Sabrina Claudio wants to evolve. She’s starting by letting people in
A year makes all the difference, and that’s certainly true for me as a movie critic. I’m no longer the same critic I was eight years ago, not even close, much like Sabrina Claudio. When she first appeared on the scene with her shimmering neo-soul EP “Confidently Lost,” she was just starting out. But now, she has grown, evolved, and transformed her sound in ways that are truly captivating.
After gaining numerous followers through her seductive, sunset-infused ballads and emotional journeys, she’s now unveiling her most sincere songwriting to date with her latest album titled “Fall In Love With Her.” This heartfelt masterpiece dropped on June 9 via Atlantic Records.
Over the last few years, those dear to me have played a significant role in helping me break out of my comfort zone and emphasize the value of openness. As a result, I’ve come to realize that it’s time for me to share all aspects of myself – wouldn’t that be something?
On her fifth album, Claudio chose to explore an alternative R&B style less commonly ventured, highlighting her skillful songwriting and otherworldly voice in a fresh manner. During the recording process, her long-time producer, Ajay “Stint” Bhattacharyya, mentioned bands like Cocteau Twins and Slowdive as sources of inspiration. For Claudio, delving into these unexplored musical territories was an essential aspect of her career evolution.
Previously, the Cuban-Puerto Rican singer-songwriter, known for winning a Grammy in 2023 for her songwriting work on Beyoncé’s “Renaissance” track “Plastic Off the Sofa,” had been content to work quietly. However, this year, she’s decided to share more of herself with the world through a new YouTube interview series called “Fall In Love With…” This series offers an intimate look into her personality.
According to her, she’s excited for the work involved in letting fans and listeners understand the person behind the music. “I want people to listen to [the album], knowing that yes, I’m singing about what I experienced, but I hope they can interpret it and connect it to their own lives in whatever way they can,” she explains.
By July, she’ll start a U.S. tour alongside rappers Russ and Big Sean; following this tour, she’ll step into acting for the first time in a short film directed by her friend and filmmaker Jazmin Garcia-Larracuente. This project was inspired by preliminary versions of songs from “Fall In Love With Her”, which led Jazmin to write the script. Claudio expresses her satisfaction, saying, “I’m really proud of myself. I think I did an excellent job, and I can’t wait for everyone to see it.
During a recent chat with The Times, she discusses the importance of collaboration in crafting songs, hints at the prospect of a fully Spanish EP, and shares insights about her narrative style in music.
This interview has been edited and condensed for length and clarity.
Following the release of your last album “Based On A Feeling” in 2022, you shifted your attention towards songwriting for other artists. Is this a pattern that tends to occur between your albums for you?
Usually, after completing an album, I find myself needing a break creatively as I’m drained. This leads me to do nothing, which unfortunately intensifies my lack of motivation to produce more music. However, on this occasion, I wanted to keep my creativity flowing and the most effective way to achieve that was by collaborating with other artists in their creative spaces, rather than always focusing solely on my own.
Initially, I found the idea challenging as I’m not accustomed to collaboration. To be honest, I used to strongly resist having other songwriters in my space. It was more about ego than anything else… but surprisingly, I ended up doing it far longer than I had planned. Nowadays, I draw a lot of inspiration from being around artists for various projects.
On this album, you collaborated on several tracks with songwriter Nasri Atweh. I’m intrigued to know if there was ever any reluctance from your part to reveal your creative process to someone else?
At one point in my life, I felt compelled to have writers in my workspace. I was guarded, protective of my ideas. It wasn’t because I didn’t appreciate the songwriters’ talents, as they were truly exceptional. In fact, some of my best songs were co-written with others, such as “Problem With You” from my album “Truth Is.” However, at times, my mind would convince me that if I didn’t contribute completely, then it wouldn’t be ‘my song.’ And that notion couldn’t be further from the truth about creating art.
My manager’s brother is Nasri, someone I met ten years ago. It feels fortunate that our paths crossed when they did. Being the lyricist among others made me appreciate collaboration more, as I discovered its significance. Nasri helped bring out aspects of myself I wasn’t aware of, and now I see things from a different perspective.
× Collaborating with a songwriter feels much like an intimate heart-to-heart conversation, or perhaps even therapy. Over the past few years, I’ve discovered the significance of vulnerability and have been encouraged by those around me to step out of my comfort zone. I’ve often shied away from exposing myself, opting instead for writing about experiences that weren’t directly mine, borrowing from conversations or movies. This was a way of keeping myself guarded. However, recently I thought, why not share everything with you all? [laughs] And it’s proven to be a liberating experience!
In your question, you ask about the song “One Word” and how it came to be, as well as its significance on the album. I’ll share more details about the songwriting process behind this powerful track:
The song was written during a heart-wrenching time in my life when I experienced a deep loss. It is about a person who meant a great deal to me, but ultimately chose not to fight for our relationship. However, I came to understand that his decision was actually the greatest act of love he could have shown me.
