La Bala is the new album from Ana Tijoux who made a nice splash with her prior record, one of my faves from a couple years back 1977. This new album builds on all the promise in that record, broadening the variety of sounds and samples that Ana flows and sings over. At times the beat and flow are forceful, almost martial in their character, (particularly on the first couple of tracks, “La Bala” and “Shock”) while at other times there is a greater sense of intimacy and depth of emotion on display (such as on “Mi Mitad,” “Quizas” or “Sacar La Voz”). The range that Tijoux displays is something that is unfortunately far too rare in American Hip-Hop. “Quizas” is my favorite track, mixing Ana’s spanish flow about the possibilities of reconnection with an old friend over a mellow beat anchored by piano that picks up into almost Mizell Bros. territory when the English chorus comes in. La Bala is a truly exceptional album from one of the best MCs making music right now, definitely an early fave for 2012.