Photo Credit Ron Dadon
Art Credit: Jeff Laliberte
There’s a certain kind of magic in watching an artist step into the fire and not just survive, but ignite and light the whole place up. On “The Driver Era’s Obsession Tour”, VALÉ doesn’t just open the show; she arrives like thunder. Her voice, sharp as a flicker of love on a dancefloor that you swore you forgot and smooth as vinyl spinning under city lights, rides over the roar of arenas like she’s been doing it for decades. But this isn’t just about the size of the stage. This is about freedom. She’s not just performing, she’s claiming space.
VALÉ was born in Barranquilla, Colombia, a city where the slang is rhythmic and the resistance of the spirit unbothered. She doesn’t just carry her roots; she electrifies them. Her sound? Latin alternative pop charged with rebellion and reinvention. “I mostly utilize the slang of where I grew up,” she says. “Down to the accent, I use the way we speak there in a big way when it comes to my songwriting.” Words like bololo and arrebatao don’t get translated, they’re left unchecked, rooted in cultural defiance; raw, and thunderous with identity. Every lyric is a refusal to undermine her voice.
Her single “Vueltas” loops like a heartbreak you can’t outrun, a hypnotic, emotionally charged track built on a vocal chop that came to her while she was sick in bed in Colombia. “It talks about a relationship that goes one step forward, three steps back,” she explains. “I wanted the song to feel like a desperate reach for wanting to get out of this cycle.” In a subtle flex of genius, the song’s structure repeats itself, mimicking that emotional heart-bruised loop that spirals like the very relationship it mourns. It’s not just a song. It’s a feeling. But Vueltas is only one page in the chapter she’s currently writing, one filled with sonic experimentation and spiritual rebellion. “I think my sound has evolved into something more artistic and mature,” she tells All Music Magazine International. “I’m in my experimental era.” Think less polish, more presence. Drawing inspiration from artists like ROSALÍA, Kali Uchis, and the underground Argentine duo CA7RIEL & Paco Amoroso, her style reveals a clear attraction for the strange, the subversive, and the sonically uncaged. VALÉ’s not in the driver’s seat in pursuit of perfection. She’s in the passenger seat in pursuit of authenticity.
You can feel that pursuit in her live performances. “There is no guidebook on how to do this,” she admits, speaking about playing to crowds twice the size of what she’s used to. “It took me a while to acclimate.” But somewhere along the way, she stopped shrinking herself. The crowd didn’t just look back, it leaned in, held its breath, as if to make room, and her presence began to expand into something unstoppable. That confidence? It was hard-earned. There’s power in watching a woman come undone from the control of others. Last year, she found herself micromanaged by people who underestimated her voice, and it’s not the voice she sings with, but the voice that tells you when to say no, when to walk away. “It felt very damaging,” she says. “But it gave me the strength to try new things.”
A quiet force moves beneath every beat of her latest work. It’s not loud or brash, it’s deliberate. There’s power in restraint, rooted in play, in knowing exactly who you are even when the sound shifts. “I hope people know I’m actually very silly and unserious,” she laughs. Check out my socials to see the real me.” The music might burn slow, but the person behind it? She’s vibrant, bilingual, and unfiltered. Still, don’t get it twisted. The industry is starting to take notice. Rolling Stone. PEOPLE. A tour that’s brought her face to face with thousands of strangers who somehow already know the words. “It’s surreal,” she says. “But I feel insanely grateful. I only hope the blessings keep getting better through all my hard work.”
So what’s next? A solo tour. A stream of new singles. A new song titled “Lightspeed,” is already out, making its rounds in the world. The future is stacked and swelling, but she’s not rushing. She’s shaping this moment like clay, carving out what feels honest. She’s not trying to meet anyone’s expectations, not anymore. She’s shucking (off) old ideas of who she’s supposed to be, because this isn’t just about building a career. It’s about taking back the narrative. And VALÉ? She’s not waiting to be discovered. She’s already in motion.
Photo Credit Ron Dadon
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Anthony Mclaude, the enigmatic figure known as Rock & Roll’s Best Kept Secret, delves into the world of music journalism with a raw and unapologetic pen. From established icons to up-and-coming talents, Mclaude fearlessly reviews and reveals the diverse sounds that shape our musical landscape.
Raised in a Christian household by a single mother and grandmother in the 1990s, Mclaude’s journey into the world of rock ‘n’ roll began at a young age. The soulful melodies of The Rolling Stones and The Beatles, mixed with the pop sensibilities of Madonna and Alanis Morissette, created a soundtrack that would influence his future path.
A pivotal moment came in 7th grade when Mclaude’s storytelling prowess caught the attention of his teacher, Mrs. DeFeo. Her words of encouragement ignited a fire within him, propelling him towards a future in writing. Fast forward fifteen years, and Mclaude found himself studying journalism at Cumberland County College, honing his skills as a reporter for The Voice.
His dedication and passion for community journalism led him to a position at The People’s Press of Millville, where he made his mark with insightful articles and press releases. Collaborations with publications like Eclectic Shades, Rock At Night, and New Noise Magazine further solidified Mclaude’s reputation as a rising star in the world of music journalism.
With each byline, Mclaude continues to push the boundaries of his craft, capturing the essence of artists and their music with a unique perspective that sets him apart in the industry. As Rock & Roll’s Best Kept Secret, his journey is just beginning, with a future as bright and promising as the music he so passionately writes about.
