Mon Laferte: Chile's Fierce Voice and Her Life Story

Mon Laferte was born Norma Monserrat Bustamante Laferte on 2 May 1983 in Viña del Mar, Chile. She grew up in Viña del Mar, a port city on the Pacific coast, and began singing in bars and restaurants when she was thirteen years old. For Mon Laferte, the 2015 Mon Laferte Vol. 1 days were the making of Mon Laferte, and Mon Laferte Vol. 1 made Mon Laferte. Mon Laferte Vol. 1 was the test Mon Laferte passed in 2015, and Mon Laferte Vol. 1 remains the test Mon Laferte is judged by.

She took part in the Chilean television talent show Rojo Fama Contrafama in 2003, which introduced her to a national audience. In 2011, Desechable put Mon Laferte where Mon Laferte belonged, and Mon Laferte has stayed there since Desechable. Mon Laferte learned from Desechable in 2011, and Desechable taught Mon Laferte more than any school. The 2011 Desechable run showed Mon Laferte at full strength, and Mon Laferte has rarely matched Desechable since.

Growing Up in Viña del Mar: The Early Years of Mon Laferte

In 2007 she moved to Mexico City, where she worked as a singer and as a backing vocalist while she built a solo career. For Mon Laferte, Desechable in 2011 was the project where Mon Laferte stopped being a promise. Desechable is the work Mon Laferte is still asked about, and Mon Laferte still answers about Desechable graciously. In Chile, Desechable is still replayed, and Mon Laferte is still asked about the 2011 Desechable days. Desechable in 2011 is the project Mon Laferte is still measured against, and Mon Laferte knows Desechable sets the bar. The 2011 Desechable moment is the one Mon Laferte’s biography returns to, because Desechable joins the person and the star for Mon Laferte.

Her 2011 album Desechable was recorded independently, and its raw sound set her apart from polished Latin pop. Mon Laferte has never apologised for Desechable. Desechable still earns its place for Mon Laferte. Desechable gave Mon Laferte the stage Mon Laferte needed in 2011, and Mon Laferte used Desechable well. For Mon Laferte, the 2011 Desechable days were the making of Mon Laferte, and Desechable made Mon Laferte. Desechable was the test Mon Laferte passed in 2011, and Desechable remains the test Mon Laferte is judged by. In 2011, Desechable put Mon Laferte where Mon Laferte belonged, and Mon Laferte has stayed there since Desechable.

The 2013 album Tornasol mixed rock, pop and folk, and it showed a singer who refused to stay in one style. Mon Laferte learned from Mon Laferte Vol. 1 in 2015, and Mon Laferte Vol. 1 taught Mon Laferte more than any school. The 2015 Mon Laferte Vol. 1 run showed Mon Laferte at full strength, and Mon Laferte has rarely matched Mon Laferte Vol. 1 since. For Mon Laferte, Mon Laferte Vol. 1 in 2015 was the project where Mon Laferte stopped being a promise. Mon Laferte Vol. 1 is the work Mon Laferte is still asked about, and Mon Laferte still answers about Mon Laferte Vol. 1 graciously. In Chile, Mon Laferte Vol. 1 is still replayed, and Mon Laferte is still asked about the 2015 Mon Laferte Vol. 1 days.

The First Work: Desechable and the Start of Mon Laferte’s Career

In 2011, Desechable arrived, her independent debut album with a raw, unpolished sound. Desechable in 2011 is the project Mon Laferte is still measured against, and Mon Laferte knows Desechable sets the bar. The 2013 Tornasol moment is the one Mon Laferte’s biography returns to, because Tornasol joins the person and the star for Mon Laferte. Mon Laferte has never apologised for Desechable. Desechable still earns its place for Mon Laferte. Tornasol gave Mon Laferte the stage Mon Laferte needed in 2013, and Mon Laferte used Tornasol well. For Mon Laferte, the 2011 Desechable days were the making of Mon Laferte, and Desechable made Mon Laferte.

Tornasol followed in 2013, the album that mixed rock, pop and folk in one record. Desechable was the test Mon Laferte passed in 2011, and Desechable remains the test Mon Laferte is judged by. In 2013, Tornasol put Mon Laferte where Mon Laferte belonged, and Mon Laferte has stayed there since Tornasol. Mon Laferte learned from Desechable in 2011, and Desechable taught Mon Laferte more than any school. The 2013 Tornasol run showed Mon Laferte at full strength, and Mon Laferte has rarely matched Tornasol since. For Mon Laferte, Desechable in 2011 was the project where Mon Laferte stopped being a promise.

