La Fuerza

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La Fuerza
Christina Aguilera - La Fuerza.png
EP by
Christina Aguilera
ReleasedJanuary 21, 2022
GenreLatin[1]
Length19:17
LanguageSpanish
LabelSony Latin
Producer
  • Rafa Arcaute
  • DallasK
  • JonTheProducer
  • Yasmil Marrufo
  • Federico Vindver
Christina Aguilera chronology
Liberation
(2018) 		La Fuerza
(2022) 		La Tormenta
(2022)
Singles from La Fuerza
  1. "Pa Mis Muchachas"
    Released: October 22, 2021
  2. "Somos Nada"
    Released: November 18, 2021
  3. "Santo"
    Released: January 20, 2022

La Fuerza (transl. The Strength) is an extended play (EP) by American singer-songwriter Christina Aguilera, featured on her second Spanish-language album, Aguilera (2022). It was released by Sony Music Latin on January 21, 2022 as the first part of the album.[2] It is her first solo EP, after her 2003 split EP with Justin Timberlake, Justin & Christina.

Collaborators for the EP include producers Frederico Vindver, Jean Rodríguez as well as singers Becky G, Nicki Nicole and Nathy Peluso, who are featured on the EP's lead single. La Fuerza was preceded by the release of three singles: "Pa Mis Muchachas" with Becky G, Nicki Nicole featuring Nathy Peluso, "Somos Nada", and "Santo" with Ozuna. Upon release, the EP received positive reviews and debuted at number two on the US Latin Pop Albums. La Fuerza is followed by a second EP titled, La Tormenta.

Background and recording[edit]

"At home I used to listen to music in Spanish. Now, as a mom, having the career I've had, with over twenty years in the industry, I am happy not to have recorded this earlier, because now I've got a better perspective [as an artist]."[3]

—Aguilera, about La Fuerza (2022)

In 2000, Aguilera released her second studio album Mi Reflejo, her first Spanish-language album, which went on to be ranked number ten on the Billboard's Top 20 Latin Albums of All Time and become the best selling Latin pop album of 2000.[4][5]

Aguilera began teasing the release of her second "overdue" Spanish-language album two decades later in late 2020, noting in a Health magazine interview in April 2021 that, "I'm months away from anything being announced [...] I am reinspired and have reconnected with myself. I've fallen in love with music all over again, which is a really big thing to say, having spent my entire career in music".[6]

Aguilera noted that she took advantage of the COVID-19 pandemic to retreat to Miami, Florida in a COVID-safe writing camp with the intention to pay homage to her Ecuadorian heritage. The album was recorded over four weeks, with the first song recorded being the album's lead single, "Pa' Mis Muchachas".[7] Aguilera further teased the release of the album in an interview with Insider in September 2021.[8] Aguilera revealed that she planned to release the album "throughout the next year in sort of six song increments every few months".[9] In an interview with the Los Angeles Times, Aguilera revealed that the album would be released in three pieces, confirming that the first part of the album would be titled La Fuerza and that it would celebrate her power as a woman.[10] The full Spanish album, Aguilera was released on May 31, 2022 and features all of the songs from the EP La Fuerza as well as its follow-up La Tormenta.[11]

Music and lyrics[edit]

Main article: Aguilera (album) § Music and content

La Fuerza is a Latin EP, influenced by dance-pop, piano ballads, ranchera, urbano music, cumbia, guaracha and reggaeton.[1][12]

Singles[edit]

On October 19, 2021, Aguilera began posting clips of the EP's lead single and its accompanying music video on her social media. "Pa' Mis Muchachas" (English: "For My Girls") was released on October 22, 2021, alongside its music video. The song is a collaboration between Aguilera, Becky G and Nicki Nicole, and it features Argentine singer and songwriter Nathy Peluso.[13][14] Aguilera noted that the video is a "first episode of a long story to come [...] This is a celebration of individuality. This is a story about strength, about how to let your hair down. About rediscovering yourself along the way".[15]

The second single, a piano ballad titled "Somos Nada" (English: "We Are Nothing"), was released on November 18, 2021, alongside its music video. The song was written by Aguilera, Mario Domm, Sharlene Taule and Federico Vindver.[16] Aguilera performed the first two singles at the 22nd Annual Latin Grammy Awards, accompanied by Becky G, Nicole and Peluso.[17]

