Milena Casado, trumpeter, composer, and producer, has released the second single from her forthcoming debut album Reflection of Another Self due out May 16 via Candid Records. “O.C.T  (Oda to the Crazy Times)” is a meditation on our maddening, infuriating sociopolitical age.

The rhythmic horns, punchy percussion, and experimental production paired with powerhouse bars by GRAMMY-nominated KOKAYI mirror an overwhelming amount of thoughts, anxiety, confusion, anger, and frustration. 

Says Milena, “The rhythmic motives in this song mirror an overwhelming amount of thoughts, anxiety, confusion, anger, and frustration. I wrote this while trying to process trauma: racism, sexism, meeting and building a relationship with my father… all of it. There’s also a layer of sarcasm in the music, out of frustration, out of exhaustion. This song is personal, yet universal.” 

Reflection of Another Self is a stunning first statement that is sonically adventurous and a deeply personal exploration of her identity, overcoming personal traumas including experiencing racism growing up in Spain and grappling with her dual heritage, among other profound topics.  It is an adventurous and bold statement from a newcomer who has been honing her skill with luminaries and biding her time, constructing a debut album fit for someone destined to upend the jazz world. 

Reflection of Another Self is the most important achievement yet in Casado’s career, but it’s also the beginning of a bold new aesthetic. “When I began this album, I had all these expectations: It’s my first album; It needs to express exactly who I am” she says. “But now I see that it’s really just the starting point of a long exploration.”