Hermanos Gutiérrez’s ‘Los Ojos Del Cóndor’ Album Is an Ode to South America’s Andes Mountains: ‘It Felt Like a Dedication to This Whole Region’

In 1987, Estevan and Alejandro Gutiérrez's father stood in Machu Picchu, capturing a photograph that sparked inspiration for their next musical endeavor. This led to the release of their studio album, 'Los Ojos del Cóndor,' which released on September 25 and serves as a tribute to South America's Andes mountain range.

The brothers, known as Hermanos Gutiérrez, describe the album as a love letter to the stories, sounds, and magnetism of the Andes. Alejandro Gutiérrez explained, "We felt like from the desert, from the cosmic sound that we had in the past, we just wanted to feel and discover a new landscape. And there’s not another place that is as strong and powerful as the Andes in South America because it connects so many countries from north to south."

The 10-track album features Hermanos Gutiérrez’s cinematic work, with recurring musical motifs emerging through guitar and organ, creating a sense of movement and continuity across the record. Estevan plays every track on the nylon-string guitar his father gifted him at 8, while Alejandro introduces the charango, an Andean stringed instrument, on several songs.

Produced by Dan Auerbach, the Black Keys’ creative force, the album is the trio's third studio album, following their 2022 breakthrough 'El Bueno y El Malo' and 2024 LP 'Sonido Cósmico.'

The brothers were unsure about the project's success, but their trip to Peru provided confirmation. "When we were at Machu Picchu or, like, in general in Peru, we felt, 'Hey, this album is from here,'" Estevan said. The album's name carries deep cultural significance; the condor is a sacred symbol in indigenous Andean traditions, representing power and freedom.

The album's standout tracks include "Los Andes," "Los Ojos del Condor," "Canto Andino," and the title track, 'Alma Mia.' The project was created and animated by Robert Schober, who has directed music videos for notable artists such as Metallica, Green Day, and The Killers. Born in Zurich with Ecuadorian, Swiss, and Peruvian heritage, the Gutiérrez brothers continue to weave their South American roots into their music.