"Santo" (English: "Holy") with Puerto Rican singer Ozuna was released on January 20, 2022, as the EP's third single.[18] Although not confirmed a single, Aguilera released a music video for "La Reina" on May 6, 2022.[19]

Critical reception[edit]

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Atwood Magazine8.5/10[12]
Rolling Stone[20]

Upon release, the EP received positive reviews.[21] La Fuerza was named the best album of the week by Billboard Argentina.[22] Reviewing the EP for Rolling Stone, Lucas Villa wrote that Aguilera's "vocal prowess is extraordinary in any language", and labelled its ballads as "highlights", considering "La Reina" the best song on the record.[20] Billboard described La Fuerza as "not only an homage to her [Aguilera's] Latin roots but a project full of passion, innovation, exploration and, of course, powerhouse vocals."[1] Josh Weiner, writing for Atwood Magazine, praised the EP for its quality and gave it a 8.5/10 score. The reviewer opined that La Fuerza "is nineteen minutes of excellent, fully-realized music", and cheered Aguilera for "embracing an exciting new artistic identity". Weiner concluded his review by claiming that "seeing the veteran performer shake things up so drastically in this late phase of her career is massively impressive".[12] Pip Ellwood-Hughes of Entertainment Focus claimed that "hearing her [Aguilera] singing in Spanish again is a joy and this collection of songs is better than anything she’s released in years".[23] Enrique Cerros from NEIU Independent gave La Fuerza a 5/5 score, and noted that it is "a successful comeback for Aguilera, and it can be considered her best work to date".[24] The Tab's Harrison Brocklehurst applauded the EP for its "excellent Latin bangers" and for the reggaeton beats that help Aguilera's voice "truly soar".[25]

Commercial performance[edit]

La Fuerza debuted at number two on the US Latin Pop Albums chart and at 14 on Top Latin Albums chart with 4,000 album-equivalent units sold of which 2,000 were pure album copies.[26] The EP has been commercially successful in Portugal,[27] Panama,[28] and Guatemala.[28]

Track listing[edit]

La Fuerza
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."Ya Llegué"
3:03
2."Pa Mis Muchachas" (with Becky G and Nicki Nicole featuring Nathy Peluso)
  • Arcaute
  • Vindver
3:36
3."Somos Nada"
  • Arcaute
  • Vindver
3:01
4."Santo" (with Ozuna)
3:03
5."Como Yo"
  • Aguilera
  • Vindver
  • Gino the Ghost
  • Juan Morelli
  • Dhalia
  • Arcaute
  • Tobias Wincorn
  • Arcaute
  • Vindver
2:46
6."La Reina"
  • Aguilera
  • Luigi Castillo
  • Santiago Castillo
  • Servando Primera
  • Marrufo
  • Arcaute
  • Vindver
  • Marrufo
3:48
Total length:19:17

Notes

  • All songs co-produced by Afo Verde
  • All songs vocally produced by Jean Rodríguez

Personnel[edit]

Musicians[edit]

  • Christina Aguilera – vocals
  • Federico Vindver – arrangement, keyboards, programming (all tracks), percussion (2)
  • JonTheProducer – arrangement, keyboards, programming (1)
  • Rafa Arcaute – arrangement, keyboards, programming (all tracks); percussion (2)
  • Jorge Luis Chacín – background vocals (2)
  • Kat Dahlia – background vocals (2)
  • Yasmil Marrufo – background vocals (2, 6); bass, guitar (6)
  • Yoel Henríquez – background vocals (2)
  • Matt Rollings – piano (3)
  • DallasK – arrangement, keyboards, programming (4)
  • Luigi Castillo – background vocals (6)
  • Santiago Castillo – background vocals (6)
  • Servando Primera – background vocals (6)

Technical[edit]

  • Jaycen Joshua – mastering, mixing
  • Federico Vindver – recording
  • Jean Rodríguez – recording
  • Rafa Arcaute – recording
  • Ray Charles Brown, Jr. – recording
  • José Aponte – recording (4)
  • Yasmil Marrufo – recording (6)
  • Felipe Trujillo – engineering assistance (1, 5)
  • Morgan David – engineering assistance (1, 5)

