Paco’s new EP, JARDÍN, arrived on October 3 via RCA Records and sets a crisp starting line. St. Louis–raised and now LA-based, the 23-year-old first honed timing and crowd sense as a DJ before moving west in 2021. A steady stream of singles followed, racking up traction across platforms and paving the way for JARDÍN.

That early instinct for pace and payoff runs through these songs, whatever the style. Tracks like “LOSE YOURSELF” lead with a smooth, synth-led groove and a confident pulse. “Lovers 2 Friends” pivots to bright, acoustic-leaning pop, proving the melodies still land when the arrangement pares back. Elsewhere, the set widens: the subtle funk-tinged nostalgia of “Purpose” and “String of Pearls,” and the slow-burn pull attached to “Come By Lover.”

JARDÍN also gives him space to write bilingually, moving between English and Spanish without breaking flow. The hooks land without clutter; the mixes keep his voice out front. But in the end, it ultimately reads as a compelling opener about identity while marking a reliable path for fellow first-gen artists.

If JARDÍN is about establishing your sound, visuals, or perspective as an artist, what were some of the most important things you wanted to convey?

Paco: The visual world I’ve built is different from the sonic and lyrical side. These are two different art forms where I’m able to tell a story or share things I’m passionate about. I’m currently 23 with a big heart, so a lot of my songwriting is about past relationships, friendships, situationships, and all that jazz. As I get older, I hope to be more mature in my songwriting abilities, but for now, this is what I’ve been going through. Who doesn’t love to feel loved?

Now, visually, I’m giving people insight into my upbringing in Mexico. I was born and raised in St. Louis, but spending a lot of my summers in Mexico was my reality. People sometimes ask me why I wear the cowboy hat and the boots, and so by showing you how my family dresses and taking you to where I grew up, it speaks for itself. I want my visual world to stand on its own, separate from the music.

“LOSE YOURSELF” rides a synthy, late-night feel. What were you initially chasing—sonically, or thematically?

Paco: I love feel-good music. I remember when we first made “LOSE YOURSELF.” this sound was so new and fresh to me. I had never heard myself sing like that or even just try to make a song like this before. There wasn’t anything specifically we were chasing, just more so excited by this new bag we had entered.

Now, thematically, this was written about someone I was seeing at the time. I remember being at a party, and we shared this euphoric moment on the dance floor, just the two of us dancing with each other. After that night, I wanted to remember that moment and feeling forever, so then came “LOSE YOURSELF.”

Then there’s “Lovers 2 Friends,” which explores really strong, upbeat, acoustic-pop energy. Which came first—the style or the storyline—and what told you they belonged together?

Paco: We had been progressing the style of this Latin swag, and we love to blend our influences, so the style was there first. When making this song, I remember listening to a lot of Justified by Justin Timberlake, and I love his melodies and tone of voice over these swagged-out beats.

A lot of what I write about on this project pertains to an actual moment or a what-could-have-been moment. Particularly with “LOVERS 2 FRIENDS.” I had been in this situationship—and trust I love me a good lil fling, I love to love. So, when we started making the song, it had this intense but sexy feel to it. The story had to match the instrumental, so what better intense but sexy feeling than a situationship?

You also switch between English and Spanish in a way that feels seamless. Do you write with a language map in mind, or do the songs tell you where each line belongs?

Paco: I never really want to go into a song with a checklist of what I need for it to feel complete. it’s a feeling thing. If the song starts in English and it just so happens that the chorus is in Spanish, then so be it. It’s a beautiful thing to be able to speak multiple languages and implement that into my music, but I’ll only do it if it feels right for the song. I believe I could’ve made every song Spanglish on this project, but that doesn’t mean I should. That’s what makes those moments where I do speak Spanish extra special.

What production or crowd-reading habits carried over from your early DJ days to how you built songs on JARDÍN?

Paco: Wow. The DJ days… they really did have an impact on how we made these songs. When making this project, I would ask myself: in what setting would I want these songs to ideally live in? My first thought would always be stadiums. Even though I’m not playing stadiums—yet—the way we approached the production and flow of the project was meant to be belt out and feel grand.

I believe there’s something for everybody in the project, where you get those slower put your flashlights up moment in STRING OF PEARLS.” to crying in your car in “COME BY LOVER.” or that I’m gonna lose my voice singing moment in “THINK ABOUT IT.” and I love that. There is real intention behind each song.

If JARDÍN is a first chapter, what does a great live set for this era look like—intimate performances or full festival bloom?

Paco: Love this question. The beauty of these songs is how strong they are and feel, whether it’s played with a band or if it was stripped down more acoustic style. We actually toured a lot of these songs earlier this year during the “Coyote” tour with my brothers, and we learned how to play them live using backtracks, vocals, and a guitar. You don’t need much to put on a good show. Trust.

You’ve talked about inspiring other first-gen artists. What’s one practical move you wish someone had told you at the very start?

Paco: There’s no formula to this career, and if someone tells you that there is, don’t trust that person. As a first-gen artist, I know there are so many other kids with the same dreams and ambitions of becoming an artist, and my biggest advice would simply be to do it for yourself and not to please anyone else. This wasn’t my parents’ ideal lifestyle or career they wanted me to have, but it’s what I love and wake up excited to do every day. Even if you went to school or if didn’t go to school, don’t stop learning. You gotta study the greats to be greater. Then, write your own story.