Carín León & Kacey Musgraves Bridge Cultures on Playful Duet “Lost in Translation”

LOS ANGELES, CA- Carín León and Kacey Musgraves have released their new duet, “Lost in Translation,” a breezy, genre-blending track that plays with the idea of connection beyond words. The two artists, each known for blurring the lines of tradition in their respective genres, strike a natural balance between León’s bold vocal delivery and Musgraves’ airy sweetness, making the collaboration feel both unexpected yet meant-to-be.

The writing session video for the track captures the intimacy of its creation. Before penning their own song, León and Musgraves warmed up by singing Juan Gabriel and Rocío Dúrcal’s classic duet “Fue un Placer Conocerte.” It was a telling moment as Musgraves knew every word of the Spanish standard, much to León’s surprise. That shared love for timeless Mexican music set the tone for what would become “Lost in Translation.”

Musgraves has long shown curiosity about regional Mexican sounds, having grown up in Texas where norteño and country often intersected. “Growing up singing traditional country and western music,” she explains, “I’ve always loved exploring the borders of Country and where it blends with other styles like Norteño and some regional Mexican sounds that I heard a lot of in Texas.” For León, who has made a career out of modernizing regional Mexican music, Musgraves’ genre-fluid approach struck a chord. “I relate my career and hers in the way that she approaches other genres,” he notes.

Lyrically, the song is playful and flirty, painting a scene in a bar where attraction overcomes the clumsiness of language. Musgraves delivers lines like “Maybe we should talk with our hands?” before the chorus lands on the cheeky hook: “Let’s get lost in translation / Forget about pronunciation / ¿Cómo se dice, ‘You’re coming home with me’?” León responds with Spanish verses that translate to declarations like “I want to steal a little piece of your heart” and “I just know you’re coming with me today.” The interplay between English, Spanish, and Spanglish makes the duet feel like a real conversation between two strangers discovering chemistry in real time.

Musically, producer Julian Bunetta leans into vibrant horns and rhythmic percussion, letting León’s band give the track its Mexican backbone while Musgraves glides over the top with her trademark lightness. It’s a sound that feels nostalgic—an echo of classic Mexican duets—yet modern enough to slip comfortably into playlists across genres.

What makes “Lost in Translation” work is its charm. It’s not trying too hard to be a cultural statement; instead, it celebrates the universality of attraction, humor, and music itself. As Musgraves puts it, “Even though we speak different languages, we’re all the same, you know?” It’s a sentiment that sticks, especially in a moment when cross-cultural collaborations are more prominent than ever.

Personally, I think this is one of the cutest songs Musgraves has been a part of. The light Latin flavor lends itself beautifully to her airy vocals, and the lyrical play on the theme makes it even more fun. Honestly, I wouldn’t mind seeing her lean more into this sound in the future. With “Lost in Translation,” Musgraves and León prove that sometimes the best music doesn’t need to be understood word for word—it just needs to be felt.

Follow Kacey Musgraves on Facebook, Instagram, and X.

Follow Carín León on Facebook, Instagram, and X.

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