Juan Wauters shares new single ‘Manejando Por Pando’
Juan Wauters | Photo credit: Agustin Ginesta
Over the past few months, the Uruguayan singer-songwriter and Queens legend Juan Wauters has teased his forthcoming album with the charming ‘If It’s Not Luv‘ and ‘Dime Amiga,’ both taken from MVD LUV – a love letter to his hometown of Montevideo, Uruguay due 27th June via Captured Tracks. Remezcla called the former an “...instant singalong [recalling] South American folk without sounding anything other than Juan, embodying his artistry.”
Today, Wauters shares the next single from the album, ‘Manejando por Pando‘ and its accompanying music video, which pays homage to the classic songwriting style of candombe, an Afro-Uruguayan musical and dance tradition with origins in Montevideo during the eighteenth century. The track, premiered yesterday on KCRW’s Morning Becomes Eclectic, embraces the groove of milongón, a slower form of candombe, that allows for introspective storytelling while maintaining a hypnotic pulse, and it captures the tension between change and continuity. Instrumentally, the song blends acoustic and electronic textures in a way that echoes the sonic experimentation of the 1970s and 1980s Uruguayan scene.
Juan Wauters is also excited to announce he’ll be taking MVD LUV on the road for an autumn tour across the United States, kicking off in Brooklyn, NY on September 26. Full list of dates below and tickets available for purchase here.
Stream ‘Manejando Por Pando’ here
Speaking on the new song’s inspiration and origins, Juan says it “...works as an introduction to Montevidean music. The song is built over a drum ensemble playing candombe. The lyrics of the song come from an improvisation during the Wandering Rebel recording sessions. This song sets a bridge between today and the classic candombe songs from Montevideo. We aimed to pay respect to the history and tradition of this music and also push the genre a bit further into the future. There are hints to traditional sounds and melodies but also a new way of interpreting the same old music style. One luv to candombe music!!”
The music video for the song was collectively conceived and created by Lucía Garibaldi, Fatos Marishta, Eric McLeland, Matthew Volz and Wauters, and is the last entry of a three part video sequence which includes the previously released videos for ‘If It’s Not Luv‘ and ‘Dime Amiga.’ The new video finds the main character with an envelope full of cash in his hand.
As a literal interpretation of the ‘Manejado Por Pando’ lyrics, the character buys a car and, while driving, sees an old neighborhood friend that asks him: “How’s it living in a country so far away?” After hearing the question and looking at himself in the mirror, the character answers, “It’s the same.” Then the main character and his friend go off to have a good time and play music. A succession of events leads them to go to a “rich” neighborhood to clip bike chains and steal them by bringing them into their van. They collect multiple bikes and bring them back to Jackson Heights, where the character is from. There happens to be a street parade happening in the neighborhood. They wander around with their bikes until they find friends to give them to. The video closes off with a conversation between the two friends.
Juan Wauters Tour Dates:
09/26/25 - Brooklyn, NY @ National Sawdust
09/27/25 - Washington, D.C @ Pearl Street
09/28/25 - Philadelphia, PA @ Milkboy
09/30/25 - Charlotte, NC @ Petra’s
10/02/25 - Atlanta, GA @ The Earl
10/03/25 - Nashville, TN @ Cannery Hall
10/04/25 - New Orleans, LA @ Gasa Gasa
10/07/25 - San Antonio, TX @ Paper Tiger
10/08/25 - Austin, TX @ 29th St. Ballroom
10/09/25 - Denton, TX @ Dan’s Silver Leaf
10/12/25 - Los Angeles, CA @ Lodge Room
10/13/25 - San Diego, CA @ Soda Bar
10/15/25 - San Francisco, CA @ Cafe Du Nord
10/17/25 - Portland, OR @ Swan Dive
10/18/25 - Seattle, WA @ Substation
10/19/25 - Boise, ID @ Shrine Social Club
10/20/25 - Salt Lake City, UT @ DLC
10/22/25 - Denver, CO @ Hi Dive
10/24/25 - Davenport, IA @ Raccoon Motel
10/26/25 - Chicago, IL @ Schuba’s
About MVD LUV:
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
