Maps of Music

Aguilera (2022)

Where the lyrics of Aguilera take you, and where it was really made.

The album is named after the singer's father's surname, and it was released in three separate parts before the full set appeared on a single release.

Key places

Criteria Studios sessions in Miami (2022)

Recording site Criteria Studios — Sessions for the album were held at Criteria Studios in Miami starting in February 2021. The sessions continued into April 2021. Google Maps · Apple Maps

How to get there: See the map for directions.

Art House sessions in Miami (2022)

Recording site Art House — Sessions for the album were also held at Art House, a recording studio in Miami, starting in February 2021. The sessions continued into April 2021. Google Maps · Apple Maps

How to get there: See the map for directions.

Album story

Overview

• Second Spanish-language album and ninth overall studio album by Christina Aguilera
• Released May 31, 2022 through Sony Music Latin
• Follow-up to Mi Reflejo (2000), her first Spanish-language album, and to Liberation (2018)
• Titled after her Spanish surname; made to pay tribute to Latin American heritage and to connect herself and her children to it
• Trilogy album: three separately released parts, La Fuerza, La Tormenta and La Luz
• Each part deals with one theme: empowerment, vulnerability and healing
• Pays tribute to cumbia, tango, tropical music, guaracha and reggaeton
• Collaborators include Becky G, Nicki Nicole, Nathy Peluso, Ozuna, Tini and Christian Nodal

Background

• Mi Reflejo was released September 12, 2000 as her second studio album
• Earlier Spanish-language work includes a 2013 duet with Alejandro Fernandez
• Trip to Ecuador in September 2015 as a World Food Programme ambassador; she is half-Ecuadorian
• The trip inspired her to begin gathering ideas for a Spanish-language album
• In January 2019 she said getting back to her roots had been on her to-do list forever

Recording

• Sessions began in 2021, after her Las Vegas residency was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic
• In early 2021 she moved to Miami, Florida to work in a writing camp held by Sony Music Latin
• Sessions ran at Criteria and Art House recording studios from February to April 2021
• Producers: Federico Vindver, Rafa Arcaute and DallasK
• The first part, La Fuerza, was completed four weeks into production, which led to the plan for a multi-part album

Cover

• Title and original artwork revealed on May 31, 2022
• Black and white image of her in a white dress behind a balcony archway, face hidden in shadow
• On June 29, 2022 the artwork changed to a front view of her as a statue in a similar setting

Sources: en.wikipedia.org

Tracklist

Disc 1

Disc 2

Sources: musicbrainz.org

Artist

Career

• Born December 18, 1980, in Ocean Breeze, New York; American singer, songwriter, and actress.
• Appeared on The All New Mickey Mouse Club (1993–1994); recorded "Reflection" for Mulan (1998) and signed with RCA Records.
• Debut album Christina Aguilera (1999) topped the US Billboard 200 and produced three Hot 100 number-one singles.
• Stripped (2002) and Back to Basics (2006) reinvented her image; Back to Basics was her second US number-one album.
• Known for a four-octave range, melismatic style, and use of the whistle register; ranked among the greatest singers of all time by Rolling Stone.
• Sold over 100 million records worldwide; five Grammy Awards.
• Acted in Burlesque (2010), The Emoji Movie (2017), and Zoe (2018).
• Coached The Voice (2011–2016); named a Disney Legend in 2019.

Sources: en.wikipedia.org

Reception

At release

• Neil Z. Yeung of AllMusic gave the album four out of five stars and called it a refreshing burst of artistry
• Critics gave the album favorable reviews on release
• Pollstar called it a triumphant comeback to the Latin market
• Latina writer Lucas Villa praised her effort in paying homage to her Latina roots, especially the vocals on Cuando Me Dé la Gana
• BroadwayWorld writer Michael Major said she honored her Latin roots in the best possible way
• Remezcla's Jeanette Hernandez called it an A-list effort

Reappraisal

• Billboard's Sigal Ratner-Arias called it an instant classic in year-end coverage
• Uproxx's Lucas Villa named it among the ten best Latin albums of 2022
• Houston Chronicle's Nina Hernandez ranked it fifth among the ten best albums of 2022 and called it perhaps her most authentic work
• Time's Moises Mendez II named La Reina a clear standout and one of the best Latin songs of the year
• Grammy website writer Bianca Gracie said her vocals sounded more confident than ever

Records

• Peaked at number 16 on the Billboard US Latin Pop Albums chart
• Peaked at number 70 on the German Digital Albums chart
• Nominated for Album of the Year at the 23rd Latin Grammy Awards and won Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album
• Pa Mis Muchachas received nominations for Record and Song of the Year at the 23rd Latin Grammy Awards
• Two nominations at the 65th Grammy Awards, for Best Latin Pop Album and Best Immersive Audio Album
• Aguilera and her songs received a combined eight Latin Grammy nominations

Sources: en.wikipedia.org

Trivia

• The first song written in the first session became the lead single, Pa Mis Muchachas.
• The idea of a multi-part album came after the first part, La Fuerza, was finished four weeks into production.
• The CD release was originally set for December 2, 2022, then pushed to June 2, 2023.
• La Tormenta was postponed after the mass shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas, and came out May 30.

Sources: en.wikipedia.org

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