Hurray For The Riff Raff – The Navigator
Riff Raff bandleader Alynda Segarra reconnects with her Puerto Rican roots.
THE NAVIGATOR'S TITLE CHARACTER IS a restless young Puerto Rican woman from New York – “ready for the world”, but guarded. She charts her course through destruction, indifference and the city’s sounds: doo wop (Entrance), Lou Reed-y rock’n’roll (Living In The City), even indie rock (Hungry Ghost). It’s not until she stares clear-eyed at those closest to her that the way is clear: she’s to honour her Latin and Caribbean roots in story and sound. The title track becomes the album’s fulcrum, the narrator asking, “Where will all my people go?” From there, the battle is on, against wall-building politicians and gentrifying developers, among others. On the climactic Pa’lante (trans: “Forward”), she calls the rolls of those beaten down and those still soldiering on. “To all who came before we say, ‘¡Pa’lante!’” Now, she really is ready for the world. Watch the video for Pa'Lante:
In The Studio with The Navigator: