I got to see LIVE and “Respuestas” because ya se lo que escondes 

This genre has become popularized for several reasons; just as any person does in this world, we all go through hardships and heartbreaks, and it's nice to listen to music where others can relate to you. It makes you feel like less of an outcast and gives you a sense of belonging. If there's one thing that humans want more than anything in this world, it‘s to be accepted and fit in. It’s in human nature to follow the masses, and there’s nothing wrong with wanting to fit in just as much as there’s nothing wrong with wanting to stand out. 

This genre embraces heartbreak, limerence, depression, and romance that kills.  Most people don’t want to listen to sad music if they’re already sad but little do they know that there's so much to the genre than just that. Love is the biggest inspiration behind the genre and all the music written into it, and with that being said, you can either love in a Dariell Cano “Dulce” type of way or in a Dannylux “Respuestas” type of way. As for me, I’m currently in an Erre “DISTRACCIONES” type of situation, but oh well, we can’t have it all. 

“Indie Sierreño” and “Sad Sierreño” are in my top five genres list and it’s definitely worth falling down the rabbit hole into because every single song is insanely good. My favorite part about his genre is that yes, there are so many talented artists in any genre out there, but everyone doing this style is a big romantic at heart and I just relate to it on a different level. Whether you choose to love someone in a melancholy way or declare your love for them from the mountaintops (or sierras), this genre will always have a song perfect for you no matter the occasion.