Alma Muñeca Channels Growth, Grief & Desire in Dreamy New EP “Deseo un Brillo”
Austin, TX–based art-pop band Alma Muñeca invites listeners into a world of emotion and introspection with their ethereal new EP, Deseo un Brillo, out now on all digital platforms. Blending nostalgic synths with poetic Spanish lyricism, the project explores love, heartbreak, and the bittersweet process of growing up.
The release arrives alongside the shimmering single “Melancolía,” a Brat summer-inspired track that captures the ache of nostalgia, the sting of self-discovery, and the longing to return to innocence. It’s a dreamy, sweaty, and emotional ode to change, filled with lush synths and deeply personal lyrics that resonate long after the first listen.
Tomorrow, October 25, the band will celebrate their new chapter with an official EP release party at Elysium in Austin, joined by local acts Almost Heaven and I Wear Your Chain.
A Soundtrack to Growing Up
“Melancolía” came to life naturally and quickly during what the band calls Brat summer. Produced by Ernesto Grey(Font, Farmer’s Wife, Loveme, The Opera), the track builds from two simple chords into a chorus that bursts with emotion.
“It’s two simple chords and a dance beat that lead the verses, but what makes the song really special to me is its chorus… it skips the first beat and hits you with a wall of arpeggiated synths,” says Grey.
Lead vocalist Cocó Allegra adds,
“It’s about the melancholy you feel as you grow up and realize your parents and family are human too — flawed, imperfect, and no longer the superheroes you once thought they were.”
That emotional duality, hope and heartbreak, innocence and maturity, defines Deseo un Brillo.
Healing Through Desire, Love, and Heartbreak
Written during a period of deep reflection, the five-track EP journeys through heartbreak, self-discovery, and acceptance. Allegra explains,
“How can I feel so passionate and loving about someone yet also so angry and sad? These songs helped me freeze time to find healing and self-confidence through the chaos.”
Producer Ernesto Grey, who grew up in Mexico before moving to Austin, describes the project as the culmination of his lifelong musical evolution:
“I grew up listening to 2000s Latin pop and later found my way to artists like Trent Reznor, Thom Yorke, and Jon Hopkins. With Alma Muñeca, I’m finally making the introspective, emotional pop I’ve always wanted to create.”
A Fusion of Nostalgia & Modern Edge
Musically, Deseo un Brillo feels like a dream between two worlds, classic Latin emotion meets modern electronic experimentation. Allegra cites Oscar D’León’s “Llorarás”, FKA Twigs’ “Oh My Love,” and Fiona Apple’s “I Want You to Love Me” as inspirations for her blend of vulnerability and strength.
The previously released single “Anhelo” offered a glimpse into that balance, earning praise from critics and playlists alike. Atwood Magazine described it as “explosive, self-assured, and just the right amount of experimental,” while The Line of Best Fit featured it in their New Music Discovery playlist.
With Deseo un Brillo, Alma Muñeca proves that heartbreak can be beautiful, a space where nostalgia meets growth, and vulnerability transforms into empowerment.
Deseo un Brillo is available now on all streaming platforms.
EP Release Party:
📍 Elysium – Austin, TX
📅 October 25, 2025
🎶 Featuring Almost Heaven & I Wear Your Chain
