Multi Viral
| Multi_Viral | ||||
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| Studio album by Calle 13 | ||||
| Released | March 1, 2014 | |||
| Recorded | Música Satánica Studios, San Juan | |||
| Genre | Latin, alternative hip hop, urban | |||
| Language | Spanish | |||
| Label | El Abismo | |||
| Producer | Visitante | |||
| Calle 13 chronology | ||||
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| Singles from Multi_Viral | ||||
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| Professional ratings | |
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| Review scores | |
| Source | Rating |
| Rolling Stone |   |
| AllMusic | |
Multi_Viral is the fifth studio album from Puerto Rican band Calle 13, released on March 1, 2014. It marks the band's debut release via their new independent label, El Abismo, since they parted ways with Sony Music Latin.
The album was mixed at Electric Lady Studios, in Greenwich Village, New York City.
During the recording of the album in San Juan, Visitante saw the light bulbs in the studio burning out one by one as the months passed. He promised not to replace any of them until the album was finished. The last lamp burned one week before the album was ready, and Visitante said he would continue to work in the dark.
The album was released on March 1, 2014, coinciding with the band's debut performance of their South American tour at the Estadio Arquitecto Ricardo Etcheverry in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Every attendee of the tour received a digital download card for the album. This is part of the "multiviral" concept of the album, as the band's composer and instrumentalist Visitante explains:
Vocalist and lyricist Residente added that the album will be promoted not by traditional advertising but by word of mouth, virally.
On February 27, NPR Music made the entire album available for listening via streaming.
Residente has described the lyrics of the album as "more existential" and went on to say: "Suddenly, I've started to be more aware, or worried, about living and dying. I thought, maybe I can do something bigger than politics".
The album opening track was described by Jon Pareles as "an elegant chamber-pop setting, with hints of Beatles harmony". It will feature spoken words by Uruguayan writer Eduardo Galeano.
The track "Adentro" criticizes gangsta rappers and their lyrics, considered aggressive by Residente but also shows Residente apologizing for insulting Luis Fortuño, then governor of Puerto Rico, during a 2009 speech. Working further on self-criticism, Residente mentions a Maserati he bought during Calle 13 first successful years, something he later regretted. So much that the video for the song features Residente smashing the car, not before the "gangsta-influenced Puerto Rican youth" throw their guns and gold through its open windows onto the seats. Residente destroyed the car using a baseball bat provided by Willie Mays, a hero to Residente. Commenting on the idea of the song and the video, Residente said:
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Wikipedia