Charts[edit]

Chart performance for La Fuerza
Chart (2022) Peak
position
German Digital Albums (Official German Charts)[29] 46
Spanish Albums (PROMUSICAE)[30] 54
Swiss Albums (Schweizer Hitparade)[31] 79
UK Digital Albums (OCC)[32] 31
US Latin Pop Albums (Billboard)[33] 2
US Top Album Sales (Billboard)[34] 78
US Top Latin Albums (Billboard)[35] 14

Release history[edit]

Release history for La Fuerza
Region Date Format Label Ref.
Various January 21, 2022
Sony Music Latin [36]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c "Every Song on Christina Aguilera's 'La Fuerza' Ranked: Critic's Picks". Billboard. January 21, 2022. Archived from the original on January 22, 2022. Retrieved January 25, 2022.
  2. ^ Flores, Griselda (January 19, 2022). "Christina Aguilera Unveils Release Date & Tracklist for Her Upcoming Spanish-Language EP 'La Fuerza'". Billboard. Archived from the original on January 19, 2022. Retrieved January 20, 2022.
  3. ^ Hansen, Lena; Mangal, Mayra; Utset, Joaquim (March 9, 2022). "¿Quiénes son las 25 Mujeres Más Poderosas de People en Español? ¡Mira el resto de la lista!". People en Español (in Spanish). Dotdash Meredith. Archived from the original on March 11, 2022. Retrieved March 11, 2022.
  4. ^ Roiz, Jessica (October 11, 2020). "Hispanic Heritage Month: Longest-Leading Top Latin Albums Chart No. 1s Ever". Billboard. Archived from the original on January 18, 2022. Retrieved January 18, 2022.
  5. ^ "Top 20 Latin Albums Of All Time | Billboard". web.archive.org. October 4, 2018. Retrieved January 16, 2022.
  6. ^ Brandle, Lars (April 15, 2021). "Christina Aguilera Is Working on a Spanish-Language Album". Billboard. Archived from the original on January 18, 2022. Retrieved January 16, 2022.
  7. ^ "Christina Aguilera Returns to her Roots with a New All-Spanish Album". Ocean Drive. Archived from the original on January 6, 2022. Retrieved January 16, 2022.
  8. ^ Ahlgrim, Callie. "Christina Aguilera teases the release of her new Latin album — but fans shouldn't expect the new music all at once". Insider. Retrieved January 16, 2022.
  9. ^ "101.1 The Eagle on Twitter: Christina Aguilera Says New Music's Coming "Very Soon"". Twitter. Archived from the original on January 16, 2022. Retrieved January 16, 2022.
  10. ^ "Christina Aguilera habla de su ambicioso proyecto en español y de su sencillo con Becky G". Los Angeles Times en Español (in Spanish). October 22, 2021. Archived from the original on January 16, 2022. Retrieved January 16, 2022.
  11. ^ Major, Michael (May 31, 2022). "Christina Aguilera Releases New Album 'Aguilera'". Broadwayworld. Retrieved May 31, 2022.
  12. ^ a b c Weiner, Josh (January 28, 2022). "Our Take: Christina Aguilera Makes a Triumphant Return to Latin Music with 'La Fuerza'". Atwood Magazine. Archived from the original on January 29, 2022. Retrieved January 29, 2022.
  13. ^ "Christina Aguilera stuns in sexy Spanish-music comeback song 'Pa Mis Muchachas'". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on April 16, 2022. Retrieved October 24, 2021.
  14. ^ "Christina Aguilera Releases 'Pa Mis Muchachas' With Becky G, Nathy Peluso & Nicki Nicole: Listen". Billboard. Archived from the original on October 28, 2021. Retrieved October 24, 2021.
  15. ^ "Así es Pa Mis Muchachas, la canción de Nicki Nicole, Christina Aguilera, Nathy Peluso y Becky G: letra y vídeo". ELMUNDO (in Spanish). October 22, 2021. Archived from the original on March 3, 2022. Retrieved January 16, 2022.
  16. ^ "Listen to Christina Aguilera's new Spanish-language ballad 'Somos Nada'". NME. November 24, 2021. Archived from the original on January 25, 2022. Retrieved January 16, 2022.
