Gale: «My Musical Style is Like if Bad Bunny, Dua Lipa, and Avril Lavigne Had a Baby»

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Gale’s talent has been winning over more and more people. The Puerto Rican artist has delighted us with a unique musical style that blends various genres that have inspired her since the beginning of her career. Her talent has not only captivated anonymous fans worldwide but also other artists of the caliber of Shakira and Christina Aguilera, for whom she has worked on the composition of some of their songs.

But now Gale is fulfilling another of her big dreams, which is to present her own musical project. She has released her first studio album, «What I Didn’t Tell You,» through which she tells her own stories. Stories that, as mentioned earlier, are told with different rhythms. In fact, her song «D Pic» departs from the urban sound to bring us closer to hypnotic pop-rock.

The good news is that Gale will come to the United States soon, since she’ll be opening Kany Garcia’s show in Chicago this September. The Puerto Rican will also assist to the highly anticipated Billboard Music Latin Week in Miami next October. And at LOS40 Urban, we had the opportunity to chat with this young artist who has demonstrated plenty of enthusiasm and strength to conquer the charts and keep growing!

Question (Q): Gale, first of all, thank you for talking to us, and welcome to Spain. I don’t know if you’ve been here before or if it’s your first time…

Answer (A): Well, I love Spain with all my heart. I always say that after Puerto Rico, it’s my place. Really, I feel super comfortable here, like my soul belongs here. I feel more myself here than in other places. I did a university exchange and spent six months of my life in Salamanca, and they were the best. I had a great time, wrote many songs, and then I moved to Miami to chase my dream.

Q: When you came here for the first time, what surprised you the most?

A: Life is enjoyed a lot here. People have a good balance between work and living, going out, meeting up, having a social life… That’s a part of it, and it’s very normal. I really liked that, and the food, wow, it’s delicious. One thing that surprised me a bit was the siesta time because, of course, I’m used to having lunch around three or four since I have breakfast at noon, and every time I went out, everything was closed…

 

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Q: Have you taken the opportunity of your visit to meet with any Spanish artists and consider working together?

A: Well, on this specific trip, I’m on a whirlwind tour, opening for Juanes. I’m very excited about that, but I also have two solo shows. I’m incredibly excited to present my first album, which I recently released three months ago. But as for Spanish artists, yes, I’ve worked with Vanesa Martín, who I think is spectacular. With Pablo Alborán, with Pol Granch... There’s so much talent here.

Q: What can we expect from your upcoming shows?

A: They are very exciting shows, simple, vulnerable, and empowering. A bit like the album but in a more compact version. Dancing, singing, feeling everything…

Q: You mentioned that you’re opening for Juanes. How do you remember when you received the news?

A: Oh, wow. I got very excited, and it was a blessing because I’ve always dreamed of going on tour. I still dream of going on tour solo, but it’s amazing to see all the work that goes into collaborating and getting to know all the people who make it possible. It’s not just about going and singing; it’s everything behind the scenes. I have a lot of admiration for the whole team and gratitude. This happens to me a lot, like everything goes by so quickly, and I always like to try to ground myself and live in the present. It usually happens to me a lot on stage because festival sets are 20 minutes, and with Juanes, it’s 40 minutes or a little more. But with all the adrenaline, everything happens so quickly that there’s always a moment in the middle of the set when I’m like, «Wow, are you living this?»

Q: Let’s talk about your project. How would you describe Gale’s music and your concept as an artist?

A: Musically, if I had to… not compare myself, but for people to better understand, it would be like if Bad Bunny, Dua Lipa, and Avril Lavigne had a baby. That’s the musical concept. I’m from Puerto Rico, and I really like to create verses with melodic rap. That’s the part that’s kind of like Bad Bunny. The pop element is present throughout the album; the sound of each song is very pop-dance. I love it. And the Avril Lavigne element… I love punk, and the guitar gives it that punch. That guitar element is present in almost all the songs. That’s the concept.

But when it comes to lyrics, I’m someone who loves to write very honestly, as raw as I can be. That point and moment always scare me a bit, but I always do it. I feel like it helps me overcome those fears I’m feeling, and it helps me grow as an artist. These lyrics come from my heart. This album, in particular, called «What I Didn’t Tell You,» comes from a breakup I went through when I ended things with someone I knew wasn’t right for me from the beginning. When I started to feel like I was losing myself in the relationship or that I was changing to make this person happy. But it’s also tough to go through that kind of breakup, right? Where they don’t have to break up with you, but you have to break up with yourself. But I learned a lot about myself, and that’s when I decided to put myself first, to love myself more, and that’s where all these songs come from, like a rollercoaster of emotions after that breakup.

