In an exclusive conversation with AMFM Magazine’s Paul Salfen, Liz Trujillo—singer, guitarist, and the driving force behind Conexión Divina—opened up about her deeply personal evolution as she prepares for key moments at South by Southwest (SXSW) in Austin. The interview arrives on the heels of the February 6, 2026, release of 18, the project’s sophomore album now centered solely on Trujillo, marking a bold new chapter for the Mexican-American sierreño act.
Released via Sony Music Latin and available on all digital platforms, 18 comprises 13 tracks that serve as an open letter from Trujillo, reflecting the pivotal experiences she’s navigated since turning 18—love in its many forms, heartbreak, loss, identity, family ties, and emotional maturation. The title itself is deliberate, anchoring the album in that transformative age when the foundations of her artistic voice began to solidify. Blending original songs penned by Trujillo with thoughtful covers of legendary artists like Jeanette (“Soy Rebelde”), Los Temerarios, Mon Laferte (“Antes de Ti”), and others, 18 bridges influences from her past while asserting her unique perspective.
Musically rooted in contemporary sierreño, the album adopts a stripped-down, sensitive approach that emphasizes raw emotion over production flourishes. Each track feels confessional and vulnerable, making 18 Trujillo’s most honest and intimate body of work to date. Timed for Valentine’s season, it explores love without romantic idealization—portraying its realities through ruptures, farewells, scars, self-love, familial bonds, friendships, and romantic entanglements.
The standout focus track, “Aunque Sea en Dos,” delivers one of the album’s most powerful emotional punches. With unflinching lyrics, it captures the dissolution of a relationship, shifting from longing to the urgent need for closure: “Mi corazón necesita tu despedida … curó la herida con la bebida” (My heart needs your goodbye… I healed the wound with drinking). Accompanied by a poignant lyric video, the song embodies the bittersweet moment when love fractures, leaving only the pursuit of peace—even if fragmented.
Originally formed in 2022 as the first all-female trio in the sierreño space—featuring Trujillo alongside Ashlee Valenzuela and Sandra Calixto—Conexión Divina quickly rose with their debut Tres Mundos (2023), earning a Latin Grammy nomination for Best New Artist. Highlights included Coachella performances and hits like “Paso a Pasito” (featuring Gabito Ballesteros) and “Odio.” Now evolving into a project led by Trujillo, the group continues to infuse the traditionally male-dominated regional Mexican genre with queer visibility, female empowerment, and authentic storytelling. As an openly gay Gen Z artist from South Central Los Angeles (with roots in Michoacán and Mexico City), Trujillo prioritizes representation, vulnerability, and deeper themes beyond surface-level partying common in modern sierreño.
In the interview, Trujillo expressed her excitement after years of waiting amid legal hurdles: “I’ve been waiting so long for this album to release… It’s like closing a chapter.” She emphasized authenticity, faith, and maturity: “I want to be fully myself… Authenticity goes way more than surface-level stuff.” Her advice to aspiring artists? Focus on self-discovery rather than trends.
With social media promotion in full swing and potential live shows on the horizon—including opportunities at SXSW—Trujillo is poised to connect with a new generation through emotional honesty and cultural pride. 18 isn’t just music; it’s a testament to resilience, healing, and unapologetic truth from one of música mexicana’s most compelling young voices.
Stream 18 now on all platforms, and follow Conexión Divina for updates on SXSW appearances and beyond. The genre’s future feels more inclusive and heartfelt than ever.
