Like generations of Puerto Ricans before them, Raquel Berríos and Luis Alfredo Del Valle of experimental pop duo Buscabulla (slang for “troublemaker”) moved to the mainland United States to hustle for their dreams, but a longing for their island ran deep, never escaping their thoughts during the decade they resided there. It was in New York City that the Buscabulla sound was forged, elevated bedroom productions and unique juxtaposition of stylistic highs and lows: Raquel’s textured, high-pitched vocals counterpointed by Luis Alfredo’s poignant bassline; minimalist melodies that evoke throwback salsa and R&B; and whispery re-imaginings of catchphrases from 90s reggaeton and every-day island vernacular. Buscabulla’s first two releases, EP I (2014), co-produced by Dev Hynes, and EP II (2017), garnered attention and a growing international hunger for the band. However despite their growing successes, in early 2018, in the wake of Hurricane María having wreaked havoc on an island already immersed in economic disarray, Raquel and Luis Alfredo’s longing for their native home became too much to ignore, and they made the decision to move back to Puerto Rico. It was in this context and during this transition that Buscabulla wrote their first album, Regresa, which explored the emotional impact of returning to a devastated home. Regresa was released on May 8, 2020 on Ribbon Music with additional production by Patrick Wimberly (Chairlift). It includes collaborations with Nick Hakim, legendary Puerto Rican singer Nydia Caro and Helado Negro. In 2022, they collaborated with Bad Bunny on the song “Andrea” from his album Un Verano Sin Ti.

Sofía Valdés is a singer-songwriter born and raised in Panama, with a rich musical heritage that spans generations—from Panamanian folk to Cuban rhythms. Having lived in both the UK and the US, Sofía has spent years shaping her artistic identity, using music as a way to navigate and express her journey. Her debut EP, Ventura, was critically acclaimed, garnering attention for its lush soundscapes and heartfelt lyricism. After several years of artistic growth and sonic exploration, Sofía released her long-awaited self-titled debut album Sofía Valdés at the end of 2024. As Rolling Stone noted, the album is the result of “years of building toward something deeply personal and resonant.”