At 2,000 meters above sea level or above the ground: Belén Aguilera’s success has no limits and proof of this has been how he has made us enjoy his music, his energy and his good vibes at Nevalia 2024. The artist has climbed to the top of the Formigal ski slopes to sing her most legendary songs to all those who would like to warm up in a different way. Something that made her “very excited” and that made her feel “lucky.”
Hours before climbing to the top of the mountain, dressed in the most wintery look, at WECB we were able to speak with the author of Mr. Hyde, one of his latest singles, and with a laugh he told us that he “was demonstrating” his next performance at the Nevalia. Belén has performed in the most diverse places, but doing so in what she considers “an oasis in the middle of nowhere” made her “especially excited.”
You just released Lolita, how has the reception been?
The truth is that it has been the best reception of any single I have had. The feedback has been the most positive I have received to date and I am very happy on all levels. I really like that we start the year with another era and respecting the times. For me, let Metanoia in 2023 and that Lolita Whether it is the beginning of 2024, it is like making a difference both sonically and aesthetically and, if the public liked it, I am happy.
What is the true meaning that Lolita has for you?
Lolita part of the novel that we all know, which is super murky, but I am referring to the concept of Young and pretty. That is for me the concept of Lolita: a concept that linked beauty to youth and a sweet stage… and perhaps an innocence.
Belén Aguilera in Nevalia.
The chorus says that you want to always feel “young and pretty”, do you feel pressure from the passage of time and aesthetic pressure?
I think so, obviously. I think we all feel aesthetic pressure and the passage of time is an issue that plays against us. As a woman who is natural and grows over the years, time does not go backwards. Yes, I observe the taboo regarding the aging of women, for example, in the cinema women’s wrinkles are covered. The aesthetic pressure obviously becomes greater with the years. In the end, everything grows in importance.
This was an important point for me and, above all, for women who make music. I’ve seen it in headlines referring to The Rolling Stones and Madonna… you have to see the misogyny that someone is called ridiculous for getting on stage and the Rolling Stones, the older they get, it’s like: ‘how long have they lived!’ It seems that women expire, for me an older woman doing whatever she wants is incredible, but it makes me angry that socially it is not understood that way and I would like to fight for that to happen. I support and consume projects by artists that are super timeless, like Caroline Polachek, Lana del Rey…
Your current sound is hyperpop, but now there is a more organic change… will we see the girl with the piano again?
Well yes. I come from completely organic. My origins are string instruments, piano and voice. There I have been investigating the sounds. In the end, if I always stayed in the same thing, I wouldn’t feel like I was learning. At first I liked the organic sound more, even if it was a more balladry pop. Afterwards, I went more to mainstream pop and, later, to international pop. When I had experienced that sound I went to hyperpop, but now I think I have a very broad sound and, instead of focusing my project on just one, I would like my next project to encompass all those sounds.
The misogyny that exists in Madonna being called ridiculous for getting on stage and the Rolling Stones being perceived as ‘how long they’ve lived!’
— Belen Aguilera
As you said, Lolita and Mr. Hyde are a transition to your next album, what can we expect from it?
For me Mr. Hyde is an extension of Metanoia and Lolita Yes, sonically one step further. On the one hand, I’m working on an album and, on the other hand – like Lolita—, singles that allow me to continue learning, continue working and continue having fun without the pressure of thinking about a bigger project, but also without being stopped. I love productivity.
Lolita It is a single that remains halfway between what it was and what it will be. I think that what you can expect from a more global project is to talk about more transcendental things, less literal lyrics, perhaps very deep concerns about the fear of growing old and of everything ending. It’s more like that, I’m going to cover everything.
Have you heard the song that will represent Spain in Eurovision? What do you think of Zorra?
I’m glad you’re going Bitch to Eurovision. In the end it is a success and a triumph for a wonderful, intelligent and assertive woman who is an adult and I think it is amazing that we support projects like this. I think she has so much activism just by existing, she says so many things just by existing, that there is no need to say anything else. It seems to me that she says it all. The song says it all. And that the proposal has won also says many things.
Belén Aguilera in Nevalia 2024
Do you think Zorra and Lolita have things in common?
Total. Perhaps what I think they have in common, I who am a very positive and at the same time very catastrophic person, is that point of hopeful response. It’s like my relief. I release this song as a concern and this (Bitch) I take it as a response as something relieving.
We are still in February… What other plans do you have for 2024?
So many things… The truth is that I am very happy because I don’t stop working and as I said I am working on a more global project and then I also have singles. Right now at a professional level I have everything I want, that’s why I only ask to grow. Let everything stay the same, but be bigger. Little by little, that progressive growth that I think I have had, so maintain it.