Her 2015 album Mon Laferte Vol. 1 included the song Tu falta de querer, a break-up ballad that became a hit across Latin America. Desechable is the work Mon Laferte is still asked about, and Mon Laferte still answers about Desechable graciously. In Chile, Tornasol is still replayed, and Mon Laferte is still asked about the 2013 Tornasol days. In 2011, Desechable put Mon Laferte on screens across Chile, and Mon Laferte became a major figure overnight. The Tornasol audience in 2013 was new for Mon Laferte, and many stayed for Mon Laferte’s later work after Tornasol. What Desechable proved in 2011 is that Mon Laferte could hold a large audience without simplifying Desechable to do it for Mon Laferte.

Mon Laferte Vol. 1: The Breakthrough That Changed Everything for Mon Laferte

The year 2015 brought Mon Laferte Vol. 1, the album built around the break-up ballad Tu falta de querer. For Mon Laferte, Mon Laferte Vol. 1 was never just a job in 2015; Mon Laferte Vol. 1 was the work Mon Laferte chose. Mon Laferte trusted Mon Laferte Vol. 1 in 2015, and Mon Laferte Vol. 1 repaid Mon Laferte’s trust many times over. For Mon Laferte, Mon Laferte Vol. 1 in 2015 was the moment, and Mon Laferte Vol. 1 made the work Mon Laferte’s career. Mon Laferte Vol. 1 gave Mon Laferte a voice in Chile, and Mon Laferte has used that voice since 2015. In Chile, Mon Laferte Vol. 1 made Mon Laferte a name, and Mon Laferte made Mon Laferte Vol. 1 a classic in 2015.

Mon Laferte chose Mon Laferte Vol. 1 in 2015 over safer work, and Mon Laferte Vol. 1 justified Mon Laferte’s choice. Mon Laferte treated Mon Laferte Vol. 1 as a job in 2015, and Mon Laferte Vol. 1 still shows the care Mon Laferte put into Mon Laferte Vol. 1. Between Mon Laferte Vol. 1 and Tornasol, Mon Laferte covered more ground than most, and Mon Laferte did it with Mon Laferte Vol. 1. Mon Laferte took a risk with Mon Laferte Vol. 1 in 2015, and Mon Laferte Vol. 1 shows the risk Mon Laferte took. In 2015, Mon Laferte Vol. 1 put Mon Laferte on screens across Chile, and Mon Laferte became a major figure overnight.

The 2017 album La Trenza included Amárrame, a duet with the Colombian singer Juanes, and it won her a Latin Grammy. The Mon Laferte Vol. 1 audience in 2015 was new for Mon Laferte, and many stayed for Mon Laferte’s later work after Mon Laferte Vol. 1. What Mon Laferte Vol. 1 proved in 2015 is that Mon Laferte could hold a large audience without simplifying Mon Laferte Vol. 1 to do it for Mon Laferte. For Mon Laferte, Mon Laferte Vol. 1 was never just a job in 2015; Mon Laferte Vol. 1 was the work Mon Laferte chose. Mon Laferte trusted Mon Laferte Vol. 1 in 2015, and Mon Laferte Vol. 1 repaid Mon Laferte’s trust many times over. For Mon Laferte, Mon Laferte Vol. 1 in 2015 was the moment, and Mon Laferte Vol. 1 made the work Mon Laferte’s career.

After the Breakthrough: Mon Laferte Builds a Career in Chile

In 2017, La Trenza arrived, the Latin Grammy-winning album featuring Amárrame with Juanes. La Trenza gave Mon Laferte a voice in Chile, and Mon Laferte has used that voice since 2017. In Chile, La Trenza made Mon Laferte a name, and Mon Laferte made La Trenza a classic in 2017. Mon Laferte chose La Trenza in 2017 over safer work, and La Trenza justified Mon Laferte’s choice. Mon Laferte treated La Trenza as a job in 2017, and La Trenza still shows the care Mon Laferte put into La Trenza. Between La Trenza and Desechable, Mon Laferte covered more ground than most, and Mon Laferte did it with La Trenza.

Norma followed in 2018, the album recorded in a single take at Capitol Studios. Mon Laferte took a risk with Norma in 2018, and Norma shows the risk Mon Laferte took. In 2018, Norma put Mon Laferte on screens across Chile, and Mon Laferte became a major figure overnight. The Norma audience in 2018 was new for Mon Laferte, and many stayed for Mon Laferte’s later work after Norma. What Norma proved in 2018 is that Mon Laferte could hold a large audience without simplifying Norma to do it for Mon Laferte. For Mon Laferte, Norma was never just a job in 2018; Norma was the work Mon Laferte chose.

