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Photo – Le3ay Studio

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Photo – Le3ay Studio

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20-year-old Música Mexicana break-out artist Ivan Cornejo (@ivancornejoo) releases his new album ‘MIRADA’ today via Zaragoza Records / Interscope Records (listen here) alongside the release of a new music video for his title track “Mirada” (watch here). He will celebrate the release with a Complex pop-up event today and tomorrow in Los Angeles.

It is no coincidence that Cornejo’s third album is titled ‘MIRADA.’ This poetic word – Spanish for gaze – underscores the California-born singer/songwriter’s Mexican roots, but also the soulful lyricism that permeates every single one of the session’s 12 tracks.

“I fell in love with that word through the songwriting process for this album,” he says. “It felt soft and gentle. It’s a deep word, and I love how it looks visually. The title track references a gaze from your lover, the kind of look that you may perceive from someone who’s falling out of love with you. A gaze can forever change your life.”

The single “Mirada” follows “Intercambio Injusto” which is spotlighted in a new Apple short film featuring Ivan’s acting debut. The film, titled ¡Suerte!, was directed by Cliqua (Pasqual Gutierrez and RJ Sanchez) and shot on iPhone 15 Pro. ¡Suerte! is an emotional journey told through the stories of iconic Mexican loteria personalities. Through the characters, Cornejo finds the inspiration necessary to make music from the heart based on his cultural heritage and rich family traditions. The film also features a cameo by Maria Zardoya of The Marias.

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Photo – Le3ay Studio

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From the epic cinematic glow of opening cut “Sale Para Ser Feliz” – with its solemn touches of tambourine, deep bass and spiraling guitar lines to the exuberant, brassy funk of “Atención,” the songs on ‘MIRADA’ are the sonic equivalent of an intimate sentimental diary by a young artist who still experiences his share of growing pains, even as he is in the process of becoming an international music star. The album also focuses on the memories from past summers that linger in the soul.

“I wanted ‘MIRADA’ to feel like the long summer nights of my high school years,” he reflects. “Hanging out with friends, going for late night drives, lighting up bonfires at the beach. Even though I dropped out of high school during my junior year, I do get nostalgic about those summer evenings and their memories – both the good, and the bad.”

‘MIRADA’ also amplifies Cornejo’s transcendent collaboration with producer and friend Frank Río. “We met about two years ago, and our working relationship has only grown,” he enthuses. “We learn so much from each other. Frank comes from a DJ background, and he can create all these crazy, abstract beats. We understand each other completely.”

Not surprisingly, Cornejo’s music – a sophisticated combination of sad sierreño roots and hazy, alternative-rock vibes – resonates with young listeners who identify with his bicultural sensibility, quiet demeanor and the need to let the songs speak for themselves. With over 2 billion combined streams, he is one of the most consumed Música Mexicana artists in the U.S. The album’s recent singles – “Aquí Te Espero,” “Dónde Estás,” and “Baby Please” – have enjoyed massive success across streaming platforms.

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Photo – Edgar Daniel

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Cornejo’s cosmovision is also the product of a childhood spent in a household that was incredibly diverse musically. His parents listened to the classics of Regional Mexican and Latin pop, while his brother favored alternative rock, and his sister had a soft spot for EDM. After scanning his record collection, he names the 2017 debut by ambient-pop band Cigarettes After Sex and AM, the fifth Arctic Monkeys album, as the two albums that he would take with him to the proverbial desert island.

“I listen to a lot of grungy rock bands,” he adds with a smile. “You can express your influences through the lyrics and the singing melodies. But the guitar allows you to play in the style of your favorite groups. When you listen to the guitar licks on MIRADA, there’s a lot of Arctic Monkeys and Tame Impala in them. The guitar allows me to channel the Radiohead in me.”

As he prepares for a 26-date Fall tour across the U.S. that will include stops in smaller markets like Alabama, Nebraska, Kentucky and Arkansas, Cornejo reflects on the beauty of growing up in California with deep emotional ties to two different languages.

“I’m very grateful to my parents,” he says. “I feel that my Mexican heritage is one of the biggest reasons why I’m doing what I’m doing. Sometimes you feel a bit of the weight on your shoulders – not knowing exactly who you are, or where you belong. But being part of two cultures is beautiful. It definitely feels like a superpower.”

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IVAN CORNEJO
MIRADA Tour

Tickets and Info

Thursday, August 15 – Estero, FL – Hertz Arena
Friday, August 16 – Tampa, FL – Yuengling Center
Saturday, August 17 – Hollywood, FL – Hard Rock Live
Friday, August 23 – Nashville, TN – Ascend Amphitheater
Saturday, August 24 – Huntsville, AL – Orion Amphitheatre
Sunday, August 25 – Louisville, KY – Iroquois Amphitheater
Thursday, August 29 – Richmond, VA – Virginia Credit Union
Friday, August 30 – Raleigh, NC – Red Hat Amphitheatre
Saturday, August 31 – Fairfax, VA – Eagle Bank Arena
Thursday, September 5 – Columbus, OH – Kemba Live!
Friday, September 6 – Reading, PA – Santander Arena
Saturday, September 7 – Bridgeport, CT – Hartford Healthcare Amphitheater
Sunday, September 8 – Boston, MA – Orpheum Theatre
Friday, September 13 – Kansas City, MO – Arvest Bank Theatre – Midland
Saturday, September 14 – Omaha, NE – Liberty First Credit Arena
Sunday, September 15 – Minneapolis, MN – The Armory
Thursday, September 19 – Rogers, AR – Walmart AMP
Friday, September 20 – Ft. Worth, TX – Dickies Arena
Saturday, September 21 – Corpus Christi, TX – AmericanBank Center
Wednesday, September 25 – Wichita, KS – INTRUST Bank Arena
Friday, September 27 – Odessa, TX – Ector County Coliseum
Saturday, September 28 – San Antonio, TX – Frost Bank Center
Friday, October 4 – Colorado Springs, CO – Ford Amphitheatre
Sunday, October 6 – Tucson, AZ – Tucson Arena
Saturday, October 12 – Anaheim, CA – Honda Center
Sunday, October 13 – Palm Desert, CA – Acrisure Arena
Saturday, October 19 – Tijuana, BC – Tecate Peninsula Festival 

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Follow IVAN CORNEJO
Website – Instagram – Facebook – Spotify

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Photo – Le3ay Studio

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AMNPLIFY – DB