Marina Herlop 'Nekkuja'

While waiting for her last album 'Pripyat' to be released, Catalan composer and producer Marina Herlop felt emotionally unmoored and uncertain about her music career. To cope, she envisioned herself as a gardener, visualizing pulling out weeds representing negative emotions. As time passed, she realized that neglecting her artistic side had drained her creative energy, leaving her music to wither. To overcome this, she decided to focus on nurturing her art.

'Nekkuja' became the result of this process, a space where Marina Herlop’s warmest, most positive sentiments could flourish. The album is her brightest, poppiest statement to date, incorporating experimental elements while radiating positivity amidst a scene often dominated by darkness. Tracks like “Busa” introduce ornate acoustic instrumentation mixed with precise electronic touches, while Herlop’s voice transforms from a playful giggle into a layered mantra full of passion and energy. The album blooms further with “Karada,” where field recordings blend with harp plucks and ethereal vocals, creating a utopian metaphor for the creative process. Rather than presenting herself as an isolated genius, Marina Herlop likens her role to that of a gardener, collaborating with nature to create something vibrant and enduring. By the album's final track “Babel,” her artistic garden has blossomed into an intricate tapestry of vocal phrases and orchestral flourishes, symbolizing the beauty of devotion and perseverance.