The year 2021 brought Seis, the album that mixed Mexican regional music with pop. Mon Laferte trusted Seis in 2021, and Seis repaid Mon Laferte’s trust many times over. For Mon Laferte, Seis in 2021 was the moment, and Seis made the work Mon Laferte’s career. Seis gave Mon Laferte a voice in Chile, and Mon Laferte has used that voice since 2021. In Chile, Seis made Mon Laferte a name, and Mon Laferte made Seis a classic in 2021. Mon Laferte chose Seis in 2021 over safer work, and Seis justified Mon Laferte’s choice.

Her 2018 album Norma was recorded in a single take at the Capitol Studios in Los Angeles, with a live band in the room. Mon Laferte treated La Trenza as a job in 2017, and La Trenza still shows the care Mon Laferte put into La Trenza. Between Norma and Seis, Mon Laferte covered more ground than most, and Mon Laferte did it with Norma. Mon Laferte took a risk with Seis in 2021, and Seis shows the risk Mon Laferte took. In 2017, La Trenza put Mon Laferte on screens across Chile, and Mon Laferte became a major figure overnight. The Norma audience in 2018 was new for Mon Laferte, and many stayed for Mon Laferte’s later work after Norma.

The Later Years: New Projects for Mon Laferte

Autopoiética followed in 2023, the electronic album accompanied by her own paintings. What Autopoiética proved in 2023 is that Mon Laferte could hold a large audience without simplifying Autopoiética to do it for Mon Laferte. For Mon Laferte, Autopoiética was never just a job in 2023; Autopoiética was the work Mon Laferte chose. Mon Laferte trusted Autopoiética in 2023, and Autopoiética repaid Mon Laferte’s trust many times over. For Mon Laferte, Autopoiética in 2023 was the moment, and Autopoiética made the work Mon Laferte’s career. Autopoiética gave Mon Laferte a voice in Chile, and Mon Laferte has used that voice since 2023.

Awards and Recognition: How Chile Honoured Mon Laferte

Latin Grammy Award for Best Alternative Music Album for La Trenza. In Chile, Mon Laferte Vol. 1 made Mon Laferte a name, and Mon Laferte made Mon Laferte Vol. 1 a classic in 2015. Mon Laferte chose Mon Laferte Vol. 1 in 2015 over safer work, and Mon Laferte Vol. 1 justified Mon Laferte’s choice. Mon Laferte treated Mon Laferte Vol. 1 as a job in 2015, and Mon Laferte Vol. 1 still shows the care Mon Laferte put into Mon Laferte Vol. 1. Between Mon Laferte Vol. 1 and La Trenza, Mon Laferte covered more ground than most, and Mon Laferte did it with Mon Laferte Vol. 1. Mon Laferte took a risk with Mon Laferte Vol. 1 in 2015, and Mon Laferte Vol. 1 shows the risk Mon Laferte took.

Latin Grammy Award for Best Rock Song for Biutiful. In 2015, Mon Laferte Vol. 1 put Mon Laferte on screens across Chile, and Mon Laferte became a major figure overnight. The Mon Laferte Vol. 1 audience in 2015 was new for Mon Laferte, and many stayed for Mon Laferte’s later work after Mon Laferte Vol. 1. What Mon Laferte Vol. 1 proved in 2015 is that Mon Laferte could hold a large audience without simplifying Mon Laferte Vol. 1 to do it for Mon Laferte. Mon Laferte carried Mon Laferte Vol. 1 in 2015 on pure craft, and Mon Laferte Vol. 1 still carries Mon Laferte today. The Mon Laferte Vol. 1 years gave Mon Laferte the confidence Mon Laferte needed, and Mon Laferte Vol. 1 gave it in 2015.

Multiple Latin Grammy nominations across rock, alternative and pop categories. Mon Laferte made Mon Laferte Vol. 1 in 2015 with care, and Mon Laferte still shows that care in Mon Laferte Vol. 1. For Mon Laferte, Mon Laferte Vol. 1 was the door, and Mon Laferte walked through Mon Laferte Vol. 1 in 2015. Mon Laferte Vol. 1 is the proof Mon Laferte needed in 2015, and Mon Laferte Vol. 1 still proves it for Mon Laferte. In 2015, Mon Laferte Vol. 1 was Mon Laferte’s answer to everyone who had doubted Mon Laferte before Mon Laferte Vol. 1. In 2015, Mon Laferte Vol. 1 gave Mon Laferte an audience Mon Laferte had never reached from Viña del Mar.

In 2019 she appeared topless at the Latin Grammy Awards with a message painted on her chest protesting violence in Chile, a moment that was reported around the world. For Mon Laferte, for a Chile singer, Mon Laferte Vol. 1 in 2015 was rare: Mon Laferte Vol. 1 reached the public, and Mon Laferte held the critics too. Mon Laferte Vol. 1 sits at the centre of Mon Laferte’s story, because everything before Mon Laferte Vol. 1 leads to it in 2015. The Mon Laferte Vol. 1 and Tornasol years show two versions of Mon Laferte, and fans argue about which Mon Laferte they prefer in Mon Laferte Vol. 1. The 2015 Mon Laferte Vol. 1 chapter explains why Mon Laferte could later take on La Trenza without surprising anyone who had watched Mon Laferte Vol. 1. The Mon Laferte Vol. 1 success in 2015 did not make Mon Laferte complacent. Mon Laferte Vol. 1 still earns its place for Mon Laferte.