  17. ^ "Christina Aguilera to Perform New Single 'Pa Mis Muchachas' at 2021 Latin GRAMMYs | Entertainment Tonight". www.etonline.com. Archived from the original on January 31, 2022. Retrieved January 16, 2022.
  18. ^ "Christina Aguilera Teases 'Santo' Collab With Ozuna & New EP 'La Fuerza': See The Photo". NewsOpener. Archived from the original on January 15, 2022. Retrieved January 15, 2022.
  19. ^ "CHRISTINA AGUILERA PREMIERES THE OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO OF 'LA REINA' SURROUNDED BY VIBRANT COLORS AND MEXICAN STAPLES". Hola!. Archived from the original on May 17, 2022. Retrieved May 21, 2022.
  20. ^ a b Villa, Lucas (January 24, 2022). "Christina Aguilera Successfully Embraces Her Roots on 'La Fuerza'". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on January 25, 2022. Retrieved January 25, 2022.
  21. ^ "Stream: Christina Aguilera's EP 'La Tormenta'". That Grape Juice. Townsquare Music. May 30, 2022. Archived from the original on June 4, 2022. Retrieved June 4, 2022.
  22. ^ "Billboard Álbum de la Semana: 'La Fuerza' de Christina Aguilera". Billboard Argentina (in Spanish). Sociedad de Editores ABC1. January 24, 2022. Archived from the original on January 25, 2022. Retrieved January 25, 2022.
  23. ^ Ellwood-Hughes, Pip (January 27, 2022). "Christina Aguilera – 'La Fuerza' EP Review". Entertainment Focus. Piñata Media Limited. Archived from the original on January 29, 2022. Retrieved January 29, 2022.
  24. ^ Cerros, Enrique (March 5, 2022). "Christina Aguilera Embraces her Latin Roots with 'La Fuerza'". NEIU Independent. Illinois College Press Association/Associated Collegiate Press. Archived from the original on March 6, 2022. Retrieved March 6, 2022.
  25. ^ Brocklehurst, Harrison (March 23, 2022). "The 20 greatest Christina Aguilera singles of all time, ranked from worst to best". The Tab. Tab Media Ltd. Archived from the original on March 25, 2022. Retrieved March 25, 2022.
  26. ^ Bustios, Pamela (February 1, 2022). "Christina Aguilera Returns to Billboard Latin Albums Charts After Two Decades With 'La Fuerza'". Billboard. Archived from the original on February 6, 2022. Retrieved February 6, 2022.
  27. ^ Andrade, Sara (March 11, 2022). "Christina Aguilera: The X Factor". Vogue Portugal. Condé Nast/Lighthouse Publishing. Archived from the original on March 16, 2022. Retrieved June 10, 2022.
  28. ^ a b Nowicki, Albert (May 31, 2022). "Christina Aguilera – 'La Tormenta'. Recenzja minialbumu. Burza w sercu, na którą czekaliśmy". Prime News (in Polish). Ex Aequo et Bono. Archived from the original on May 31, 2022. Retrieved June 10, 2022.
  29. ^ "Download Charts Album – Aktualisiert am: 31.01.2022" (in German). Official German Charts. Archived from the original on February 1, 2022. Retrieved February 1, 2022.
  30. ^ "SpanishCharts.com – Christina Aguilera – La Fuerza". Hung Medien. Retrieved February 7, 2022.
  31. ^ "Swisscharts.com – Christina Aguilera – La Fuerza". Hung Medien. Retrieved January 31, 2022.
  32. ^ "Official Album Downloads Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved February 1, 2022.
  33. ^ "Christina Aguilera Chart History (Latin Pop Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved February 1, 2022.
  34. ^ "Christina Aguilera Chart History (Top Album Sales)". Billboard. Retrieved February 1, 2022.
  35. ^ "Christina Aguilera Chart History (Top Latin Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved February 1, 2022.
  36. ^ "La Fuerza EP – Digital Download". Christina Aguilera official website. Archived from the original on January 21, 2022. Retrieved January 21, 2022.
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