Podcast Episode Summary

Podcast: All Of It with Alison Stewart
Host: Alison Stewart, WNYC
Episode: Natalia Lafourcade's New Album 'Cancionera'
Air Date: April 8, 2026

Episode Overview

This episode of "All Of It" is dedicated to a deep and soulful conversation between Alison Stewart and renowned Latin American musician Natalia Lafourcade. Natalia discusses her Grammy-winning 12th album, Cancionera, ahead of her upcoming concerts at the Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM). Through candid storytelling and musical insights, Natalia reflects on major life transitions, creative authenticity, and her roots in Veracruz, Mexico, all while navigating motherhood and the modern music industry.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Inspiration Behind Cancionera and Turning 40

• Moment of Reflection: The title track Cancionera was written just before Natalia’s 40th birthday, spurred by deep self-reflection and thoughts about the next phase of her life (03:16–04:21).
  • Quote:

    “It's a moment. You get to a lot of reflections, and that's natural, right? … The song came out. This lyric that is mostly about the animal... taking care of the soul and the inner spirit... to keep being true to my real desire in life.”
    — Natalia Lafourcade [03:26]

• Transition: Facing questions about the future, especially on her birthday, led to evaluating relationships, her living space, and even embracing unexpected changes like becoming a mother (04:24–06:39).

2. Artistic Authenticity & Connection to Music

• Stripping Away Masks: Natalia discusses finding her “truth without adornment, without masks,” describing how her relationship to music has evolved into something deeper (06:39–08:52).
  • Quote:

    “I have found that in order to really connect, which is one of the things that I love the most... that is really, really important... to go deeper and beyond, you know, just singing.”
    — Natalia Lafourcade [06:58]

  • Metaphor: She likens the creative process to tending an “inner garden,” emphasizing self-care and authenticity.
• Industry Pressures: The modern music industry’s demands can pull artists away from their true creative core, leading Natalia to be vigilant about preserving her inner world (08:52–11:02).
  • Quote:

    “Sometimes that giving is not precisely something that is ... your thing … so I just try to be very, very careful not to lose careness about what's really important for me as a singer, as a creator, as a woman. As a human being.”
    — Natalia Lafourcade [09:01]

3. Songwriting Themes: “Mascaritas de Cristal”

• Symbolism of Masks: The song “Mascaritas de Cristal” (Crystal Masks) explores the theme of speaking honestly to oneself, stripping away performative personas (11:21–14:06).
  • Quote:

    “It means that me. That part of myself saying like I am not interested at this point of your life to see anything else but your true... I just want you to be honest and very authentic Persona.”
    — Natalia Lafourcade [13:01]

• Artistic Play: Natalia uses the concept of alter egos and hidden aspects of her personality as inspiration and creative exercises.

4. Creative Process & 1950s Analog Recording

• Recording Live on Tape: The album was recorded live using 1950s analog technology at Sony Studios Mexico City, focusing on authenticity and collective energy (14:06–17:34).
  • Quote:

    “The challenge for us was to record the music live, one take, not having edition ... The level of presence that you have from everybody is very, very high level of presence. And I love that...”
    — Natalia Lafourcade [15:31]

• Live Visuals: Album visuals embrace imagination and imperfection, showing the messy, vibrant reality of recording rather than a polished, idealized version (17:34–19:52).

5. Joy, Play, and Simplicity in “Cocos en la Playa”

• Theme of Enjoyment: “Cocos en la Playa” is about relaxation, fun, and letting go of productivity pressures—capturing a vacation’s carefree spirit (19:52–20:29).
  • Quote:

    “I'm having fun and being relaxed and just not being so worried about productivity, you know.”
    — Natalia Lafourcade [20:19]

6. Motherhood and Personal Growth

• New Priorities: Motherhood brought a wave of unexpected joy and self-discovery, shifting Natalia’s priorities and adding new meaning to her artistic journey (21:46–24:08).
  • Quote:

    “I actually thought that being a mama wasn't going to be for me. And then I got the surprise at this moment... Now I have a new priority and I love that, you know, like, the baby traveling with us for the first time.”
    — Natalia Lafourcade [21:58]

Notable Quotes

• On Authenticity:

  “Music has always been something that helps me a lot to express myself. You know, I use the songs and the music as a diary, as a constant, you know, like a way of expression of the life.”
  — Natalia Lafourcade [04:24]

• On Recording Process:

  “We mix the album right immediately, like right away… all analog, analog. And that's something that I really wanted to experience.”
  — Natalia Lafourcade [15:31]

• On Connecting Worlds as an Artist and Mother:

  “To make this connection to both universals, the personal and also the universal. That that's my work and my passion. So that makes me very, very happy to know that I'm gonna be sharing those two sides with my people and my audience.”
  — Natalia Lafourcade [23:18]

Important Timestamps

• 00:00–01:08 — Ads and Opening
• 01:08–03:15 — Introduction of Natalia Lafourcade and background on Cancionera
• 03:16–06:39 — Reflections leading up to the album and turning 40
• 06:39–08:52 — Relationship to music, singing with “truth without adornment”
• 08:52–11:02 — Impact of changes in the music industry
• 11:21–14:06 — Discussion of “Mascaritas de Cristal” and the symbolism of masks
• 14:06–17:34 — Analog recording process and creative energy in the studio
• 17:34–19:52 — Visual themes and imperfections in the album’s aesthetic
• 19:52–20:29 — “Cocos en la Playa” and the value of playfulness
• 21:46–24:08 — Motherhood, balance, and integrating personal and artistic life
• 24:08–24:23 — Episode close

Memorable Moments

• Natalia’s candidness about inner dialogue: Describing songwriting as an act of self-conversation (13:01).
• Recording with “adrenalina in the air”: Capturing the tension and magic of live, one-take analog sessions (15:31).
• Her surprise at motherhood: Sharing honest vulnerability about embracing a new role later in life (21:58).
• Desire to allow mistakes and show realness: Preferring imperfect, raw visuals over polished perfection (17:41).

Conclusion

In this inspiring episode, Natalia Lafourcade invites listeners into her world of deep personal transformation and creative reinvention. Cancionera is portrayed not only as a return to roots but also as a bold act of authenticity—embracing life’s vulnerabilities, joys, and musical communion. The interview offers a rare glimpse into the heart and mind of one of Latin America’s most revered artists, making the episode resonant for both longtime fans and newcomers alike.