Gale knows it might sound like a tired trope, or even a little far-fetched, but she really feels like music wasn’t a choice she made – it chose her.
From a young age, Carolina Isabel Colón Juarbe, a singer-songwriter from Arecibo, Puerto Rico, has worked tirelessly to achieve her dream of becoming a pop star. She began by singing traditional boleros for her family and later received formal training as a classical singer. She first gained recognition in the music industry by co-writing hits for well-known artists like Shakira, Christina Aguilera, and Anitta, which eventually led to a recording contract with Sony Music Latin.
Earlier this year at South by Southwest, Gale was working on her second album, “Lo Que Puede Pasar.” She had already released two songs from it: the indie-pop track “Skittles,” which she wrote about her first love who passed away, and “Ysilandia,” a punk-influenced ballad featuring Puerto Rican singer Robi.
× She recently finished her second album and is excited for people to hear it. She aimed to create something upbeat, direct, and with a fuller sound, and she achieved this by trying new songwriting techniques and fully embracing life experiences.
With her first album, “Lo Que No Te Dije,” released in 2023, the singer effortlessly mixed rock, reggaeton, and pop sounds. She describes wanting to express the raw emotions of a breakup without worrying about fitting into specific genres, and instead focused on creating something truly her own.
Gale described their first album as a deeply personal reflection on a breakup – full of nostalgia and vulnerability. For their next project, they’re aiming for something more lighthearted and creatively adventurous.
I spoke with De Los in March about her evolving creative approach, her passion for music, and her love of pop. We recently talked again over Zoom to learn the story behind her second album, “Lo Que Puede Pasar,” which is being released on Thursday.
This interview has been condensed and edited for clarity.
After releasing my first album, “Lo Que No Te Dije,” I was eager to get back into the studio and explore new ideas. That first album was very personal – it was all about a breakup and looking back on things. For this second album, I wanted something different: I wanted to have fun and just be creative. The main idea behind “Lo Que Puede Pasar” is to stop overthinking and really feel life as it happens. Every experience, good or bad – falling in love, feeling sad – can teach you something and help you grow.
I discovered a way to unlock creativity by giving myself writing prompts – anything from potential themes to titles. I’d write these down and then, during a writing session, randomly pick one to work with. It’s a great way to revisit old memories or reconnect with feelings I’d forgotten.
So, it sounds like you used a writing workshop format in the studio. How much of the new album originated from those exercises? Actually, most of the songs started that way. We each drew a little slip of paper – we call them papelitos – and then we discussed how I envisioned each idea. For the song “Sería Cool,” I specifically wanted to write about the experience of a really tough breakup, so the writing wasn’t necessarily based on my feelings at the moment I was writing it.
I wrote “Skittles” about my first love. It’s a really special experience for many people – a time that’s often memorable, dramatic, and deeply emotional. For me, it was a beautiful relationship, and I wanted to capture that feeling in the song, which is exactly what we did.
× Some of my songs, like “Ysilandia” and “Domingo,” weren’t written based on a specific idea. “Ysilandia” actually came from a conversation with my therapist. I was listing all my anxieties – things like worrying about not being able to perform or my manager being unable to attend. My therapist pointed out that I was living in “Ysilandia,” which is basically “What If Land,” and that those problems weren’t real. It hit me then that I’d built a whole world in my head filled with these “what ifs,” and I was just overthinking everything.
The final song on the album, “Domingo,” was actually written on a Sunday. I was at the studio and feeling homesick at the time. The album as a whole blends what was happening in my life with broader, almost fated, themes.
In your song “Domingo,” you talk about the difficult experience of leaving your family to pursue your ambitions. What inspired you to capture that feeling of homesickness in your music? I come from a very close-knit and lively family – we’re a big group, always together on Sundays and on annual trips, even wearing matching outfits! Leaving them to follow my dreams was incredibly tough, but they were supportive and encouraging. Choosing this career path requires a lot of sacrifice, and it’s a constant challenge.
It’s clear you’ve always been incredibly driven in your music career. You started performing young, pursued formal training, and initially found success writing songs for others. What fueled that persistent ambition? Well, ever since I was a child, I’ve been very determined to pursue music. I always felt a strong calling to it, even if I didn’t initially understand the technical side. I discovered I had a natural gift for songwriting – it felt like a superpower! I always believed I would succeed, though I didn’t know exactly how. I just knew music was my purpose, and it’s been incredibly fulfilling.
I often remind myself that once you’ve come this far, it’s too late to quit. I focus on enjoying the journey and losing myself in the process, even if it takes a little extra time. It’s important to me to remember how far I’ve come – I went to college, studied music, and started collaborating with other artists, and I fully appreciate all of it.
Did you ever question pursuing music, or were you always determined to follow that path? I always knew music was what I wanted to do, no matter what. At 17, after graduating from La Libre de Musica in Puerto Rico, I told my parents I wanted to move to Miami and become a star. My dad insisted I go to college, so I agreed as long as I could study music.
I finally took the leap and moved to Miami. I began writing, and it led to a publishing deal, allowing me to fully pursue my dream of being an artist.
Imagine being 17 again – what was it like to feel so sure of your path? For me, music has always been a refuge. When I think back to that time, I picture myself writing songs alone in my room, feeling secure and understood. It was a form of self-expression and healing. It wasn’t a choice I made; it felt like music chose me, and I don’t mind if that sounds a bit predictable. I honestly can’t imagine doing anything else. It never felt like I chose music, but rather that it was always meant to be.
From the energetic dance sections in songs like “Pa’ Qué Te Quedas” to the emotional piano ballads like “El Amor Y Sus Consecuencias,” this album is fundamentally a pop record. I’ve always considered myself a pop fan – I grew up listening to artists like Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera, Shakira, Avril Lavigne, and Selena Quintanilla. It was either that, or the bolero music my dad played. I was singing songs by Armando Manzanero and Pablo Milanes at a very young age, and I was always struck by how meaningful and poetic their lyrics were. I feel like my music exists in both of those worlds – the catchy energy of pop and the deeply emotional, poetic lyrics. I love bringing those two elements together.
So because of that, pop music is never superficial to me.
This album really feels like a journey of self-discovery, and when I spoke with the artist, they shared a powerful lesson they learned during the process. They used to be a real perfectionist, needing everything just so, but this time around, they let go. It was about embracing the process, accepting imperfections, and realizing that’s where the joy lies. They beautifully put it as reconnecting with their inner child – that seven-year-old Galesita who simply loved writing songs. It’s a reminder to be grateful for the opportunity and just keep creating, and honestly, it comes through in the music. It feels a lot more authentic because of it.
Read More
- Clash Royale Best Boss Bandit Champion decks
- Mobile Legends November 2025 Leaks: Upcoming new heroes, skins, events and more
- Stocks stay snoozy as Moody’s drops U.S. credit—guess we’re all just waiting for the crash
- Bentley Delivers Largest Fleet of Bespoke Flying Spurs to Galaxy Macau
- The John Wick spinoff ‘Ballerina’ slays with style, but its dialogue has two left feet
- Bealls & Flexa: Bitcoin Bonanza at 660+ Stores! 🛍️💰
- Clash of Clans: How to beat the Fully Staffed Challenge
- Delta Force Best Settings and Sensitivity Guide
- Millionaire Chicken Heir Johnny Ingham and Wife Rey Welcome Their First Baby!
- Clash Royale Furnace Evolution best decks guide
2025-10-30 22:33