London-based Portuguese pop artist Ana De Llor is still quite early in her musical journey, but she’s got a clear idea of what she wants to express. Each of her singles so far has been named after a different woman, and that continues with today’s punchy new offering “Malèna”. According to Ana:
“Both the track and video are about women’s identity not belonging to society’s mold of what a woman is supposed to be in order to be accepted as one. It’s about literally not caring what the patriarchy thinks or says and about elevating all the ways we exist in the world.”
Built around the rattling and irrepressible beat of a Portuguese adufe drum, “Malèna” is bold and in-your-face from the first beat to last. Ana’s voice builds on this energy with confident, even intimidating vocal prowess and positivity. As her voice dances magisterially around the hypnotic and pulverising beat, she is brimming with assuredness, simultaneously teasing and challenging all the lingering gazes she knows are on her. “I know you want it / I know you do” she continually chides, staring disapproving men in the face and daring them to make her stop. They can’t. She’s in extravagant and undeniable control.
Watch the video for “Malèna” below, or find the song on streaming platforms.
You can find Ana De Llor on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
