Sunday ACL Fest 2019 Record Reviews
Rosalía
El Mal Querer (Columbia)
Reviewed by Christina Garcia, Fri., Oct. 4, 2019
Rosalía Vila Tobella's potent and arresting second album marries the Spanish artist's decade-plus of flamenco music study with contemporary forms. Pop and hip-hop, her favorite cars and motorcycles, arresting vocal runs, hypnotic Andalusian guitars, and cinematic strings with vocoders; El Mal Querer delivers the deep history of marginalized groups like the Romani to the world dance floor, though not without controversy over its presentation from a woman not Romani herself. Rosalía launched her stardom with the story of a jealous marriage from the pages of 13th century novel, Romance of Flamenca. (Sunday, 4pm, Honda stage)