Critic Score
Based on 7 reviews
2018 Ratings: #53 / 890
Year End Rank: #25
User Score
2018 Rank: #25
Liked by 385 people
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CRITIC REVIEWS

100
The Guardian

It’s not terribly straightforward and it’s a very long way indeed from Despacito. Or anything else in the charts. But that’s its appeal. Whether it heralds the arrival of a new pop phenomenon or not, El Mal Querer is the calling card of a unique new talent.

88
Pitchfork
It is one of the most exciting and passionately composed albums to appear not only in the global bass tradition but in the pop and experimental spheres this year.
80
AllMusic

There is as much subtlety in both the compositions and production as there is drama, all of it imbued with restless soul via Rosalía's singular voice that marries the folk lineage of flamenco to 21st century styles and sounds, making El Mal Querer not only a provocative and original offering, but a magnificent one as well.

80
Rolling Stone

Rosalía’s new album, El Mal Querer, is less rigorous than its predecessor, though even easier to like.

80
The Needle Drop

Rosalía makes a fantastic transition into modern pop aesthetics without sacrificing her flamenco roots.

80
Q Magazine
A bastion of control and quaking vulnerability that strikes a match against its sombre surrounds.
70
Crack Magazine

El Mal Querer is a hopeless romantic that pays its respects to tradition without ever feeling cynical. The acoustic leanings may not be for everyone, but the album’s unity of artificial and authentic is worth tuning into

the13thbeach
NR

When I listen to El Mal Querer, I think of my experience studying abroad in Spain back in 2015. I wonder about what my Spanish ancestors were doing before they left Spain to go to what is now Colombia and Puerto Rico (I'm 1/2 Colombian and 1/2 Puerto Rican). I feel nostalgic about when my mother used to put on flamenco records. I get excited about a future where the old guard and the new blood intertwine seamlessly, a future where music and language transcend borders.

Rosalía and Co. ... read more

Pamford45
85

I'm hispanic and being able to fully understand what she says is a blessing.

I don't even like flamenco but this seems like the reasonable evolution of it. She took the outdated sound of the genre and implemented elements of modern music like trap. Then, inside this foundation, she worked on an amazing concept album very reminiscent of the themes of the genres she's working on. It feels polished, refreshing and most importantly, it sounds fucking good.

Major props to her. She made me love a ... read more

Case
85

ROSALÍA’S DISCOGRAPHY DIVE #2

After listening to “Los Ángeles”, it was time to finally hear “EL MAL QUERER” in full. I had heard many of the songs from it and loved them, especially “Malamente”, which is probably my favorite song from Rosalia. I was really excited to hear this, especially considering how much people love this album. And after listening a few times, I can see why as I also love it.

EL MAL QUERER is a fantastic album that ... read more

90

Faves: Malamente, Pieno En Tu Mira, Di Mi Nombre

SoupSlam
86

DI MI NOMBRE (BB ref)

LisbonBih
87

Revisiting this album feels so different when MOTOMAMI is a thing.

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Added on: September 13, 2018