Cuban musician Melanie Santiler, 25, released her debut album "Los Cisnes" on 25 September, deliberately charting a course away from mainstream Cuban reparto music by blending alternative, jazz, and electronic elements. The 10-track record represents a bold artistic statement, with Santiler prioritising authenticity over commercial trends and speaking candidly about her decision to pursue music that reflects her true identity despite uncertainty about its reception in Cuba.

The album was released under MamiFinaRecords/ONErpm, with Santiler writing 80–90 per cent of the songs herself, including "Azabache," which she wrote six years prior. Three tracks honour the reparto tradition, whilst others draw inspiration from artists including Rosalía, Celia Cruz, and Buena Vista Social Club. A trip to Spain last November proved pivotal in galvanising the project; Madrid's music scene convinced her that ambitious concept albums were creatively viable, a model rarely pursued in Cuba where single releases dominate.