Podcast Summary

Podcast: Hoy por Hoy
Episode: Historias musicales | Los eternos Love of Lesbian, el talentazo de Lola Young y lo nuevo de Taylor Swift
Date: October 3, 2025
Host: Àngels Barceló (with guests: Fernando Neira, Ángel Carmona, Iñaki Pascualena, Love of Lesbian, and others)

Overview

This episode of "Hoy por Hoy" dives into recent musical releases and stories, spotlighting the up-and-coming British sensation Lola Young, reviewing the longevity and creative journey of the Spanish band Love of Lesbian, and providing a first impression of Taylor Swift's latest album. The hosts and guests weave together sharp commentary, personal anecdotes, and light-hearted banter, making for an engaging, critique-rich episode perfect for music lovers craving both substance and wit.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Lola Young: La Nueva Sensación del Pop Británico (00:38–05:18)

• Introduction:
  Fernando Neira introduces Lola Young, a 24-year-old singer-songwriter from London whose raw, confessional lyrics and turbulent personality are winning over the pop scene.
  • "Es puro dolor, furia, fantasmas internos." – Fernando Neira (01:17)
• Recent News:
  Lola Young recently made headlines after a fainting incident during a New York concert, highlighting her openness about mental health struggles.
  • "He tomado la decisión de actuar porque no quería quedarme sola atrapada en mi propia tristeza." – Recap by Neira of Lola’s statement (02:26)
• Breakthrough Hit:
  The 2024 viral song "Messi," which topped global charts and became a TikTok phenomenon, catapulted Lola’s fame.
  • "Esto es la demostración palmaria de que entre las 100 canciones más escuchadas de todo el mundo puede haber temazos." – Neira (02:54)
• Artistry and Lyrics:
  Her track "I'm only fucking myself" is highlighted for its explicit honesty, and “One Thing” is humorously labeled “la canción más cochina” by journalist Marta Peirano (03:44).
• Background:
  Lola is a great-niece of famed children’s author Julia Donaldson and studied at the same school as Amy Winehouse and Adele. Diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder at 17, she champions mental health awareness (04:47).
• Quote:
  "Hace mucho hincapié en la importancia de la salud mental." – Neira (04:47)

2. Love of Lesbian: De la Irreverencia a la Madurez (06:31–26:49)

Trayectoria y Evolución (06:31–11:51)

• First Steps:
  The band’s English-language origins and quirky beginnings (opened for The Cure because of their song title “Freaky Goes to Hollywood”).
  • "Hasta que en 2005 todo cambió porque descubrieron que en sus filas tenían... uno de los mejores letristas que hemos conocido en castellano." – Neira (06:31)
• Signature Style:
  Humor, wordplay, and absurdity mark their early output, with eccentric song titles and playful performances (07:20).
• Breakthrough:
  The shift to Spanish lyrics with Maniobras de escapismo led to mainstream and critical success.

El último álbum: ‘Ejército de Salvación’ (08:08–13:27)

• Themes:
  The tenth album is defined by warmth and empathy:
  • "Trabajo marcado por la empatía, la complicidad y sobre todo, sobre todo, el calor de los abrazos." – Neira (08:08)
• Artistic Process:
  Santi Balmes describes the post-release emotional cycle and how public reception often subverts the group’s own expectations.
  • "Cuando haces una canción piensas que es la mejor que has hecho en tu puñetera vida... luego va bajando la soufflé..." – Santi Balmes (10:28)
  • "El público tiene sus opiniones y de pronto la canción que tú creías que iba a pasar desapercibida se pone en primera línea." – Jordi Roch (11:13)

Madurez, Gratitud y Sentido del Humor (13:27–16:21)

• Pressure and Expectation:
  For their tenth release, the main pressure is not repeating themselves or letting down their own artistic standards (12:40).
  • "No decepcionarnos a nosotros mismos. Eso está clarísimo." – Santi Balmes (12:40)
• Gratitude:
  The band sees this phase as a time for reflection and thanks, rather than existential crisis.
  • "Es un disco de agradecimiento, de mirar en perspectiva todo lo que ha pasado." – Balmes (13:41)
• Playfulness:
  Their playfully irreverent stage costumes are discussed as a means of liberation but also as something to balance against their more serious, introspective side (14:25–16:03).
  • "Cuando te ayudan a romper prejuicios y todo eso, eres un poquito más libre." – Jordi Roch (14:47)

Empatía y Relaciones (16:21–23:45)

