The creation of Rosalía’s latest album, a project described as maximalist and deeply introspective, spanned approximately three years of dedicated work. This extensive timeline, as detailed in her interview with Zane Lowe, underscores a profound commitment to her artistic process and an evolution from the more minimalist approach observed in her acclaimed album, *Motomami*. Such a prolonged period of development is a testament to the meticulous craftsmanship and intellectual depth that characterize her current musical endeavor, which delves into spiritual and philosophical themes.
During the interview, Rosalía articulated a comprehensive vision for her songwriting, emphasizing the intricate balance between the personal and the universal. Furthermore, the blur between detailed specificity and abstract interpretation is deliberately explored, creating a rich tapestry of meaning within her compositions. A core belief held by Rosalía is that authentic fiction, or art, must contain an inherent truth, while simultaneously transcending the self to speak to a broader audience. This philosophical foundation significantly shapes Rosalía’s creative journey and musical output.
Embracing Imperfection: The Leonard Cohen Influence
Inspiration is often found in unexpected places, and for Rosalía, the wisdom of Leonard Cohen proved particularly influential during her album’s production. The iconic poet and musician’s famous adage, “Forget your perfect offering. There is a crack in everything. That’s how the light gets in,” became a guiding principle. This sentiment fostered an environment where vulnerability and imperfection were not merely tolerated but actively sought out, allowing a unique “light” to permeate the music. The intentional acceptance of these creative fissures is believed to enhance the emotional resonance and authenticity of the sound, echoing Cohen’s profound understanding of human experience.
The desire to invite this “light” into her work prompted Rosalía to consider the title *Luz*, signifying a project deeply concerned with illumination and revelation. This approach highlights an artistic maturity, where the pursuit of pristine perfection is superseded by the embrace of a more organic, flawed beauty. Consequently, listeners are presented with compositions that are both meticulously crafted and imbued with raw, human emotion, distinguishing her latest work from previous efforts.
Dedication and Deliberation in Album Development
The extensive three-year period dedicated to the album’s creation demanded immense patience, a quality Rosalía admits is continuously being refined with each new project. This journey included a significant phase of isolation, during which an entire year was devoted solely to reading and writing lyrics. Such a concentrated period of solitary work reflects a deep immersion in her craft, deliberately stepping away from the typical societal and social demands. Despite working closely with a trusted circle of collaborators, including her engineer David, with whom she has worked for six years, a considerable amount of time was spent alone, meticulously refining her lyrical narratives.
A crucial commitment made by Rosalía was to “finish the thought” in every song, a departure from her previous tendencies. This meant pursuing each musical and lyrical idea to its complete and natural conclusion, rather than intentionally disrupting or breaking the song. This disciplined approach to songwriting, arranging, and production allowed for substantial growth as an artist. The deliberate avoidance of stylistic shortcuts ensured that each composition was fully realized, contributing to the album’s perceived maximalist character.
Global Spirituality as an Artistic Catalyst
Rosalía’s creative process for the new album was profoundly influenced by extensive theological studies and a comprehensive exploration of global spirituality. Her research involved delving into various cultures and religions, examining how “sainthood” is conceived and understood differently across the world. This academic curiosity led her to study diverse figures such as the Rishis in Hinduism, the Xian immortals in Taoism, the Tzadikim in Judaism, and the “God’s friends” in Islam.
To deepen her understanding, Rosalía installed a *mapamundi* (world map) in her studio, systematically reading hagiographies—the biographies of saints—from various regions. This comparative study introduced her to a multitude of captivating female figures, including nuns and poets like Santa Rosa de Lima, Santa Rosalía de Palermo, Hildegard von Bingen, Bimala, and Santa Olga de Kiev. These powerful women became significant inspirations, with their stories channeled into the album’s lyrical themes. This multidisciplinary research forms a unique intellectual framework for her latest work, demonstrating a rich intercultural dialogue. The album reportedly incorporates around 14 languages, including Spanish, Italian, Japanese, and Arabic, further reflecting this globalized spiritual and cultural exploration.
The Interplay of Self and Other in Lyrical Expression
While Rosalía’s artistic output is intrinsically linked to her personal experiences, she articulates a nuanced perspective: her songs are about her, yet simultaneously not about her. This paradox is resolved by her belief that the most compelling fiction resides in the blurry line between the personal and the universal, the detailed and the abstract. Pieces of her truth are undeniably present in the music, but the overarching intent is to celebrate and understand “the otherness.” This approach fosters a sense of connection in an increasingly divided world.
