Eslabon Armado

California-based trio Eslabon Armado's name translates as "linked chain." Illustrated by their interlocking vocal harmonies and woven acoustic guitars and basses, the group's style re-frames the Regional Mexican music of ranchera with the language of sierreña music, the "music of the mountain ranges." While the rhythms and melodies are similar to those found in norteño, the (mostly) guitars-and-vocals-only approach creates a similar feeling to that of campfire music played by wandering campesino minstrels. The group's first two singles, "Con Tus Besos" and "La Trokita," both came out of nowhere and placed on the upper rungs of the Regional Mexican, Latin Songs, and Latin streaming lists. Their 2020 debut album, Tu Veneno Mortal -- which reached number one on the Mexican Regional Albums chart and the Top Latin albums -- was followed by Vibras de Noche in July and the 22-track Corta Venas in December -- both topped the Regional Mexican albums chart. After Gabriel left the group, they released 2021's Tu Veneno Mortal, Vol. 2 and 2022's Nostalgia as a duo. Upon release, it became the first Top Ten-charting regional Mexican album ever to place on the all-genre Top 200.