31 October 2026 – Magdalena Abrego Releases Xolo and Transforms Loss and Cultural Memory Into an Experimental Solo Debut

Guitarist, composer, and educator Magdalena Abrego has released Xolo, her debut solo album following her departure from acclaimed independent duo Deerlady. Arriving on Bandcamp on October 30 and highlighted for the Dia de los Muertos weekend on October 31, the LP offers a deeply moving introduction to an artist previously celebrated for her daring, boundary-pushing guitar virtuosity.

Rather than crafting a straightforward guitar collection, Abrego constructed an immersive sonic sanctuary addressing familial grief, ancestral connection, and the spiritual threads connecting living generations with those who came before. The title honors the xoloitzcuintli, the sacred Mexican hairless dog revered in indigenous folklore as the faithful guide accompanying souls into Mictlan, the underworld afterlife. That cultural lineage directly reflects Abrego's heritage as the daughter of Mexican immigrants raised on Chicago's South Side.

After honing her craft at the New England Conservatory of Music—where she subsequently joined the faculty—Abrego tracked Xolo in Brooklyn. She performs electric guitar, vocals, vintage synthesizers, modular electronics, and ocarina, with select acoustic contributions from bass clarinetist Allison Burik and pianist Sonya Belaya. Intimate cassette field recordings of family conversations are woven throughout, deepening the album's tender autobiographical texture.

Xolo stands as a monumental creative leap. Independent music thrives on artists bold enough to use non-traditional instrumentation to articulate complex inner landscapes. Abrego does not simply chronicle what was lost; she builds an enduring sanctuary for what remains. Explore more cutting-edge instrumental releases in our experimental music hub and check out daily updates in our news archive.