In terms of songwriting, “One Word” was created by allowing the music to guide the lyrical content. The melody and chords set the emotional tone, and I let the story unfold from there. This track is one of the most impactful on the album due to its raw, honest depiction of love, loss, and growth.
In my creative process for this project, I collaborated frequently with my regular partner Stint, as well as Heavy Mellow. He played a significant role, not just metaphorically speaking. I was going through a difficult time emotionally, and my heart was heavy. Seeking solace, I leaned on these men who are familiar to me, hoping to gain insights into the situation from their perspectives.
In a change from the rest of the tracks, one song is titled “Worse Than Me,” offering a unique twist. This track leans more towards assertiveness and seduction, with rhythmic drums influenced by trip-hop. So, how did this new sound emerge?
Well, before I found my new album’s unique sound, I was still drawn to the typical R&B and neo-soul vibes. I was simply trying to get back into my own zone, or as they say, the Sabrina Claudio zone, since I had just finished writing for others. I was aiming to reconnect with my personal musical world.
It seems like I was longing for a song with some attitude. [laughs] That’s me, after all – the boldness, the tears, or the sensuality. And since I couldn’t have the sensuality, I wanted at least to express the attitude.
Have you discovered new aspects of your musical abilities while exploring a less conventional sound? To be honest, it’s been a fascinating journey for me as I delve into the diverse music landscapes with Stint and my producers. Genres that weren’t part of my childhood playlist are now introducing me to fresh dimensions. This fusion brings out elements within me that would have remained unexplored had I continued strictly within traditional R&B. It’s simply a part of who I am, but it’s intriguing to witness how my R&B and soul influences adapt to these more indie/alternative rock vibes.
In another version, “Detoxing” — The song I co-wrote with Nasri lacked an ending. So, I gave it to Stint, who introduced me to various band references such as Radiohead, and he was educating me a lot. Then he suggested, “You know what? At the end, I want something really powerful and rocky. I want to dismantle it, but then I want it to be surprising. I want you to sing powerfully, express something, let go, and vent. I want you to amplify the song’s concept and just scream like you’re trying to throw off something.” Upon replaying it, I was amazed at some of the things I managed to unleash. I can’t belt! [laughs] I didn’t realize I could do that!
× As a passionate music enthusiast, I’ve always wondered why I hadn’t incorporated a Spanish track into any of my albums until now. With my regular playlist filled with reggaetón tunes and my unexpected twerking sessions in the car, I felt it was high time for a change, to evolve musically. It’s fascinating, as my mind doesn’t naturally think in Spanish when it comes to songwriting, making the process even more intriguing.
All the Spanish songs you’ve listened to were produced with Alejandra Alberti, who is Cuban and resides in Miami. We share many common traits since she’s a Virgo, which made our collaboration effortless. I convey my ideas to her, and she magically transforms them into flawless translations that have taught me a lot. “Mi Luz” was the first time I contributed lyrically in Spanish, which was initially daunting for me due to my fear of sounding unintelligent. However, I felt completely at ease and secure with Alejandra, which allowed me to express myself confidently.
I believe I could do it! If I get the chance, I think me and Ale can whip up an EP in no time. I’m game for it!
In your latest Genius video, you mentioned desiring reciprocal love as there’s a limit to self-love. Does the state of your personal life impact your work, or do you find ways to filter out external factors?
Your response suggests that when you are deeply engaged in something, it can consume you entirely. When interacting with someone or dating, you often prioritize the relationship over your career as you tend to center your world around what you’re developing together. Since you yearn for love intensely, which can be unhealthy for you, you make an effort to nurture these relationships.
I feel quite assured about my professional path as it’s an area where I maintain control. Life is wonderful, especially since I can create music on my terms. However, the relationship I’m nurturing isn’t entirely within my grasp, which tends to consume me greatly. But I aspire to discover a more balanced situation that doesn’t negatively impact our mental wellbeing, allowing me to juggle both successfully. I just need to find that person first.
× Although I initially wasn’t keen on the idea of a miniseries, my manager Alyce suggested it during the early stages of making this album. She explained that since the music is so personal, people might not connect with it or fully appreciate its depth unless they know more about me as a person. She pointed out that while I may think of myself as mysterious, in reality, I’m funny and outgoing. So, she encouraged me to share these aspects of my personality through this miniseries titled “Fall In Love With…” to help people connect with me better.
Initially, the thought of engaging in online content left me feeling somewhat uneasy, chuckling to myself as I muttered “oh no, not this for me.” However, I soon realized that if I were to participate, I preferred a more intimate approach. So, I proposed, “If you all are insistent on this, let’s make it four episodes instead of twenty, and let’s do it with people I cherish and feel at ease around.
I transformed it into “Falling for…” and I found it unique. I enjoy acknowledging those who have shown me affection at every step of my journey. Incidentally, my followers get a glimpse of my personality and the depth of my love, loyalty. This revelation paved the way for so many more experiences. I simply became more open-hearted.
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2025-06-18 23:31