Ely Guerra

On the heels of Tijuana's Julieta Venegas's alt-pop smash hit and her Latin Grammy-winner Sí comes yet another Mexican norteña that should make as much noise. Monterrey-born Ely Guerra's fourth album is true to its name. It has a strong pop element during the "sweet and sour" segment (the first six songs); and the "hot and spicy" songs are as delicate, ethereal and sensual as you can get in a country as machista as Mexico. At 32, Guerra finally understands that beauty does not go against quality. Long enough time for her audience to understand it, too.