Presagio

Malpais' song 'Presagio' is a vivid and haunting portrayal of an impending storm, both literal and metaphorical. The lyrics are rich with sensory details, starting with the smell of water in the air and the sound of thunderous drums in the sky. This imagery sets the stage for a narrative that intertwines natural phenomena with human emotions and fears. The mention of the grandfather's words about 'garrotes de agua' (water clubs) hitting the hills adds a generational layer to the story, suggesting that this is a recurring, almost cyclical event that has been witnessed before.

As the song progresses, the atmosphere becomes increasingly tense. The wind turns black and tastes of fear, vultures circle in a whirlwind, and spiders tangle in the singer's hair. These elements create a sense of foreboding and chaos, as if nature itself is warning of something terrible to come. The lyrics also touch on the passage of time, describing it as a hole that tastes of gunpowder, twisting in the skin of misfortune. This metaphor suggests that the impending disaster is not just a natural event but also a moment of significant personal or collective crisis.

The song then shifts to a more urgent tone with the arrival of 'las bestias' (the beasts), which are described as breaking through the jungle and devouring trees. These beasts, referred to as 'garrobos llamarada' (blazing iguanas) and 'mariposas negras' (black butterflies), symbolize destructive forces that are both natural and supernatural. The repeated warning to 'cuidao mama' (watch out, mama) emphasizes the imminent danger and the need for vigilance. Despite the chaos, the frogs continue to sing, suggesting a glimmer of resilience or normalcy amidst the turmoil. The song concludes with the haunting image of masks with laughing faces roaming the streets, turning the singer into a prisoner of a fable. Even though it has rained, the smell of water lingers, indicating that the threat is never truly gone.