Ending ties with someone you deeply care about is one of life’s most heart-wrenching decisions. It’s akin to standing at a crossroads, where the path of personal growth diverges sharply from the comfort of shared memories and affection. This process often feels like a delicate dance of grieving and acceptance, a silent acknowledgment that love, in its many forms, sometimes demands the ultimate sacrifice for the sake of individual evolution. There’s an overwhelming sense of loss in the aftermath; a mourning for the future that will never come to pass with this person by your side. It’s a bittersweet realization that sometimes, love means stepping away so that both people can seek their fullest potential, even if that journey must begin apart.
This feeling is distilled in the video for Vamos A La Luz, a song from Argentinian artist Lux Mala. Within this gorgeous darkwave track, she dwells in the quiet aftermath of this kind of farewell, sitting in the space allowing for reflection and growth. These memories serve as reminders that relationships, in their beginning and ending, are profound teachers. The decision to part ways, though it may be draped in the immediate pain of goodbye, is ultimately a courageous step toward embracing the unknown and rediscovering oneself.
“Vamos a la luz,” translating to “Let’s go to the Light” in English, weaves a tale through its Spanish lyrics, capturing moments where words fall short in a drama tinged with minimalism. The track’s rhythm, driven by danceable electronic drums and complemented by a mellow, yet vibrant bass, is layered with continuous waves of synthesizers. Real strings eventually join, elevating the piece to its zenith, symbolizing the journey towards finding light at the end of a tunnel, all set to a backdrop that invites you to move with the music.
“It’s the first time I’ve released a brand new song in Spanish, and I felt a great relief to be able to get those feelings out of me,” singer Nathalie Astrada says. “This song is my way to making up with people that are not in my life anymore, people that I love but for some reason had to cut our ties, to see the light, feel better with my life, with myself, and to move forward…Although I like to wander around in the dark poetically, sometimes it is difficult to realize when a person you love is hurting you. Love blinds us. Love confuses us. Sometimes it is unconscious, sometimes it is not. That is why you should take care of yourself first, never let your guard down.”
This video, captured in the winter ambiance of Málaga, Spain, illustrates the pain of solitude. Nathalie took a step back from the limelight to assume the role of director, wielding the camera with a keen eye for detail. Valle Gren stars as the central figure, illuminated by the festive lights that adorn Málaga’s streets during the Christmas and New Year celebrations, adding a poignant contrast to the theme of loneliness.
“Personally, I enjoy more to be behind the camera,” admits Astrada. “I like to take care of every single detail and reshoot the scenes as many times that is needed until it is perfect. Even when I know I’m an amateur filmmaker, with limited skills and tools, it makes me happy to put the images I have in mind into my songs.”
Watch the video for “Vamos a la Luz” below:
In an era marred by disillusionment, where the vestiges of purity and benevolence struggle to assert themselves amid the prevailing tumult, Nathalie Astrada has found a resonant voice. Her work as Lux Mala is tinged with a stark realism that borders on the pessimistic: a poignant testament to the contemporary condition. It is a solitary cry in the night, seeking to unearth beauty in the most shadowed corners of existence. In her narratives, there is an exploration of a paradoxical relief found within suffering, and a robust affirmation of rebellion as a conduit for strength. Astrada’s reflections offer a mirror to a world grappling with its own complexities, providing a canvas where the sombre and the sublime intertwine.
Based in Spain, her work reflects the complexities of her native Argentina, emphasizing themes of harshness and nonconformity. She independently produces her music and videos, maintaining creative control. In 2022, Nathalie released her debut album “Lux Mala” and three singles, followed by an EP in late 2022. She continues to evolve artistically, with new songs on the horizon. Pablo Abatte was the Audio Engineer for Lux Mala.
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