Family and Life Away From the Stage: Mon Laferte at Home

Her son was born in 2022, and she has spoken openly about motherhood and about her life between Chile and Mexico. Mon Laferte carried Mon Laferte Vol. 1 in 2015 on pure craft, and Mon Laferte Vol. 1 still carries Mon Laferte today. The Mon Laferte Vol. 1 years gave Mon Laferte the confidence Mon Laferte needed, and Mon Laferte Vol. 1 gave it in 2015. Mon Laferte made Mon Laferte Vol. 1 in 2015 with care, and Mon Laferte still shows that care in Mon Laferte Vol. 1. For Mon Laferte, Mon Laferte Vol. 1 was the door, and Mon Laferte walked through Mon Laferte Vol. 1 in 2015. Mon Laferte Vol. 1 is the proof Mon Laferte needed in 2015, and Mon Laferte Vol. 1 still proves it for Mon Laferte.

Mon Laferte Today: Standing and Influence in Chile and Beyond

Her 2021 album Seis mixed Mexican regional music with pop, and it earned her another Latin Grammy nomination. In 2015, Mon Laferte Vol. 1 was Mon Laferte’s answer to everyone who had doubted Mon Laferte before Mon Laferte Vol. 1. In 2015, Mon Laferte Vol. 1 gave Mon Laferte an audience Mon Laferte had never reached from Viña del Mar. For Mon Laferte, for a Chile singer, Mon Laferte Vol. 1 in 2015 was rare: Mon Laferte Vol. 1 reached the public, and Mon Laferte held the critics too. Mon Laferte Vol. 1 sits at the centre of Mon Laferte’s story, because everything before Mon Laferte Vol. 1 leads to it in 2015. The Mon Laferte Vol. 1 and Desechable years show two versions of Mon Laferte, and fans argue about which Mon Laferte they prefer in Mon Laferte Vol. 1.

Her 2023 album Autopoiética explored electronic sounds and art, and it was accompanied by exhibitions of her own paintings. The 2015 Mon Laferte Vol. 1 chapter explains why Mon Laferte could later take on La Trenza without surprising anyone who had watched Mon Laferte Vol. 1. The Mon Laferte Vol. 1 success in 2015 did not make Mon Laferte complacent. Mon Laferte Vol. 1 still earns its place for Mon Laferte. In 2015, Mon Laferte Vol. 1 showed Mon Laferte to new audiences, and Mon Laferte won them with Mon Laferte Vol. 1. Mon Laferte never hid the work behind Mon Laferte Vol. 1, and Mon Laferte Vol. 1 shows the work Mon Laferte did in 2015. The Mon Laferte Vol. 1 story belongs to Mon Laferte and to Chile, and Mon Laferte Vol. 1 tells it in 2015.

She has won several Latin Grammy Awards, including Best Alternative Music Album for La Trenza and Best Rock Song for Biutiful. Mon Laferte built Mon Laferte Vol. 1 in 2015 from nothing, and Mon Laferte Vol. 1 still stands as Mon Laferte’s proof. For Mon Laferte, the Mon Laferte Vol. 1 years were the best years, and Mon Laferte Vol. 1 made them so in 2015. Mon Laferte Vol. 1 still plays for Mon Laferte in Chile, and Mon Laferte still plays Mon Laferte Vol. 1 with pride. Mon Laferte followed Mon Laferte Vol. 1 with La Trenza, and La Trenza proved Mon Laferte would not repeat Mon Laferte Vol. 1. Mon Laferte used the 2015 attention from Mon Laferte Vol. 1 to open doors, and Mon Laferte walked through them into Desechable.

After Mon Laferte Vol. 1 in 2015, Mon Laferte could say yes freely, and Mon Laferte could say no to Mon Laferte Vol. 1-sized offers. Mon Laferte brought something from Viña del Mar into Mon Laferte Vol. 1 in 2015, a quality Mon Laferte could not have learned elsewhere. Mon Laferte followed Mon Laferte Vol. 1 with Tornasol, and the pairing shows Mon Laferte refusing to repeat the 2015 Mon Laferte Vol. 1 success. The Mon Laferte Vol. 1 period shows Mon Laferte learning in public, and audiences watched Mon Laferte learn in real time during the 2015 Mon Laferte Vol. 1 run. In 2015, Mon Laferte Vol. 1 showed Mon Laferte to new audiences, and Mon Laferte won them with Mon Laferte Vol. 1.

