Natalia Lafourcade, the Grammy-winning Mexican singer, has once again captivated audiences with her new live album. "Live at Carnegie Hall," released on Thursday, takes us on a journey through her artistic process and captures a singular moment that she believes bridges to her next creative phase.

Experience Natalia Lafourcade's Musical Magic at Carnegie Hall

Intimate Glimpse into the Artist's Process

This new live album offers a rare and intimate look into Natalia Lafourcade's creative world. It was recorded during her shimmering performance at Carnegie Hall in October 2022, a legendary music venue. Two years ago, she debuted her most recent studio album "De Todas Las Flores" here, featuring cameos from stars like David Byrne, Omara Portuondo, and Jorge Drexler. The raw and deeply personal nature of her work shines through, as she pours her heart and soul into each song. Whether it's the hit "Hasta La Raiz" about her Mexican roots or other tracks, Lafourcade's connection with her music is palpable.In a recent interview with AFP, she explained that singing live onstage is about giving a song to the audience. It becomes a shared moment where the song no longer belongs solely to her. "I just feel like I was there to give the chance to this song to exist itself," she said. This sense of giving and connection is what makes her music so special.

Genre-Defying Work and Collaborations

Lafourcade is one of Latin America's most decorated contemporary stars, with 18 Latin Grammys to her name, more than any other female artist. She grew up in Veracruz and started her career over two decades ago in Mexico's alternative music scene. Over time, she has leaned more towards traditional Mexican folk songs and standards while also infusing elements of pop, rock, jazz, and Mexican regional folk like son jarocho. In recent years, she has collaborated with the Los Angeles Philharmonic and Venezuelan conductor Gustavo Dudamel, playing shows at the Hollywood Bowl and Carnegie Hall. Performing with Dudamel at Carnegie Hall this fall was a truly magical experience for her. "There's not so much rehearsal for the shows with Gustavo," she said. "The emphasis is on seeing how we react to the energy, the people, the place, and the orchestra. Then, we can build something that is unique. It's a whole collaboration between universes."

Music as a Universal Language

For Lafourcade, music is a powerful force that connects people. "Hasta La Raiz" serves as a reminder of home and her roots. She believes that music has the ability to remind us of important things and bring us together. "I think that's important for many people for different reasons," she said. And while she doesn't think about how her music will take on a life of its own during the writing process, she knows that it has that power. "Sometimes I just feel like music is just like, 'get out of the way, let me in!'" she exclaimed. It's this willingness to let the music take over that makes her performances so special.Lafourcade has not revealed specific plans for her future career, but her new Carnegie live album represents a significant moment in her musical journey and a bridge to a new stage. She draws inspiration from flamenco and the sounds of her country, including son jarocho and the bolero genre. She is proud to see the explosion of Latin music on streaming platforms and believes that it is a celebration of our roots. "This is our music," she said, "and there are people from different places in the world paying attention."