Buscabulla: ‘Se Amaba Asi’ & Relationship Pain – Interview
- Buscabulla, the Puerto Rican duo of Luis Alfredo del Valle and Raquel Berrios, are releasing a new album, "He loved himself," that delves into thier relationship as artistic...
- "Return" garnered critical acclaim, but the pandemic hampered their ability too tour and promote it.Berrios said they felt stalled and questioned their future.
- In April 2021, an unexpected call from Bad Bunny changed their trajectory.
Buscabulla’s new album, “He loved himself,” is a raw exploration of relationship pain and enduring love, offering listeners a candid glimpse into the duo’s journey. Uncover how Luis Alfredo del Valle and Raquel Berrios navigated the highs and lows of their partnership,both as artists and romantic partners,after their 2020 breakthrough. Learn the story behind their struggles to stay together amid the pressures of the music industry and the impact of the digital age on romance. This interview, featured on News Directory 3, dives deep into the Puerto Rican duo’s evolution, examining the cultural conditioning of love and the vulnerability of putting their relationship on the line. Explore the sonic tapestry that defies genres and discover their hopes of sparking conversations about love and connection. Discover what’s next …
Buscabulla’s New Album: Love, Partnership, and Puerto Rico
Buscabulla, the Puerto Rican duo of Luis Alfredo del Valle and Raquel Berrios, are releasing a new album, “He loved himself,” that delves into thier relationship as artistic and romantic partners. The album follows a period of highs and lows after their 2020 breakthrough LP, “Return,” which explored life in Puerto Rico after their move from New york in 2017.
“Return” garnered critical acclaim, but the pandemic hampered their ability too tour and promote it.Berrios said they felt stalled and questioned their future. Del Valle added that releasing the record during such an unusual time was disheartening.
In April 2021, an unexpected call from Bad Bunny changed their trajectory. Bad Bunny,who had listened to “Return” during isolation,invited them to collaborate on “Andrea” from his album “A summer without you.” Berrios’ vocals contributed to the song’s dreamy quality, resonating with listeners amid discussions of femicides and violence against women in Puerto Rico. “Andrea” became a hit, boosting buscabulla’s visibility.
The duo toured extensively, but the intense cycles of the music industry strained their partnership. Berrios said the craziness of their career took a toll on their relationship. This led them to explore these challenges in “He loved himself,” a personal reflection on their romance as artists, partners, and parents.
Del Valle said the album is about their struggles to stay together, acknowledging the vulnerability of putting themselves on the line. Berrios wanted to examine how love has changed in the digital age. She believes the overabundance of information has diminished the mystery and excitement of romance. The album explores their history,their parents,and the cultural conditioning of romance in Puerto Rico and Latin America,creating a sonic tapestry that defies specific genres.
Songs like “Mi marido” and “Se Amaba Así” evoke the drama of past Latin music balladeers, while tracks like “Te Fuiste” and “El Camino” offer a modern sound.The band considered dividing the LP into two sides, one for each partner’s perspective, but ultimately created a more seamless conversation.
In “El Empuje,” Del Valle takes the lead, singing about the push-and-pull in their relationship. He admits it was tough to be so exposed, but credits Berrios for encouraging the honesty. Berrios said she was moved by the song’s raw emotion.
Buscabulla hopes “he loved himself” will spark conversations about love and connection. Berrios said she hopes their experience can definitely help others reflect on how they love. The focus of this record is realy kind of healing.