Spanish music has never burned stronger than right now: Rosalía is storming the charts and selling out arenas with her latest record “Lux“, while Aitana has her international breakthrough moment with the anthem”Superstar“Today, another artist steps forward to cement his place in that landscape – say hi to Sofia Martín.
You may already know her in several ways. Perhaps from her collaborations with internationally acclaimed DJs such as Imanbek or VIZE. Maybe you danced to her European smash hit “Toxic“, or watched her compete in the 2023 Spanish pre-selection for the Eurovision Song Contest – where, she now proudly proclaims, she scored the fewest points ever awarded to an artist. Or you might have simply pressed play on one of the songs she co-wrote that amassed 50 million streams each on Spotify.
Anyway, today is the day you will get to know the real her. She returns bolder, sharper and more fully himself than ever before — with his second studio album,“SPAIN LOVES ME“.
The record was written and produced in collaboration with both old and new friends, among them high-profile producers such as SHOW (Tokio Hotel, Sam Feldt, Alan Walker) and Olive Epsom (Robbie Williams and James Blunt). Sofia even worked with international and national Hyperpop royalty on the record as she could collaborating with one of PC Music’s earliest signings, GFOTY, on a LVL1 production (Rakky Ripper).
Together they have created one of the most interesting concept albums we have heard in a long time. Across the nine tracks, which include the insanely catchy pre-singles “AMÉN” and her viral TikTok hit “DO YOU SPEAK SPANISH??, Sofia Martín smart explores her heritage and identity, all without taking the subject too seriously.
“I wanted to present my own perspective: a Spain that is open, diverse, multifaceted and free.”Sofia Martín shared with us in an exclusive interview.
The result is a collection of songs that are both personal and catchy and create a world of their own. “I wanted to play with it — with clichés, pop culture and irony but at the same time tell a sincere story.“Sofia told us.”For a long time I felt caught between two worlds. It used to worry me because I thought I had to choose or clearly belong somewhere. But at some point I realized that this gap is actually my strength.”
You can hear her hone these strengths on songs like “I LOVE SPAIN” or “DO YOU SPEAK SPANISH??”: Nice songwriting which made us laugh on more than one occasion is perfectly paired with bouncy dance beats. The songs are fun, energetic and above all very well-crafted pop music.
On other tracks on the disc, such as ““MY HOUSE IS YOUR HOUSE” or “WITCHCRAFT“, Sofia digs further into her roots, just on different sides of the spectrum. “MI CASA ES TU CASA” places the two singers’ vocals over a insanely sexy-sleazy Eurosummer beatroughly early 2010s. Think Alexandra Stan’s iconic single ‘Lollipop’ and kick it up a notch, with GFOTY delivering just the right style. “WITCHCRAFT“, on the other hand, sees the singer belting her heart and soul over flamenco music. It’s her most personal song ever, as she told us: “I wrote the song during a time when I really wasn’t feeling well, and it was never actually meant to be released“, she told us.”It was definitely scary to show myself like this, because I open up so much. But at the same time, it also feels brave — and above all right.“
“SPAIN LOVES ME” feels like the most logical step in the singer’s career: it’s a well-rounded new record that both feels true to her artistry while playfully expanding it. We get to hear an artist blossom before our eyes while happily experimenting with her music. And we can’t wait to hear what happens next.
Be sure to check it out here.
And don’t forget to read our interview with the singer. We had the wonderful opportunity to speak with the singer and ask her all our burning questions. Spoiler: it became very open and honest.
Hi Sofia! do you speak spanish
No! Do you speak English?
On a scale of 1-10: How excited are you that your second album ‘SPAIN LOVES ME’ has just come out and your first concert is next week?
I am incredibly happy and proud. So much work and so much of myself has gone into this album – things you often don’t see from the outside. I’m more like a 5/10 in excitement, but 10/10 in anticipation. Maybe the nerves will kick in later, but right now the joy just outweighs everything else.
The new album plays very lovingly with the Spanish nationality and some clichés. Where did the inspiration come from and when did you realize “Okay, this is my subject”?
The project stems from a very real feeling in my life: this feeling of being “homeless”. For a long time I felt caught between two worlds – in Spain I was “German”, in Germany “the Spaniard”.
It used to worry me because I thought I had to choose or clearly belong somewhere. But at some point I realized it this very space is actually my strength – and also my home.
From that moment it was clear to me that this was my subject. I wanted to play with it – with clichés, pop culture and irony – but at the same time tell an honest story.
I think the topic is particularly important right now because there are many discussions about it in Spain: What is Spain? Who is Spanish – and who is not?
With this album I wanted to show my own perspective: a Spain that is open, diverse, multifaceted and free – where you don’t have to fit into a box to belong.
