In the vibrant city of Los Angeles, Natalia Lafourcade embarked on an artistic journey with her latest album, “Cancionera.” She uncovered an unexpected alter ego that guided her toward a realm of creative enlightenment. Throughout her illustrious career, Lafourcade has expressed her emotions openly; however, with “Cancionera,” she felt liberated to embrace a playful spirit, showcasing her diverse talents on her 12th studio album, set for release this Thursday.
“Cancionera” inspired Lafourcade to question and explore her true identity: “Who are you, really?” she mused. This introspective journey encouraged her to recognize the many facets of her being, and translating the album title as “singer” in English, she found a whole world of possibilities opening before her. Lafourcade, a winner of four Grammy Awards and 18 Latin Grammys, embraced Cancionera’s duality and the array of energies—earthly, volatile, romantic—that began to illuminate her artistic landscape.
The album, featuring 14 tracks, offers listeners a passage back to the Golden Age of Mexican cinema, which dominated Latin America from the 1930s to the 1950s and gained international acclaim. This influential era introduced stars like Pedro Infante and Maria Félix while popularizing surrealist cinema. “This album is rich in symbolism, drawing inspiration from Mexico’s surrealism, its traditions, and cultural motifs. I aimed to pay tribute to the singers and storytellers of life,” Lafourcade conveyed through an email exchange.
From the opening notes of “Apertura Cancionera,” the album invites listeners to experience a cinematic journey, as if the vibrant red curtain lifts to reveal a classic black-and-white screen. “It reminded me of cinematic characters, those we admired like (Mexican actor) Tin Tan, and placed within these surreal worlds brimming with tropical essence and melodies crafted by Agustín Lara,” Lafourcade shared. However, this project represents her personal interpretation, deeply rooted in the language and everyday tales of Mexican life.
Lafourcade’s rich discography includes a tribute to Lara with her 2012 album “Mujer Divina: Homenaje a Agustín Lara.” “Cancionera” revisits her singer-songwriter roots with acoustic tracks like “Como Quisiera Quererte,” which features El David Aguilar. Co-produced by Adan Jodorowsky, who also worked on Lafourcade’s Grammy-winning “De Todas Las Flores,” “Cancionera” captures the essence of spontaneity, recorded in one take on analog tape with collaborators such as Aguilar, Hermanos Gutiérrez, Israel Fernández, and others.
For Lafourcade, “Cancionera” served as an exploration of her artistic self and her alter ego. The creation of visual assets coincided with her distinctive recording process, prompting her to express herself through painting and movement. “This process broadened my perspective and made me more attuned to my surroundings. I started painting, liberating my creative and imaginative spirit,” she revealed.
An underlying theme throughout Lafourcade’s music is her connection to Veracruz, the same Mexican state that nurtured the legendary composer Agustín Lara. Known for its vibrant arts scene, Veracruz’s cultural essence naturally weaves through the album, evoking imagery in tracks like “Cocos en la Playa” and “La Bruja,” a reinterpretation of a beloved local folk song. “I cherish the everyday life in Mexico—its markets, its streets, its mysterious nights—and the city’s clandestine nooks and characters. Mexico is a tapestry of beauty: strong, dark, and luminous things,” Lafourcade articulated. “This duality is mirrored in the lyrics and melodies.”
Fans can engage with Lafourcade’s artistic persona as she embarks on the “Cancionera” tour, starting Thursday in Xalapa, Mexico. The tour will encompass stops throughout the United States, Canada, and Latin America, with additional performances in Spain, allowing audiences to experience the album’s vibrant world and Lafourcade’s newly embraced alter ego.