The Mexico City-based Mexican Institute of Sound consists not of an “institute,” or even a band. It’s just one man, Camilo Lara. Lara amuses himself by using the name “Mexican Institute of Sound.” [...]]]> The Mexican Institute Of Sound Returns : NPR Music.

The Mexico City-based Mexican Institute of Sound consists not of an “institute,” or even a band. It’s just one man, Camilo Lara. Lara amuses himself by using the name “Mexican Institute of Sound.” In Spanish, the initials are almost the same as the Mexican Institute of Health — the most bureaucratic institution he could think of.

Lara’s new album, Soy Sauce, is the talk of the alternative music scene in Mexico City. It pushes eclecticism to a new level by mixing mariachi with hip-hop, rock and electronica, while some songs feel reminiscent of ’80s British New Wave. There’s a love song, “Te Quiero Mucho,” which disintegrates into the braying of barnyard animals. He has a Mexican pop star, Paty Cantu, who usually sings soulful love songs in Spanish, appearing in a hip-hop tune in English.