Odisea is the debut album from Los Retros, out April 3rd on Stones Throw. It draws inspiration from 1980s Japanese City Pop, and marks a new creative chapter from Mauri Tapia shaped by growth, reflection, and renewed purpose. Mauri also delivers his new song “Secret Admirer” to coincide with the pre-order of Cobalt Blue 2LP vinyl.
Listen: Los Retros – “Secret Admirer”
Pre-Order & Pre-Save: Los Retros – Odisea
It’s been a journey since Tapia first captured hearts with the lo-fi magic of “Someone To Spend Time With”, recorded at the age of 17 on a humble four-track in his parents’ living room. Now 25, the Oxnard native has stepped into an entirely new season of life – he married his high school sweetheart, became a father to two daughters, and embraced spiritual faith. Earlier this year, he revisited his start with Early Days (2016-2019), a compilation of unreleased music from Mauri’s teen years.
Through it all, he’s kept the same DIY spirit, writing and recording every note himself, only now in a home studio of his own. On Odisea, Tapia blends neon-lit City Pop with the melodic sensibility of Latin American soft rock. Mauri’s deep love for 70s and 80s jazz fusion records anchors the album, yet Tapia filters those influences through a modern lens. Odisea features two Japanese vocalists, – Hikari on “Doves” and HITOMITOI on the closing track “爆ぜるもの”.
“Jazz fusion has become my favorite genre and greatest inspiration of all time,” Mauri says. “I made this album for the version of me that first fell in love with music. It’s my full-circle moment – a sonic hat tip to my beginnings – as well as a nod to the forefathers of jazz fusion and city pop for leaving us with great music.”
Los Retros heads to Indio, CA to perform at Coachella on April 12th and 19th.
