The conversation featured in the accompanying video provides an unparalleled look into Rosalía’s artistic process, particularly concerning her latest album following the critically acclaimed Motomami. Many artists grapple with the immense pressure of evolving their sound after a monumental success; the challenge lies in pushing creative boundaries while retaining authenticity. Rosalía’s approach, as illuminated in this interview, reveals a profound commitment to introspection, rigorous study, and a deliberate philosophical pivot that has reshaped her creative journey.
Instead of merely replicating past triumphs, a more profound direction was sought, one rooted in spiritual exploration and a rejection of previous stylistic conventions. This strategic re-evaluation has allowed a deeper, more ‘maximalist’ expression to emerge, influencing everything from lyrical composition to instrumental arrangements.
1. The Philosophical Canvas of Creative Output
Art, in its most compelling form, often navigates the delicate space between the intensely personal and the universally resonant. Rosalía articulates this beautifully, positing that the finest fiction—and by extension, art—exists where a “blurry line” is maintained between what is detailed and what remains abstract.
Blurring Lines: Personal, Universal, and the “Truth” in Art
A core tenet of Rosalía’s current artistic philosophy is the necessity of some inherent “truth” within the work, yet with a primary focus on “the other.” This approach enables the artist to transcend mere autobiography, crafting narratives that, while perhaps inspired by individual experience, speak to broader human conditions. The inclusion of personal anecdotes, such as moments relating to the tracks “Yerba” or “Reliquia,” is always filtered through a lens that seeks a wider, shared understanding.
From Minimalism to Maximalism: A Deliberate Shift
The transition from Motomami to her new work is described as a conscious shift from minimalism to maximalism. While Motomami was characterized by “few elements” and a focus on the immediate, tangible aspects of the world, the new album embraces a “big” and expansive sound. This evolution is notably exemplified by the track “Percal,” which features a “full orchestra” and “full choir,” signaling a rich, layered sonic tapestry that starkly contrasts with its predecessor.
2. The Rigorous Journey of Creation
The development of this new musical endeavor was anything but swift, demanding a significant investment of time and profound personal dedication. Such extensive periods of creative incubation are often essential for artistic breakthroughs.
Patience Forged in Three Years
A significant “three years” were devoted to the album’s creation, a duration that Rosalía admits tested her patience. This extended period allowed for deep immersion in the material, fostering a connection where the music “takes on a life of its own.” The demanding process underscored a crucial lesson in perseverance, highlighting that profound artistic statements are rarely rushed.
Isolation and Intentionality: Crafting Lyrical Depth
The creative process for the album often involved periods of intense isolation, with Rosalía dedicating “an entire year” to writing and reading alone, deliberately removing herself from typical social engagement. This solitude was punctuated by collaborative efforts with trusted friends and engineers, such as Dylan and David, with whom she has worked for “six years.” The emphasis on “finishing the thought” in songwriting, a departure from the “musical tourette” described by her sister in earlier work, demonstrates a commitment to lyrical completeness and emotional coherence. For example, the track “Hentai” is noted to have taken “a whole year” to refine, showcasing the meticulousness applied to lyrical composition.
3. Spirituality, Sainthood, and Cross-Cultural Inspiration
A distinctive aspect of Rosalía’s new album, and a key driver of her creative journey, is an intensive study of theology and spirituality. This scholarly pursuit is integrated into the very fabric of her songwriting.
Theological Foundations: Understanding Sacred Narratives
If not pursuing a musical career, Rosalía indicates a strong inclination towards studying theology in college, a testament to her deep-seated intellectual curiosity. This intellectual craving has been channeled into her art, as a means to “learn more about spirituality” and “make ampliar mis horizontes” (expand her horizons) on what spirituality encompasses. The intricate ways sainthood is understood across various cultures and religions became a central theme of her research.
Global Tapestry of Saints and Storytelling
Rosalía’s studio became a veritable research hub, with a “mapamundi” (world map) pinned to the wall, guiding her exploration of hagiographies—the stories of saints. This expansive study included:
- Hinduism: The Rishis, wise Vedic masters.
- Taoism: The Xian, often described as immortals.
- Judaism: The Tzadikim, righteous individuals.
- Islam: “Los amigos de Dios” (God’s friends).
- Christianity: Figures like Santa Rosa de Lima, Santa Rosalía de Palermo, Hildegard von Bingen, Bimala, and Santa Olga de Kiev.
This global study revealed numerous “crazy, amazing stories” of women, many of whom were nuns and poets, whose narratives offered profound inspiration. The intention was to collect stories “about the other,” celebrating and understanding “otherness” in a world perceived as increasingly divided.
4. Redefining Musical Structure and Sound
The album’s innovative sound is deeply rooted in conscious production choices that prioritize human touch and organic textures over artificial repetition.
The Anti-Loop Ethos: Embracing Human Elements
A cardinal rule established during the album’s production was the deliberate absence of loops. This intentional constraint meant that even repetitive melodies were “sung” rather than looped, fostering a sense of continuous, human performance. This decision to “go through the experience” rather than merely transitioning from point A to point B imbues the music with an immersive, journey-like quality.
Acoustic Authenticity and Materiality
The album prioritizes “acoustic instruments,” aiming for a sound that conveys “human wood, metals.” This emphasis on material and physicality creates a sense of “a human in there,” making the music feel tangible and immediate. The result is a sound that is “entirely immersed in the space,” communicating a profound sense of presence and craft that is both intimate and expansive.
