Los Retros has dropped a new song from his forthcoming EP. “Amtrak” is Los Retros’ second single off his forthcoming release Looking Back, available April 30th via Stones Throw Records (Koreatown Oddity, Jerry Paper). The EP is the follow-up to last year’s Everlasting EP, and Mauri will be celebrating its release with a free livestream release show on May 5th at 3pm PST at volume.com/losretros.

“Amtrak” doubles down on the wistful and heartbreaking, yet infinitely catchy sound that Los Retros has become known for. It follows the intimate, imaginative, and nostalgic “It’s Got To Be You,” which was released in March with a kaleidoscopic animation by Lorenzo Mercant.

Mauri Tapia was just sixteen when he first began recording in his family’s living room on an old four-track, often playing all the instruments himself. These first recordings quickly gathered momentum online, and before long he was playing shows to sold-out crowds. The recordings comprising Looking Back grew out of these early sessions and are now officially released for the first time.

Inspired both by his Mexican-American heritage and birthplace of Oxnard, CA, Los Retros draws from vast influences, from Tapia’s parents’ collection of American soft-rock records, to left-field South American pop, and his older brother’s love of 90s hip hop. Mauri explains his goal of creating music to bring about a sense of community and peacefulness: “In my songs I’m just trying to make a beautiful three-to-six minute moment that makes you feel more positive about life.”

The 2020 follow-up EP Everlasting showcased a more intimate and vulnerable side to Los Retros. Inspired by funk, jazz and spiritual music, Everlasting reflected on a newfound sense of spirituality and love. Everlasting’s themes of connectedness and faith were much-needed medicine for fans. The nostalgic musical journey of Los Retros continues with Looking Back. The collection breezes by with minimal, precise production, each song unfolding patiently to capture a moment in time. In the words of Los Retros, “We hope you enjoy your ride back to 2017 with this one.”