• Empathy Song:
  “Hermandad” (Brotherhood) becomes an anthem for human connection, with questions about whether its message is for the band or a wider social call (16:21).
  • "Es una búsqueda más pensada a nivel interno entre vosotros o es una llamada de atención hacia la falta de empatía... en el mundo actual?" – Neira (16:21)
• Friendships in Music:
  The band discusses making friends in the music industry and how music brings people together through shared experiences (18:04–18:58).
• Handling Criticism:
  They address passionate detractors and the value of not provoking indifference.
  • "Es buena señal eso de no provocarle indiferencia a nadie." – Neira (19:17)
  • "Mucho periodista que tú sabes que tiene más vanidad que incluso un artista, pero mucha más." – Santi Balmes (19:50)

Creativity, Inspiration, and Group Dynamics (20:52–23:45)

• Songwriting Inspiration:
  Balmes describes his creative process as semi-dreamlike, with life experiences (like seeing cruise tourists in Barcelona) directly inspiring his lyrics (21:10).
• Band Communication:
  After 25 years, the group praises the value of silence and the varied communication styles within their ranks.
  • "Creo que se ha sobrevalorado un poquito la comunicación (en los grupos)." – Santi Balmes (23:31)

Acoustic Performance: "Hermandad" (24:35–26:49)

• An exclusive acoustic version of “Hermandad” is performed live, underlining the episode’s recurring theme of connection and gratitude.
  • "Un rayo cabrón de honestidad me lleva a la verdad. Que os quiero a mi lado muchos años. Viva la Hermandad." – Julián Saladriga (24:58)

3. Taylor Swift: Una Nueva Entrega, Opiniones Tibias (27:47–34:03)

• Album Drop:
  The new Taylor Swift album is discussed hours after its release, generating immediate yet lukewarm feedback from all present.
  • "Nos deja un poco fríos porque no hay demasiada novedad de lo que venía haciendo..." – Iñaki Pascualena (28:11)
  • "Es un disco agradable, llevadero, pero tan absolutamente convencional y plano que te conduce a la indiferencia..." – Neira (28:37)
• Fan Culture:
  The hosts talk about the challenges of expressing critical opinions given Taylor Swift's massive, devoted fanbase.
  • "No entiendo por qué no puedes decir 'no me gusta ese disco'." – Jordi Roch (29:20)
• Honest Critique:
  The group emphasizes that not every project from a prolific artist can be groundbreaking and references historical examples.
  • "Credence, cleo revival hicieron seis discos en tres años. Los Beatles hicieron 13 en 8..." – Neira (30:42)
• Diversity of Taste:
  There’s agreement on the importance of varied musical opinions and the folly of snap judgments right after an album drops.
  • "Creo que es saludable que existan diferentes opiniones." – Jordi Roch (32:00)
  • "Debería estar prohibido por la Constitución opinar las primeras 48 horas." – Santi Balmes (32:15)
• Production Realities:
  Discussion of the relentless pace driving new releases, especially for megastars on international tours (32:59).
• Song Feature:
  Briefly play “Wood,” noting strong influences reminiscent of the Jackson Five.
  • "Esta canción está muy bien, pero que los abogados tienen trabajo." – Fernando Neira (33:49)

4. Canción de Cierre Friki: Dengue Fever (34:35–35:58)

• Fernando Neira picks a quirky closer: Dengue Fever, an LA band blending West Coast psych-rock with Cambodian pop, fronted by singer Chhom Nimol.
  • "Aquí se juntan hambre y ganas de comer, psicodelia de la costa oeste con las melodías orientales de Camboya." – Neira (35:09)
• Laughter ensues over preferences for the beach, closing the episode on a light note.

Memorable Quotes & Moments

• Lola Young’s emotional authenticity:
  "I’m only fucking myself." – Cited frequently as emblematic of her style (various moments)
• On empathy and connection:
  "Quiero ser tu ejército de salvación." – Julián Saladriga (song lyric, 08:36) "Viva la Hermandad." – Julián Saladriga (24:58)
• On musical criticism and honesty:
  "No puedes gustar a todo el mundo [...] hay gente que te puede odiar porque le recuerda su ex." – Santi Balmes (31:33) "Debería estar prohibido por la Constitución opinar las primeras 48 horas." – Santi Balmes (32:15)

Timeline of Important Segments

• 00:38–05:18: Lola Young: Profile, music, and health struggles
• 06:31–13:27: Love of Lesbian: Band history, evolution, and creative process
• 13:27–16:21: Band maturity, humor, and gratitude
• 16:21–23:45: Empathy, friendship, criticism, and group dynamics
• 24:35–26:49: Acoustic performance of “Hermandad”
• 27:47–34:03: Taylor Swift album review, critical debate, fan culture
• 34:35–35:58: Friki song recommendation: Dengue Fever

Tone & Final Notes

The episode balances deep musical analysis with candid, witty conversation. It is both a celebration and a critique, honoring musical maturity, creative honesty, and the necessity of both empathy and dissent—whether among friends, within a band, or as part of a global fanbase. The collective respect for music, communication, and growth shines throughout, with laughter and music tying the entire session together.