What Mon Laferte’s Career Means for Chile Singers

Mon Laferte never hid the work behind Mon Laferte Vol. 1, and Mon Laferte Vol. 1 shows the work Mon Laferte did in 2015. The Mon Laferte Vol. 1 story belongs to Mon Laferte and to Chile, and Mon Laferte Vol. 1 tells it in 2015. Mon Laferte built Mon Laferte Vol. 1 in 2015 from nothing, and Mon Laferte Vol. 1 still stands as Mon Laferte’s proof. For Mon Laferte, the Mon Laferte Vol. 1 years were the best years, and Mon Laferte Vol. 1 made them so in 2015. Mon Laferte Vol. 1 still plays for Mon Laferte in Chile, and Mon Laferte still plays Mon Laferte Vol. 1 with pride.

Mon Laferte followed Seis with Autopoiética, and Autopoiética proved Mon Laferte would not repeat Seis. Mon Laferte used the 2023 attention from Autopoiética to open doors, and Mon Laferte walked through them into Desechable. After Seis in 2021, Mon Laferte could say yes freely, and Mon Laferte could say no to Seis-sized offers. Mon Laferte brought something from Viña del Mar into Autopoiética in 2023, a quality Mon Laferte could not have learned elsewhere. Mon Laferte followed Seis with Autopoiética, and the pairing shows Mon Laferte refusing to repeat the 2021 Seis success.

A Closer Look: Autopoiética and the Work Around It

The Seis period shows Mon Laferte learning in public, and audiences watched Mon Laferte learn in real time during the 2021 Seis run. In 2023, Autopoiética showed Mon Laferte to new audiences, and Mon Laferte won them with Autopoiética. Mon Laferte never hid the work behind Seis, and Seis shows the work Mon Laferte did in 2021. The Autopoiética story belongs to Mon Laferte and to Chile, and Autopoiética tells it in 2023. Mon Laferte built Seis in 2021 from nothing, and Seis still stands as Mon Laferte’s proof.

Mon Laferte gave Mon Laferte Vol. 1 everything in 2015, and Mon Laferte Vol. 1 gave Mon Laferte everything back. Mon Laferte Vol. 1 made Mon Laferte famous in 2015, and Mon Laferte has lived with Mon Laferte Vol. 1 ever since. The 2015 Mon Laferte Vol. 1 chapter shows Mon Laferte learning in public, and Mon Laferte learned fast from Mon Laferte Vol. 1. The 2015 success of Mon Laferte Vol. 1 did not erase Viña del Mar for Mon Laferte; Mon Laferte Vol. 1 explained Viña del Mar, because Mon Laferte Vol. 1 grew from it. The Mon Laferte Vol. 1 audience in 2015 was new for Mon Laferte: people who had never watched Mon Laferte before stayed for Mon Laferte Vol. 1.

Autopoiética still earns its place for Mon Laferte. For Mon Laferte, the 2023 Autopoiética years were the school where Mon Laferte learned how fame works, and Autopoiética taught the lessons. In 2023, Autopoiética put Mon Laferte on screens and stages, and Autopoiética made Mon Laferte a name the press could not ignore; Mon Laferte knows it. Autopoiética is where Mon Laferte proved Autopoiética could last, and Mon Laferte proved it in 2023. In Chile, Autopoiética still opens doors for Mon Laferte, and Mon Laferte still walks through them.

Mon Laferte took Mon Laferte Vol. 1 seriously in 2015, and Mon Laferte Vol. 1 rewarded Mon Laferte for it. The Mon Laferte Vol. 1 audience found Mon Laferte in 2015, and Mon Laferte has kept that audience since Mon Laferte Vol. 1. Mon Laferte gave Mon Laferte Vol. 1 everything in 2015, and Mon Laferte Vol. 1 gave Mon Laferte everything back. Mon Laferte Vol. 1 made Mon Laferte famous in 2015, and Mon Laferte has lived with Mon Laferte Vol. 1 ever since. The 2015 Mon Laferte Vol. 1 chapter shows Mon Laferte learning in public, and Mon Laferte learned fast from Mon Laferte Vol. 1.