Specific tracks from the album exemplify this philosophy. For instance, “Relikia” is inspired by Santa Rosa de Lima and the dispersion of her relics globally, symbolizing journeys and widespread influence. “Mia” was a meticulously crafted piece that took an entire year to complete, influenced by the strong bond between Santa Clara de Asís and San Francisco de Asís. Similarly, “Magnolias” draws inspiration from Ananda Mayi Ma, an Indian guru known for radiating peace and joy, transforming a contemplation of mortality into a celebration. “La Yugular” is deeply rooted in the teachings of Rabi’a, a Sufi woman who advocated for loving God purely for God Himself, without fear or desire for reward, emphasizing the interconnectedness of “the great and the small” in Islamic culture. These narratives collectively showcase Rosalía’s dedication to weaving historical and spiritual figures into her own contemporary artistic narrative.
From Maximalism to Materiality: A Sonic Shift
The current album marks a deliberate departure from the stylistic inclinations of *Motomami*, which Rosalía characterized as more “grounded” and explorative of “mundanidad” or worldliness. The new project, in contrast, is described as seeking “verticality,” signifying a move towards more spiritual and introspective themes. This evolution is also reflected in the album’s sonic architecture; a strict rule was implemented to avoid loops, ensuring that every repetition, even in vocal melodies, was freshly sung and played. This intentional human touch, emphasizing acoustic instruments and physical materiality—wood, metals, and natural breaks—creates an immersive sonic experience, allowing the listener to perceive the presence of human hands and hearts throughout the compositions. This commitment to raw, human performance underscores Rosalía’s dedication to her latest musical vision.
The Human Element: Rejecting Repetition
The conscious decision to forgo digital loops throughout the album, even in highly frantic or anxious sections like the ending of “Diablo,” emphasizes a profound commitment to human artistry. Each note and vocal inflection is performed live, contributing to a sense of organic flow and authentic expression. This contrasts sharply with prevalent contemporary production techniques, where loops are commonly utilized. The musical journey from point A to point B is treated as an experience in itself, prioritizing the transition and the “go through it” philosophy over abrupt cuts. Consequently, the album is imbued with a palpable physicality, inviting listeners into a space where every sound feels intentionally handcrafted and deeply resonant, rather than electronically replicated.
The Fluidity of Artistic Identity
Rosalía views identity not as a fixed construct but as something fluid and continuously evolving. This perspective is a driving force behind her artistic exploration, leading her to embrace change and reject previous creative comfort zones. She asserts that one can “choose who you are and you can change every day,” a discipline that requires courage to move forward and potentially leave behind aspects of oneself or one’s past work that were once celebrated. This “violent change,” as described by Zane Lowe, is seen by Rosalía as a beautiful and necessary process for growth, echoing the shapeshifting artistic personae of figures like David Bowie and the raw narrative honesty of Nick Cave. The ability to embody different selves and tell stories in all their layers, accepting the theatricality of creation, is highly valued.
Her openness to learning and collaboration is evident in her admiration for writers like Julian Casablancas of The Strokes, with whom she expresses a desire to co-write. This eagerness to be pushed in different creative directions and to understand songwriting from varied perspectives highlights an ongoing commitment to artistic development. Rosalía’s current album, with its profound philosophical underpinnings and meticulous craftsmanship, stands as a powerful testament to her ever-evolving artistic process.
Continuing the ROSALÍA Conversation: Q&A
What is the name of Rosalía’s new album mentioned in the interview?
The article discusses Rosalía’s latest album, which she considered titling ‘Luz,’ meaning illumination and revelation.
How long did it take Rosalía to create her latest album?
Rosalía spent approximately three years of dedicated work on her latest album, making it a deeply introspective project.
What major artist influenced Rosalía during the album’s creation?
Leonard Cohen was a significant influence, with his saying about embracing imperfection becoming a guiding principle for her work.
How is this new album different from her previous album, *Motomami*?
While *Motomami* explored worldly themes, this new album aims for more spiritual and introspective ‘verticality,’ and avoids digital loops in its production.
What kind of research did Rosalía do for her new album’s themes?
She extensively studied global spirituality and theological concepts, examining how ‘sainthood’ is understood across various cultures and religions.