“Pop Pesado,” the new album by Mexican singer-songwriter EMJAY, whose real name is María José de la Torre Villaseñor, is filled with chaos, unfiltered sensuality, and a measured, fleeting vulnerability that still feels sincere. It is an intense introduction to an artist who has decided to put everything on the line across these 13 songs.
The journey begins with “arma mortal,” a track packed with distorted vocals and sensual whispers. The vocal layers, synthesizers, and magnetic beats heard here return at different points throughout the record, though the artist finds new ways to play with them each time.
Like a Madonna for a new generation, EMJAY exudes a freedom that does not hide behind metaphors. “Obsesión” and “Moreno Fantasy” add to this side of her with explicit, irreverent lyrics about desire and encounters without asking for permission or, much less, forgiveness.
“I came to the conclusion that ‘Pop Pesado’ is a little bit of my life. When I’m in love, I give myself completely to a thousand fantasies, and everything feels incredible; when I feel a little lonely, I end up going back to the person who has hurt me the most; and when I feel completely broken, I end up lying on the floor of the club. To me, ‘Pop Pesado’ is allowing yourself to feel every emotion without holding back,” she shared.
To bring the intensity down a little, “Donde tú,” her collaboration with Alanis Yuki, arrives. It could easily be danced to slowly on a dance floor, but it could also soundtrack a solitary bubble bath by candlelight, accompanied by a glass of wine.
“Xtraparticular” stands out for its rising energy and for the way EMJAY responds to criticism and other people’s opinions. The song comes with a music video in which she embraces her sensuality and turns the attention directed at her into part of the spectacle, with the strength and certainty that cats always land on their feet.
Among the collaborations, “atemporal,” featuring Ximena Sariñana, also stands out as one of the album’s moments closest to rock, along with “Te vas alejando,” featuring DannyLux. The latter slows down a project that otherwise seems to move forward without stopping to catch its breath.
“Como cuesta mentir” is one of the album’s most interesting surprises. Here, EMJAY briefly removes her firm, sensual armor to reveal a more vulnerable side. That pause gives the record another dimension and hints at how much effort may lie behind an image that appears capable of enduring anything.
“Tirada en el Club” closes the journey with a chaotic and, at times, sad song. Daylight reveals the aftermath of an intense night, when the party is over and a sharp emptiness remains, difficult to explain.
Originally from Guadalajara, the singer-songwriter began her recording career with “LAS MORRAS TAMBIÉN HACEN TR444P” in 2023. Then came “me estoy volviendo loca,” released in 2025. With this new project, her third album, she expands her artistic direction by incorporating guitars and exploring different forms of pop in which strength and fragility complement one another.
After the silence settles, “Pop Pesado” leaves the impression of a real performance while suggesting that there is still much more to reveal. EMJAY comes across as confident, provocative, and willing to carry the weight of other people’s gazes without completely abandoning her sensitivity, as if, after thirteen tracks, there were still a part of the story she was not ready to tell.
Listen to “Pop Pesado” and connect with EMJAY on Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok.
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