Chilean indie stalwarts Niños del Cerro have resurfaced with their third studio album, Alma Tadema, released in September 2025 via the independent label Quemasucabeza.

Known for their distinctive blend of Latin American folk, shoegaze, and guitar-driven dream pop, the Santiago-based band continues to push the sonic envelope with their most expansive and atmospheric record to date. The album title is a nod to Sir Lawrence Alma-Tadema, the 19th-century Dutch painter celebrated for his ethereal portraits of classical antiquity.

In many ways, that artistic aura permeates the mood and textural ambition of the album. Alma Tadema offers a suite of shimmering compositions steeped in nostalgia, melancholy, and warm sonic landscapes, delivered in the poetic and introspective voice that has become the band’s hallmark. Niños del Cerro—comprising Simón Campusano (vocals/guitar), Ignacio Castillo (bass), Joaquín Castillo (guitar), José Mazurett (drums), and Diego Antimán (woodwinds/synths). The production was helmed by Campusano himself, with mixing and mastering handled by Chalo González, whose previous work includes acts like Gepe and Javiera Mena.

From the opening notes of “Príapo (o Sísifo otra vez)” the album sets a meditative tone. The track floats on gentle guitar arpeggios and layered harmonies, immediately immersing listeners in a world both intimate and expansive. Songs like “Seis de Enero” and “Narciso Negro” showcase the band’s unique ability to weave Andean melodic heritage with the soft edges of modern indie rock. Lyrically, Alma Tadema explores themes of memory, identity, and emotional transformation.

The band has described the record as a reflection on the spaces we inhabit—internally and externally—and how they shape our perceptions of self and others. With this release, Niños del Cerro confirm their status as one of Latin America's most adventurous indie acts. Alma Tadema is not just a musical statement—it’s a meditative space, beautifully crafted and emotionally resonant. As Chile’s indie scene continues to grow on the global stage, this album stands as a shimmering example of its depth and sophistication.