5. The Evolution of Artistic Identity and Performance
Rosalía’s latest work is not just a musical evolution but a profound redefinition of her artistic identity, embracing change as a necessary, albeit challenging, path to growth.
Embracing “Violent Change” for Growth
The act of creating something markedly different from previous successes is characterized as a “violent change”—a continuous “mutilation” of past creations in pursuit of growth. This courageous rejection of what is comfortable and established allows for a dynamic, ever-shifting identity. The willingness to “lose people in the process” or “leave the things that could give you comfort behind” is accepted as a necessary discipline for profound artistic and personal transformation. Rosalía expresses a hope that identity can always be fluid, allowing one to “choose who you are and every day you can understand who you are and you can change every day.”
The Performative Nature of Extreme Expression
The discussion also touches upon the inherently “performative” nature of extreme expressions, whether in art or in aspects like extreme femininity or masculinity. Rosalía suggests that anything pushed to an extreme will possess a performative element, acknowledging that presenting oneself to the world, particularly as an artist, involves a “construction.” This includes “construir un avatar” or “construir una obra,” echoing artists like David Bowie who openly embraced such theatricality. The album, despite its maximalist tendencies, deliberately “starts gentle” to allow listeners to ease into its depth before experiencing its full breadth.
Vocal Revelation: Singing from a Place of Truth
The album also represents a significant vocal evolution. Rosalía notes that she had desired to “push the boundaries of [her] voice” during Motomami but “couldn’t do that yet” due to the limitations of her writing at the time. This new album, born from a place of “openness and a surrender,” allowed her to sing in a dramatically different way. The emotional intensity was such that she admits, “I don’t think I’ve ever cried so much here making an album,” indicating a deep personal vulnerability infused into the vocal performances. This demonstrates how a transformed writing process can unlock new dimensions in vocal expression, where the voice becomes a direct conduit for a deeper, more personal “truth.”
6. Reverberations of Influence and Memory
The intricate layers of Rosalía’s work are further enriched by a diverse tapestry of musical influences and a nuanced understanding of memory’s role in narrative.
Echoes of Classical and Contemporary Masters
Rosalía’s creative wellspring is fed by a vast array of musical giants, with dedicated time spent “studying classical music.” Her personal listening habits include extensive exposure to:
- Composers like Chopin, Wagner, Mahler, Albéniz, Granados, and Falla.
- Cellist Pau Casals, particularly his interpretations of Bach’s suites.
- The legendary opera singer Maria Callas, who is her “favorite of all time.”
This deep engagement with classical traditions, alongside contemporary inspirations such as Patti Smith and Bach, whose “free” and “irreverent” spirits she admires, shapes the maximalist sound of her new album. These influences are not merely replicated but are internalized and recontextualized within her unique artistic vision.
The Imperfection of Memory and Confessional Dynamics
The album delves into the complex nature of memory, acknowledging that some memories are real while others are “a little bit fabricated.” This vulnerability is expressed in a “confessional moment” within a song, highlighting the dynamic and subjective nature of personal history. The acceptance of “how imperfect memory is” allows for a fluidity in storytelling, where each explanation, at the moment of its telling, becomes “my truth.” This approach adds a unique depth to the lyrical content, inviting listeners to engage with narratives that are both authentic and artfully constructed.
Geographic Musings: Landscapes of Emotion
The interview concludes with a poignant exploration of various geographical locations and their emotional resonance, demonstrating Rosalía’s keen observational abilities.
- Milan: Associated with forgotten items, hinting at the transient nature of travel and experience.
- UK: A place of laughter, suggesting moments of joy and lightness amidst creative intensity.
- DC: Where faith was “lost,” indicating a period of profound questioning or disillusionment.
- Buenos Aires: Celebrated for its breathtaking sky, described as so close “you can reach it,” symbolizing boundless possibility and beauty.
- Japan: A land of “juxtaposition between playfulness” and nostalgia, capable of bringing one “in touch with that sadness that you didn’t want to face,” highlighting its powerful emotional impact.
- Madrid: A location of “a tough tough love,” anchoring the narrative back to intensely personal experiences.
These diverse settings form a “microcosmo, macrocosmo” — small personal experiences reflecting larger universal themes. This interplay between the intimate and the expansive, often through vivid imagery such as the tree roots breaking pavement in Los Angeles, forms a powerful undercurrent in Rosalía’s new album, deepening its lyrical and emotional landscape.
Rosalía: Encore Q&A
What is the new album by Rosalía discussed in the interview?
Rosalía’s new album discussed in the interview is titled ‘Lux’, and it is the follow-up to her critically acclaimed album ‘Motomami’.
How long did it take Rosalía to create her new album, ‘Lux’?
Rosalía spent a significant ‘three years’ devoted to the creation of her new album, ‘Lux’, allowing for deep immersion in the material.
How does Rosalía’s new album, ‘Lux’, differ from her previous work ‘Motomami’?
The new album ‘Lux’ marks a deliberate shift from the ‘minimalist’ style of ‘Motomami’ to a ‘maximalist’ sound, embracing a more expansive and layered approach.
What inspired Rosalía’s new album, ‘Lux’?
A key inspiration for Rosalía’s new album ‘Lux’ was an intensive study of theology and spirituality, with a focus on how sainthood is understood across various cultures.
What kind of instruments does Rosalía use on her new album, ‘Lux’?
The album ‘Lux’ prioritizes ‘acoustic instruments’, aiming for a sound that conveys human elements like ‘wood, metals’, and intentionally avoids using loops.