Q: What is your work method like? Because you are a singer, songwriter, and producer…

A: Oh, I’m quite a conceptual artist. I like to know what I’m going to work on, what I want to focus on, and direct my ideas towards that. I’m very connected with my thoughts and emotions. I spend my days writing, and I like it. I think that comes from when I was little. I started a diary when I was six years old, imagine that. I’ve always been very aware of what I feel and think. When I’m writing with other artists, I feel like it’s a bit like acting. For me, it’s like I’m helping them say what they want to say or I start talking to them, trying to put myself in their shoes. It feels like writing to an alter ego. When I’m writing for myself, it’s very different, it’s like opening a door to vulnerability. There’s always that element of fear, should I say this or not? Usually, I end up saying it. I always like to start with melodies and chords and then connect with an emotion and say, «This song is about this, I want to write about this,» and then start with the lyrics.

Q: What are your projects in the United States?

A: 100%. In fact, the first thing that comes to mind is that I’ll be opening for Kany García’s show in Chicago, which is right around the corner. I find that spectacular because she studied at the same music school I attended. I’ll also be at the Billboard Music Latin Week, which is more like a panel, something I really enjoy, to talk a bit about music, my career, collaborations… I love that too. But yes, my dream is to continue doing shows, and I’m open to keep singing live with energy and excitement.

Q: In fact, among the artists you’ve worked with is Christina Aguilera. What was that like?

A: It was incredible. An amazing moment to meet her. I also made her song «Santo,» which is with Ozuna, and I did that over Zoom with the producers, and she loved it. She caught that song, which has many elements of Puerto Rico. Then I went into the room with her, and we wrote another one. Her voice is impressive, and I really enjoyed that experience.

Q: Let’s talk about your album. Personally and professionally, what does it mean to you to release this first project? I imagine it must mark a before and after.

A: Yes, it’s a dream come true. I swear, that may sound cliché, but I don’t care because it’s the truth. This album is my dream, and it’s an album I poured my heart and soul into… Every element, every sound, every breath, every word, every verse… It’s me. So, it’s an album I’m incredibly proud of, and I would love for people to listen to it. They don’t even have to listen to it in order. That’s the order that made sense to me at the time. That’s how that relationship felt to me. But you can listen to it like a playlist, no matter the order. I’m very happy to release this baby into the world after so much work and so many years. These are stories that are somewhat interconnected. For example, I have a song called «Deep,» which is about consent and unsolicited photos. It wasn’t written. I mean, I had never heard a song about that, and I was fed up with it and the conversations with my friends, like, «Oh my God, why does this keep happening?» So I went into the studio very upset and we wrote that song. But then all the other songs are about those key points in the relationship that marked me.

Q: As a professional in the industry, what do you think is more difficult? Staying successful or reaching success?

A: I think the most complicated part is taking the leap, and I feel like success comes when you decide to take that leap beyond worrying if it will work or not. I believe that starting is the most challenging part, and what comes afterward, those are life’s challenges that you have to face, and then you have to plan. You have to know how much you really want it. In my case, I want it a lot, and it’s the only thing I’ve ever wanted, and I’ve been preparing, working, and studying for it my whole life.

Q: Since you have various facets as an artist, in the future, which one would you like to focus on?

A: I’ve always been clear that what I want is to have my own project as an artist. When I moved to Miami alone, I had the option to start writing for other artists, and I did it, but the goal has always been this, and obviously, I’ll incorporate these other elements that are also a part of me, maintaining a balance. But my goal and my dream are to communicate and express with my songs what I feel and how I feel.

Q: What comes after the album?

A: Well, let me tell you, «What I Didn’t Tell You» is such a personal album, and strategically, we decided to release it without any features, just me, which I think is great and makes a statement for my first album. But now, I’m exploring and open to collaborations, and that excites me a lot. I’m also ready to go into the studio to compose new songs, to feel, to see what comes out.

Q: Can you give us a hint about what you mentioned is coming up? Any word?

A: One word, I was going to say Spain. And the other word, movies.