by Rosalía
Released March 18, 2022 via Columbia Records
Reviewed March 30, 2022
Top tracks (based on community voting)
HENTAI (41%), SAOKO (34%), LA FAMA (28%)
As someone who hopped on the Rosalía bandwagon shortly after the release of El Mal Querer, it’s remarkable seeing how she rose to superstardom almost immediately afterwards. She landed collabs with some of the current biggest English and Spanish speaking musicians, but her one-off releases between 2019 and 2022 were a mixed bag. For every “Relación (Remix),” there was a “Fucking Money Man.” We didn’t know what was in store for the up-and-coming star, except that it would likely be influenced by Latin music. With her whole life changing along with her career, MOTOMAMI is a highly personal album that represents Rosalía’s life nowadays. In sound itself, the album itself is very avant-garde and unlike most of her past work, which were largely based on a groundwork of flamenco. MOTOMAMI, while mainly built on reggaeton, is a fusion of many different genres, all of which she knows her way around. It’s no coincidence that she joined forces with some of the greatest producers of the 21st century (The Neptunes, Burial, Tainy). With MOTOMAMI, Rosalía proves yet again that no matter the language or the genre, she’s way ahead of the curve and one of the most creative artists in her lane right now. We may not know or be prepared for what she’ll do next, but whatever it is, it’ll defy all expectations. – Alan (7.9/10)
In exploration of duality, in search of limitlessness, MOTOMAMI quickly becomes the most personally revealing album in Rosalía’s discography. Within a continuously intimate frame, the album becomes a series of musical cross-sections; and while the juxtapositions pique interest, executing in-song combinations yields inconsistent results. MOTOMAMI serves to contrast, from its title to its paralleled styles and influences, creating an experience that is at odds with itself. Brute machinery is thematically linked to a softer beauty, as they work against one another to reinforce duality in the singer. Thankfully, Rosalía’s pristine vocal performances across the record make it worth every listen. – DeVán (7.5/10)
Alan: 7.9/10 | Pax: 7.7/10 | DeVán: 7.5/10 | Hadley: 7.5/10 | Cam: 7.3/10 | Dominick: 7.2/10