We remember that you kicked things off in early 2025 with “Escondite Inglés” and teased a few songs. A few months later, the first official single from the new album, “Te Olvidé”, was released. Take us through your thought process: What happened to the other songs and how did the switch come about?
To be honest, I didn’t have a clear plan in the beginning. I just wrote songs because I love doing it.
Many of them succeeded, but this time it was important for me to work with a clear concept. In the end, the songs on the album are the ones that really fit into this world. The other songs aren’t gone – they just belong to another chapter right now.
If we remember correctly, the album was actually supposed to be an EP. How did it come to be a full-length album instead?
Officially it’s an EP, but to me it feels like an album. In terms of concept and the work that went into it, it is a complete project.
In the video for “I LOVE SPAIN” we see you as a small child, and “BRUJERÍA” sounds like something completely new to you. What was it like: Was it fun to show these sides of yourself, or was it also scary?
“I LOVE SPAIN” is, for me, almost the heart of the project. The song takes me back to my roots, and to that feeling I already had as a child – that feeling of being in between, but also that deep love for Spain.
“BRUJERÍA” shows a completely different side of me. I wrote the song during a time when I really wasn’t feeling well, and it was never actually meant to be released. I write a lot of songs just for myself, not knowing if anyone will ever hear them. When I finally showed it to my team, everyone encouraged me to finish it.
It was definitely scary to show myself like this, because I open up so much. But at the same time, it also feels brave — and above all right. And ultimately, this vulnerable, honest side is also part of who I am as an artist.
Overall, the new songs seem a lot more self-deprecating and also more relaxed to me than they did on your first album two years ago. You only need to read the lyrics to “AMÉN” or “I LOVE SPAIN.” Was it a conscious decision, or did it come organically, for example through your collaboration with your producers?
I think it’s just part of who I am. I am a very optimistic person and often try to take things with humor.
Especially with a subject like this, I deliberately wanted to bring a sense of lightness to it. At the same time, I have learned to express myself more clearly and to play more with language.
Speaking of “AMÉN”: You can play guitar and studied music. How did that prepare you to write songs like “Hablas Español” or “AMÉN”? Do you ever need to laugh at yourself while writing?
To be honest, songs like these don’t necessarily make studying music any easier. On the contrary, it is precisely these seemingly simple, direct and funny texts that are often the most difficult. I find it much easier to hide behind metaphors or write classic love songs. The challenge here was to write something that is clear and accessible, but still has a strong message.
And yes – I really laugh at myself a lot when I write and get excited when I come up with a good punchline.
With “AMÉN” the religious aspect was an extra challenge because I knew exactly what I wanted to say, but also that it could be interpreted in different ways. In the end, though, it was important to me that it felt right – and that it was fun.
Especially in today’s music and in the industry, I feel that we women can and must express ourselves much better.
You have a collaboration with, among others, GFOTY and LVL1 on your record: how did you choose them?
In this case, it was a bit of magic: I’d had this idea in my head for years and created countless versions of it, but it never quite felt right.
The record was actually already finished, but one day, when I was really busy hanging out in the studio, I decided to give the song another try. Suddenly everything fell into place – I wrote my verse and built a new production. I then sent the song directly to my creative director, Chema Díaz – just on a whim. And that evening he passed it on to the two artists. Within hours everyone was on board, and a few days later the song was ready.
It was one of those moments when you realize: Some things just take time – and then happen at exactly the right moment.
You went back to Benidorm for the album and the video shoot. How was it for you to go back there after your participation in Bendiform Fest 2023?
Nice. I’m from nearby and have many memories there. It almost feels like a small home. I received an incredibly warm welcome – and this time I was even able to bring my dog back with me.
Let’s assume that “SPAIN LOVES ME” really takes off: Would you venture to “Germany Loves Me” next?
Maybe that’s the plan.
you sing”I love Spain and Spain loves me”: what do you love most about Spain?
The people and the mindset. That openness, the warmth, that zest for life. And yes… the food too. And maybe the paella too.
If you could recommend one track from your album to the readers of this interview, what would it be and why?
Intro. You’ll understand why when you hear it.
You once shared in your Stories that you are taking dance lessons now. Do you have the steps down for the concert yet?
Good question… let yourself be surprised.
Last but not least, a look into the crystal ball: What can people expect from Sofia Martín in the coming months?
Lots of festivals, solo concerts, new music and trips – even outside of Europe. And then we’ll see where “SPAIN LOVES ME” takes us.
Any final closing words?
Today I understand something else: My home is not a place, but the moment when I come to myself – and where I am loved just as I am. I may not always know where I belong, but I know who I want to join. Thank you to everyone who is a part of this journey.
Spain loves me and I love you.
And we love Sofia Martin!
Let us know what you think of Sofía Martín’s new album and if you’ll be seeing her live next week. Don’t forget to tag us here: | X| |
