Description
Los Lobos – Native Sons – Coke Bottle Clear Vinyl Record
Independent retail color exclusive.
Pressed on 2 LPs with a 4th side etching.
A Grammy-Winning Tribute to Los Angeles’ Musical Heritage
Released on July 30, 2021, by New West Records, Native Sons is the 17th studio album from the legendary East Los Angeles band Los Lobos. Known for their extraordinary ability to weave together rock and roll, Chicano rock, blues, folk, R&B, soul, Tex-Mex, and traditional Mexican music, Los Lobos crafted this project as a powerful love letter to the city that shaped them: Los Angeles. Instead of filling the album with new original material, the band chose to honor their hometown’s eclectic and diverse musical legacy through carefully selected covers of Los Angeles artists who inspired them, along with one brand-new original track, the title song “Native Sons.” The result is an album that functions not only as a tribute but also as a cultural and musical map of one of the most important music cities in the world.
By the time Native Sons arrived, Los Lobos had been together for nearly five decades. They had already earned Grammy Awards, a reputation as one of America’s most versatile bands, and recognition for blending traditional Mexican roots music with American rock and folk traditions. With Native Sons, they turned their gaze outward toward the artists of Los Angeles who influenced them, while also reflecting inward on their own journey as musicians who grew up in East L.A.’s vibrant and culturally diverse neighborhoods. This was not a random covers project—it was a thoughtfully curated celebration of their roots, their influences, and their identity as proud Angelenos.
The tracklist of Native Sons demonstrates both the band’s reverence for tradition and their unparalleled versatility. The record opens with the original title track “Native Son,” the only new composition, which sets the thematic tone of pride, belonging, and gratitude. From there, Los Lobos dive into “Love Special Delivery” by Thee Midniters, one of the most influential Chicano rock bands from East L.A., injecting the track with raw soul and rock energy. They revisit Chicano music history again with “Los Chucos Suaves” by Lalo Guerrero, often considered the father of Chicano music, celebrating the 1940s Pachuco culture with authenticity and swing. The album also highlights Los Angeles’ pivotal role in folk and rock with “Bluebird / For What It’s Worth” by Buffalo Springfield, a medley that ties together psychedelic rock textures and the socially conscious protest spirit of the 1960s.
The band’s range continues with a cover of “Flat Top Joint” by The Blasters, a group they shared stages with during their early rise, making the choice deeply personal. They tackle the garage rock classic “Farmer John” by The Premiers with grit and groove, demonstrating their ability to reimagine rock staples with their East L.A. flair. On “Dichoso,” originally by Latin jazz percussionist Willie Bobo, Los Lobos lean into their Latin jazz influences, showcasing their mastery of rhythm and improvisation. Another highlight is their soulful rendering of “Never No More” by blues legend Percy Mayfield, which allows them to connect with Los Angeles’ deep R&B and blues traditions.
Each of the 13 tracks on Native Sons works as both a standalone reinterpretation and as part of a larger tapestry of Los Angeles’ diverse musical heritage. By pulling from garage rock, folk rock, R&B, soul, Chicano rock, and Latin jazz, Los Lobos capture the spirit of a city that thrives on cultural exchange and constant reinvention. The album is not a museum piece—it feels alive, as though these songs were reborn through Los Lobos’ unique lens. Their distinctive sound, anchored by David Hidalgo’s emotive vocals and multi-instrumental talent, Cesar Rosas’ gritty guitar, Louie Pérez’s songwriting, Steve Berlin’s saxophone and keys, and Conrad Lozano’s bass and guitarrón, ensures that every cover feels deeply personal.
Native Sons was met with glowing reviews. Music journalists praised Los Lobos’ ability to make these covers entirely their own while still respecting the original spirit. The album was hailed as both a celebration and a history lesson, with many reviewers noting how seamlessly it moves between genres without ever losing its cohesion. In recognition of its artistry, Native Sons won the Grammy Award for Best Americana Album in 2022, further cementing Los Lobos’ reputation as one of America’s most important and enduring bands.
Commercially and culturally, the album reaffirmed Los Lobos’ role as musical storytellers who bridge generations and genres. While many bands of their era lean on nostalgia, Los Lobos continue to expand their artistry by revisiting the past in ways that illuminate the present. Their decision to focus on Los Angeles was not only personal but symbolic: the city’s diverse soundscape mirrors the band’s eclectic identity. Just as Los Angeles is a crossroads of cultures, Los Lobos are a crossroads of musical traditions, and Native Sons captures this perfectly.
The legacy of Native Sons lies in its role as a cultural document. It is both a tribute to Los Angeles’ musical giants and a reaffirmation of Los Lobos’ place within that lineage. The album connects the dots between Chicano rock pioneers, folk-rock revolutionaries, garage bands, and jazz innovators, presenting Los Angeles as a city that has always thrived on musical hybridity. For longtime fans, the album offers new ways of hearing familiar songs; for newcomers, it serves as both an introduction to Los Lobos and a guided tour through L.A.’s rich musical landscape.
Los Lobos – Native Sons (2021) is far more than just a covers album—it is a Grammy-winning love letter to Los Angeles and a powerful reminder of the band’s artistry, adaptability, and cultural importance. By weaving together diverse genres, honoring local legends, and contributing their own original composition, Los Lobos created a record that is celebratory, educational, and deeply personal. It stands as one of the most significant albums in their career and a must-listen for anyone interested in the history of Los Angeles music, the legacy of Chicano rock, or the timeless artistry of Los Lobos.
Brand new, never played and still sealed in the factory plastic
Track Listing
Love Special Delivery
Misery
Bluebird / For What It’s Worth
Los Chucos Suaves
Jamaica Say You Will
Never No More
Native Son
Farmer John
Dichoso
Sail On, Sailor
The World Is A Ghetto
Flat Top Joint
Where Lovers Go
