Rosalía has just released her latest album Motomami, and the internet doesn’t know how to feel about it. A lot of her fans initially expected more pseudo-flamenco-like music, but as she started releasing songs such as CHICKEN TERIYAKI and HENTAI weeks before the album came out, the sudden realization that the young Spanish artist might have chosen to experiment rather than to appease expectations became real.
The 16 songs that comprise the album are all over the place in the best way possible. Her range goes from her usual ovations to folklore to club bangers, and a lot of new never-heard-before arrangements in-between. In this article, I’ve categorized all of them into different groups based on the reaction they have received and the vibes they give. Are you ready to see what your favorite Motomami songs say about you?
SAOKO AND CHICKEN TERIYAKI – Reggaeton lover
Both of these songs were released respectively during February, leading up to March 18th—the album’s launch. Many fans were stranged by the seemingly “hard to understand” lyrics found in both songs, but the beats have already started taking over people’s party playlists and nightclubs. If these are some of your favorite Motomami tracks, you definitely appreciate Rosalia’s experimentation with Reggaeton. Even though she’s been criticized for abandoning her classic traditional sound and becoming more mainstream, you’re here for her rebirth as an artist and collabs with other big industry names such as Ozuna and J Balvin.
LA FAMA, BULERÍAS, DELIRIO DE GRANDEZA, SAKURA – Nostalgic fan
You’re probably a big Los ángeles and El mal querer fan, and waiting for a third masterpiece. Even if this album doesn’t have as many plays on classic genres, these four songs show some of the genre-mash you saw coming. LA FAMA has been out for long enough to expect more songs like it, but you probably were mostly surprised by SAKURA. The last track of the album exposes Rosalía’s most vulnerable attempt at explaining her experience with fame, which alongside her incredible rendition probably gave you goosebumps when you first heard it.
HENTAI, G3 N15, COMO UN G – Awake during sad boy hours
These three songs are about completely different things, but they all hit hard. HENTAI, her most controversial Motomami song, depicts a type of lust that’s full of contrasts—innocent yet rough. G3 N15 is about missing one’s home; she wrote it for her 10-year-old nephew which she has not seen in a long time. If these three are among your favorite tracks, I’m sure really connected with the vulnerability shown within contexts of love and family. You probably listen to sad music when you feel down just to feel things more—some call it self-inflicted pain, but for you, it’s just a way to cope.
CANDY, DIABLO, LA COMBI VERSACE – Dances feelings away at the club
These three songs gave me very similar vibes. They feel like club songs, but not too upbeat. These are perfect for dancing your feelings away, not caring about how you look while doing so. Tokischa is no stranger to Rosalia collabs, having been featured in the song Linda, and you were probably hyped about LA COMBI VERSACE. Even though it’s not as upbeat, it’s equally great for a night out.
BIZCOCHITO, MOTOMAMI, CUUUUuuuuuute, Abcdefg – Into musical experimentation
Finally, these last tracks are definitely Motomami’s most abstract and adventurous pieces. BIZCOCHITO stays more to the safe Reggaeton side, while MOTOMAMI and CUUUUuuuuuute are harder to try and identify at first. If these four songs caught your attention the most, you’re definitely a big supporter of Rosalía’s metamorphosis into a multi-genre artist. You’ve always thought she was talented, but her last album has definitely challenged your expectations and opinions on the artist.
At the end of the day, Rosalia has openly stated that Motomami captures both her passion for genres such as flamenco and her experience being away from her hometown over the last couple of years. She has emphasized how humor and experimentation were vital for her to process distance from family and friends during the pandemic, being equally present in many of the album’s tracks—specifically Abcdefg. Even though there are mixed opinions on what’s expected of her in the future, it is evident she’s just experimenting with many different genres and styles. There is a song for every type of fan, which is why I consider this album to be a great success.