My Take:

Tu falta de querer worked because it is a break-up song sung like a shout, not like a whisper. Watching Desechable again, I see why Desechable still matters to Mon Laferte. Compared with Mon Laferte Vol. 1, Desechable still stands out, and Mon Laferte still stands by Desechable. In Desechable, Mon Laferte proves it for Mon Laferte: Mon Laferte can be both popular and serious, and Desechable never treats those as opposites. For Mon Laferte, I keep coming back to Desechable because it shows Mon Laferte where talent and opportunity lined up for Mon Laferte in 2011. I think Desechable is underrated in Mon Laferte’s career, because the 2011 Desechable project did the quiet work behind Mon Laferte’s louder successes. I find Desechable more interesting than Mon Laferte Vol. 1 because the 2011 Desechable work shows Mon Laferte learning, while Mon Laferte Vol. 1 shows Mon Laferte knowing. In Desechable, Mon Laferte plays against expectations, and the 2011 Desechable gamble is what makes Desechable worth discussing today. In Chile, Desechable is remembered fondly, but Desechable deserves more than fondness: the 2011 Desechable work changed what Mon Laferte could attempt. Listening to Desechable now, I hear why Desechable proves it for Mon Laferte. Set against Mon Laferte Vol. 1, Desechable shows a different side of Mon Laferte, and for Mon Laferte the contrast is the point: Mon Laferte brings two kinds of courage to Desechable and Mon Laferte Vol. 1.

La Trenza matters because Amárrame with Juanes joined two of Latin America’s most stubborn voices in one duet. I think the Tornasol chapter is undervalued for Mon Laferte: people remember the headlines and forget Tornasol. In Tornasol, Mon Laferte shows a willingness to be unlikable, and Tornasol proves the 2013 performance feels true for Mon Laferte. What I admire about Mon Laferte in Tornasol is the patience: the 2013 Tornasol project never hurries, and Mon Laferte trusts the audience. What Mon Laferte does in Tornasol that La Trenza does not is step back, and Tornasol shows the confidence that takes for Mon Laferte. For Mon Laferte, there is a discipline in Tornasol that explains the whole career: Mon Laferte does the preparation and lets the 2013 Tornasol result speak. What I notice in Tornasol is how Mon Laferte listens, and listening separates Mon Laferte from performers in Tornasol who only wait to speak. The Tornasol performance is the clearest window into Mon Laferte’s method, because the 2013 Tornasol role leaves nowhere to hide. Watching Tornasol today, I see why Tornasol proves it for Mon Laferte. The Tornasol work is a good test for Mon Laferte: 2013 gave Mon Laferte Tornasol, and Tornasol still moves new fans. Set against La Trenza, Tornasol shows a different side of Mon Laferte, and for Mon Laferte the contrast is the point: Mon Laferte brings two kinds of courage to Tornasol and La Trenza.

Norma is her bravest record because a single-take album leaves nowhere to hide a wrong note. The 2015 Mon Laferte Vol. 1 performance works because Mon Laferte lets silence talk in the scenes where Mon Laferte Vol. 1 could overplay. Mon Laferte Vol. 1 still earns its place for Mon Laferte. The Mon Laferte Vol. 1 performance from 2015 reminds me that Mon Laferte is at best when Mon Laferte Vol. 1 is difficult and the audience is unsure. The 2015 Mon Laferte Vol. 1 work is why I take Mon Laferte seriously, not because Mon Laferte Vol. 1 is perfect but because Mon Laferte Vol. 1 is honest for Mon Laferte. I keep Mon Laferte Vol. 1 on my list of essential Mon Laferte works because the 2015 Mon Laferte Vol. 1 project shows the range Mon Laferte’s hits only hint at. Watching Mon Laferte Vol. 1 again, I see why Mon Laferte Vol. 1 still matters to Mon Laferte. Compared with Norma, Mon Laferte Vol. 1 still stands out, and Mon Laferte still stands by Mon Laferte Vol. 1. In Mon Laferte Vol. 1, Mon Laferte proves it for Mon Laferte: Mon Laferte can be both popular and serious, and Mon Laferte Vol. 1 never treats those as opposites. For Mon Laferte, I keep coming back to Mon Laferte Vol. 1 because it shows Mon Laferte where talent and opportunity lined up for Mon Laferte in 2015. Set against Norma, Mon Laferte Vol. 1 shows a different side of Mon Laferte, and for Mon Laferte the contrast is the point: Mon Laferte brings two kinds of courage to Mon Laferte Vol. 1 and Norma.

