NPR Music Alt.Latino: Songs she loves: Sofia Rei and the magic of the human voice
Mar 25, 2026
Sofia Rei, an Argentine vocalist and composer known for layered, voice-as-instrument work, shares songs that shaped her sound. She discusses her album Antónima, collaborations with Pan-Latin women artists, and blending folk, electronics, and experimental vocal textures. Short moments explore influences like Juana Molina, Tune-Yards, and Rita Indiana.
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Album Origin From A Playlist
- Sofia Rei built Antónima from a playlist of female Latin artists mixing folk, electronica, Afro-Caribbean and experimental pop.
- She aimed for an artisanal marriage of electronic textures and the DNA of traditional rhythms across recordings in several countries.
Preserve Rhythm DNA When Using Electronics
- Work meticulously on every sound so electronic elements keep a rhythm's cultural DNA intact.
- Sofia and JC crafted each instrument, virtual or acoustic, to avoid a diluted mix when blending traditions and electronics.
Intentional Guest Placement
- Sofia intentionally placed guest artists where they could "shine" so the record feels pan-Latin yet coherent.
- She tailored each collaboration to fit the song's role, avoiding a mismatched "soup" of influences.