Juan Wauters Shares New Single ‘If It’s Not Luv‘
Juan Wauters | Photo credit: Agustin Ginesta
“When you listen to Juan Wauters' signature acoustic, twangy sound overlaid with his gentle vocals, it's hard not to find it a bit uplifting.” - NPR
“Through his high-pitched yet endearing vocal patterns that invite us to unwind, he explores themes of loneliness, confusion, and compassion. His music feels not for himself but for his listener; his music explores the joys of togetherness that make a place become home…” - Interview Magazine
“Unpretentious lyrics observing the beauty of ordinary life, sung in English and his native Spanish. A warm, loosely plucked acoustic guitar as the central instrument…but his biggest trademark is his freewheeling charm (à la Jonathan Richman), rooted in his love of community.” - Pitchfork
For his seventh studio album, musician and singer-songwriter Juan Wauters returns with a love letter to his birthplace and hometown of Montevideo, Uruguay, via the just announced MVD LUV, out 27th June 2025 via Captured Tracks. Pre-order here.
More than a decade into his solo career, Wauters has sculpted his musical identity into a charismatic and charming, authentic and arresting tightrope act, balancing on that fine line hanging just below sincerity, and just above performative. On his new album, his skills as a songwriter shine bright. Bursting with joy, the bulk of the songs on MVD LUV are under two minutes in length, but the album as a whole showcases Wauters at his most endearing, writing with fondness and compassion about the Uruguayan city he’s loved and called home. The clarity of purpose in which Wauters utilises to illustrate Montevideo and its character paint a portrait of an artist with a deep devotion to his craft and subject matter.
Speaking on the album’s announcement, Wauters says “Hello everyone. Today I am announcing my seventh studio album MVD LUV a.k.a. Amor Montevideo. This time around you catch me in Montevideo, the city where I was born and grew up. Though I’m from here, this is the first time I get to record an album here. I have always longed to do this. Let’s get to it, make it through it, MVD LUV a.k.a. Amor Montevideo."
The lead single off the album, ‘If It’s Not Luv,’ explores the euphoric and almost surreal nature of love. This song showcases Juan Wauters’ distinctive songwriting and arrangement skills within the popular guitar style that defines much of his music. The song’s repetitive and almost mantra-like lyrics create a hypnotic effect, reinforcing the central question: If it’s not love, what is it? This lyrical simplicity contrasts with the richness of the instrumentation. The lyrics playfully compare love to a drug, emphasising its intoxicating and transformative power.
The rhythm is steady and engaging, making the song feel effortlessly natural and inviting. It features a relatively unconventional percussion arrangement, which adds texture and movement without overshadowing the song’s lighthearted essence. This subtle yet effective rhythmic choice enhances the groove, giving ‘If It’s Not Luv’ a buoyant, flowing quality that makes it both easy to listen to and deeply immersive.
Juan Wauters’ MVD LUV is more than just an album—it’s a homecoming. For the first time in his career, Wauters has recorded a full-length project in his birthplace of Montevideo, Uruguay, embracing the city’s rich musical traditions while continuing to push the boundaries of his distinctive songwriting. A love letter to both his roots and his present, MVD LUV brings Uruguayan sounds to the global stage, incorporating candombe and murga rhythms into Wauters’ signature fusion of folk, pop, and experimentation.
Having spent much of his career in the United States, Wauters has long carried the dual identity of immigrant and native son. With MVD LUV, he set out to bridge those worlds, capturing the essence of Montevideo’s streets, homes, and communal spirit. The album was recorded in various locations across the city, from his own studio to sidewalks, rooftops, and the homes of featured musicians. This approach lends the project a raw authenticity, making Montevideo itself feel like an active presence in the music.
Thematically, MVD LUV explores identity, nostalgia, and human connection. Tracks like ‘Manejando por Pando’ and ‘Siempre Vuelven’ reflect on returning home and the passage of time, while ‘If It’s Not Luv’ and ‘Dime Amiga’ delve into love, companionship, and personal reflection. ‘Ando con Miedo’ captures urban anxieties, juxtaposing introspection with the vibrant rhythms of the city. Throughout, Wauters crafts a deeply personal yet universal meditation on belonging.
With MVD LUV, Juan Wauters presents a vibrant, heartfelt exploration of place and identity, creating an album that feels both deeply rooted and universally resonant. This is a record that doesn’t just introduce listeners to Montevideo—it invites them to feel at home within it.
MVD LUV Track Listing:
01.) Amor Montevideo
02.) If It’s Not Luv
03.) Manejando por Pando
04.) Acting Like I Don't Know
05.) Canción Mamá
06.) Dime Amiga
07.) La Lucía
08.) Mutuación
09.) Niño
10.) Get A Habit
11.) Aeropuerto
12.) Lonely By Myself
13.) Ando Con Miedo
14.) Siempre Vuelven
Connect with Juan Wauters:
Apple Music | Bandcamp | Instagram | Spotify | TikTok | Website | YouTube