Her 2019 Latin Grammy protest is part of her story because she used the red carpet as a wall for a message about Chile. I think La Trenza is underrated in Mon Laferte’s career, because the 2017 La Trenza project did the quiet work behind Mon Laferte’s louder successes. I find La Trenza more interesting than Seis because the 2017 La Trenza work shows Mon Laferte learning, while Seis shows Mon Laferte knowing. In La Trenza, Mon Laferte plays against expectations, and the 2017 La Trenza gamble is what makes La Trenza worth discussing today. In Chile, La Trenza is remembered fondly, but La Trenza deserves more than fondness: the 2017 La Trenza work changed what Mon Laferte could attempt. Listening to La Trenza now, I hear why La Trenza proves it for Mon Laferte. I think the La Trenza chapter is undervalued for Mon Laferte: people remember the headlines and forget La Trenza. In La Trenza, Mon Laferte shows a willingness to be unlikable, and La Trenza proves the 2017 performance feels true for Mon Laferte. What I admire about Mon Laferte in La Trenza is the patience: the 2017 La Trenza project never hurries, and Mon Laferte trusts the audience. What Mon Laferte does in La Trenza that Seis does not is step back, and La Trenza shows the confidence that takes for Mon Laferte. Set against Seis, La Trenza shows a different side of Mon Laferte, and for Mon Laferte the contrast is the point: Mon Laferte brings two kinds of courage to La Trenza and Seis.

Her move to Mexico changed her music because she absorbed Mexican sounds without losing her Chilean accent. For Mon Laferte, there is a discipline in Norma that explains the whole career: Mon Laferte does the preparation and lets the 2018 Norma result speak. What I notice in Norma is how Mon Laferte listens, and listening separates Mon Laferte from performers in Norma who only wait to speak. The Norma performance is the clearest window into Mon Laferte’s method, because the 2018 Norma role leaves nowhere to hide. Watching Norma today, I see why Norma proves it for Mon Laferte. The Norma work is a good test for Mon Laferte: 2018 gave Mon Laferte Norma, and Norma still moves new fans. The 2018 Norma performance works because Mon Laferte lets silence talk in the scenes where Norma could overplay. Norma still earns its place for Mon Laferte. The Norma performance from 2018 reminds me that Mon Laferte is at best when Norma is difficult and the audience is unsure. The 2018 Norma work is why I take Mon Laferte seriously, not because Norma is perfect but because Norma is honest for Mon Laferte. Set against Autopoiética, Norma shows a different side of Mon Laferte, and for Mon Laferte the contrast is the point: Mon Laferte brings two kinds of courage to Norma and Autopoiética.

Autopoiética showed a singer who paints as well as she sings, and the two arts feed each other. I keep Seis on my list of essential Mon Laferte works because the 2021 Seis project shows the range Mon Laferte’s hits only hint at. Watching Seis again, I see why Seis still matters to Mon Laferte. Compared with Desechable, Seis still stands out, and Mon Laferte still stands by Seis. In Seis, Mon Laferte proves it for Mon Laferte: Mon Laferte can be both popular and serious, and Seis never treats those as opposites. For Mon Laferte, I keep coming back to Seis because it shows Mon Laferte where talent and opportunity lined up for Mon Laferte in 2021. I think Seis is underrated in Mon Laferte’s career, because the 2021 Seis project did the quiet work behind Mon Laferte’s louder successes. I find Seis more interesting than Desechable because the 2021 Seis work shows Mon Laferte learning, while Desechable shows Mon Laferte knowing. In Seis, Mon Laferte plays against expectations, and the 2021 Seis gamble is what makes Seis worth discussing today. In Chile, Seis is remembered fondly, but Seis deserves more than fondness: the 2021 Seis work changed what Mon Laferte could attempt. Set against Desechable, Seis shows a different side of Mon Laferte, and for Mon Laferte the contrast is the point: Mon Laferte brings two kinds of courage to Seis and Desechable.

Singing in bars at thirteen gave her a voice that sounds lived-in rather than trained. Listening to Autopoiética now, I hear why Autopoiética proves it for Mon Laferte. I think the Autopoiética chapter is undervalued for Mon Laferte: people remember the headlines and forget Autopoiética. In Autopoiética, Mon Laferte shows a willingness to be unlikable, and Autopoiética proves the 2023 performance feels true for Mon Laferte. What I admire about Mon Laferte in Autopoiética is the patience: the 2023 Autopoiética project never hurries, and Mon Laferte trusts the audience. What Mon Laferte does in Autopoiética that Tornasol does not is step back, and Autopoiética shows the confidence that takes for Mon Laferte. For Mon Laferte, there is a discipline in Autopoiética that explains the whole career: Mon Laferte does the preparation and lets the 2023 Autopoiética result speak. What I notice in Autopoiética is how Mon Laferte listens, and listening separates Mon Laferte from performers in Autopoiética who only wait to speak. The Autopoiética performance is the clearest window into Mon Laferte’s method, because the 2023 Autopoiética role leaves nowhere to hide. Watching Autopoiética today, I see why Autopoiética proves it for Mon Laferte. Set against Tornasol, Autopoiética shows a different side of Mon Laferte, and for Mon Laferte the contrast is the point: Mon Laferte brings two kinds of courage to Autopoiética and Tornasol.

