Girl Ultra & Chromeo’s Dave 1 Want to Wave Their ‘Flag of PDA’ and Bring Sexy Back to the Club Via New LP ‘RRRomeo’

In an intriguing musical partnership, Mexican singer Mariana de Miguel, known as Girl Ultra, teamed with Dave 1 from the Canadian electro-funk duo Chromeo to craft the album 'RRRomeo,' set for release in October 2020. Their collaboration marks a convergence of diverse musical backgrounds and a shared desire to reintroduce a raw, sensuous energy into contemporary club music.

Mariana’s journey into the music scene was shaped early by Mexico City's vibrant nightlife, which she accessed even as a teenager through unconventional means. It was during these formative years that she first encountered Chromeo’s distinctive funk sound, which resonated through the local indie and electronic circuits. Years later, the opportunity arose for her to work directly with Dave 1, creating a uniquely personal and dynamic project.

Dave 1 came across Girl Ultra’s music during her emergence from the SoundCloud-driven R&B wave around 2017-2018, leading to a digital friendship that eventually materialized into a studio collaboration during the pandemic. Initially envisioning a traditional R&B-funk album, Dave 1 soon adapted when Girl Ultra expressed a desire to depart from conventional R&B, instead incorporating a wider palette of sounds and moods.

'RRRomeo' reflects this evolution, traversing analog funk, synth-pop, darkwave, dub, and tropical textures, all tinted by the nocturnal atmosphere of Mexico City. The album showcases a blend of two distinct artistic identities, underpinned by an unusual creative process where Dave 1 entrusted Girl Ultra with full access to the production stems, an uncommon gesture highlighting their mutual respect and trust.

The record’s sonic foundation is described as pristine funk, which Girl Ultra reinterpreted through her affinity for darker, textured soundscapes. Her influences draw from a diverse musical upbringing, with exposure to ’80s rock, romantic pop, and traditional Mexican music, fostering an inclusive approach to genre and style. This eclecticism is central to the album’s character, capturing the complexity and contradictions of her hometown.

Tracks like the opening "El Groove de Romeo" invite listeners into a seductive exploration of desire and romance, setting a tone that is both intimate and provocative. Collaborative efforts, including a song featuring Buscabulla, delve into themes of deception and addiction within relationships, framed by haunting, looped instrumental layers that evoke a shadowy emotional landscape. Other compositions, such as "Denisse," convey narrative storytelling with a lighter, tropical-reggae influence, reflecting personal memories and friendships.

The album’s titular figure, 'RRRomeo,' symbolizes a composite of romantic experiences and influences, embodying the complexities of intimacy and attraction. Rather than focusing solely on nostalgia or heartbreak, the project emphasizes reclaiming physical desire and spontaneity in social spaces. This intent is underscored by a critique of contemporary nightlife culture’s increasing self-awareness and digital surveillance, which, according to the artist, inhibits genuine expression and connection.

Visually, 'RRRomeo' reinforces this ethos through bold imagery that celebrates unabashed physical affection, notably featuring a photograph capturing an extended, unfiltered kiss. This image serves as a visual manifesto for the album’s themes, challenging prevailing norms around public displays of affection and encouraging an embrace of raw, unmediated human desire.

In summary, 'RRRomeo' emerges as a multifaceted work that merges Girl Ultra’s introspective, genre-blending artistry with Dave 1’s funk-rooted production expertise. The album navigates the intersections of cultural identity, musical heritage, and modern social dynamics, aiming to revitalize the sensual vibrancy of the club experience through a nuanced and authentic lens. While details about further promotional plans remain limited, the project stands as a notable entry in the evolving landscape of Latinx and electronic-funk fusion.