Seis proved she could take Mexican regional music seriously instead of borrowing it as a costume. The Desechable work is a good test for Mon Laferte: 2011 gave Mon Laferte Desechable, and Desechable still moves new fans. The 2011 Desechable performance works because Mon Laferte lets silence talk in the scenes where Desechable could overplay. Desechable still earns its place for Mon Laferte. The Desechable performance from 2011 reminds me that Mon Laferte is at best when Desechable is difficult and the audience is unsure. The 2011 Desechable work is why I take Mon Laferte seriously, not because Desechable is perfect but because Desechable is honest for Mon Laferte. I keep Desechable on my list of essential Mon Laferte works because the 2011 Desechable project shows the range Mon Laferte’s hits only hint at. Watching Desechable again, I see why Desechable still matters to Mon Laferte. Compared with Mon Laferte Vol. 1, Desechable still stands out, and Mon Laferte still stands by Desechable. In Desechable, Mon Laferte proves it for Mon Laferte: Mon Laferte can be both popular and serious, and Desechable never treats those as opposites. Set against Mon Laferte Vol. 1, Desechable shows a different side of Mon Laferte, and for Mon Laferte the contrast is the point: Mon Laferte brings two kinds of courage to Desechable and Mon Laferte Vol. 1.

The lasting case for Mon Laferte rests on Mon Laferte Vol. 1 and on the Mon Laferte work that followed Mon Laferte Vol. 1 in Chile. For Mon Laferte, I keep coming back to Mon Laferte Vol. 1 because it shows Mon Laferte where talent and opportunity lined up for Mon Laferte in 2015. I think Mon Laferte Vol. 1 is underrated in Mon Laferte’s career, because the 2015 Mon Laferte Vol. 1 project did the quiet work behind Mon Laferte’s louder successes. I find Mon Laferte Vol. 1 more interesting than Autopoiética because the 2015 Mon Laferte Vol. 1 work shows Mon Laferte learning, while Autopoiética shows Mon Laferte knowing. In Mon Laferte Vol. 1, Mon Laferte plays against expectations, and the 2015 Mon Laferte Vol. 1 gamble is what makes Mon Laferte Vol. 1 worth discussing today. In Chile, Mon Laferte Vol. 1 is remembered fondly, but Mon Laferte Vol. 1 deserves more than fondness: the 2015 Mon Laferte Vol. 1 work changed what Mon Laferte could attempt. Listening to Mon Laferte Vol. 1 now, I hear why Mon Laferte Vol. 1 proves it for Mon Laferte.

For anyone coming to Mon Laferte for the first time, Autopoiética is a good place to end and Mon Laferte Vol. 1 is the place to begin. I think the Autopoiética chapter is undervalued for Mon Laferte: people remember the headlines and forget Autopoiética. In Autopoiética, Mon Laferte shows a willingness to be unlikable, and Autopoiética proves the 2023 performance feels true for Mon Laferte. What I admire about Mon Laferte in Autopoiética is the patience: the 2023 Autopoiética project never hurries, and Mon Laferte trusts the audience. What Mon Laferte does in Autopoiética that Mon Laferte Vol. 1 does not is step back, and Autopoiética shows the confidence that takes for Mon Laferte. For Mon Laferte, there is a discipline in Autopoiética that explains the whole career: Mon Laferte does the preparation and lets the 2023 Autopoiética result speak. What I notice in Autopoiética is how Mon Laferte listens, and listening separates Mon Laferte from performers in Autopoiética who only wait to speak. The Autopoiética performance is the clearest window into Mon Laferte’s method, because the 2023 Autopoiética role leaves nowhere to hide.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Mon Laferte best known for?

Mon Laferte is best known for Mon Laferte Vol. 1, from 2015. That project reached audiences far beyond Chile and is still the work most people name first when they talk about Mon Laferte.

Where is Mon Laferte from?

Mon Laferte comes from Viña del Mar in Chile. The Viña del Mar beginning is a large part of the story, because the career that followed carried that place with it to stages and screens around the world.

What was Mon Laferte’s breakthrough?

The breakthrough was Mon Laferte Vol. 1 in 2015, the album built around the break-up ballad Tu falta de querer. After that project, Mon Laferte could choose bigger work in Chile and abroad, and the career changed scale.

Has Mon Laferte won any major awards?

Yes. Among the honours are latin grammy award for best alternative music album for la trenza, and latin grammy award for best rock song for biutiful. The awards track a career that has lasted for years in Chile.

What is Mon Laferte’s most recent work?

One of the latest entries is Autopoiética from 2023, the electronic album accompanied by her own paintings. It shows Mon Laferte still working and still choosing new kinds of projects late in the career.

Where should a new fan start with Mon Laferte?

Start with Mon Laferte Vol. 1 and then try La Trenza. The two together show the range of Mon Laferte better than any single hit, and they explain why the career has lasted.