Ana Mena’s Bellodrama: From Málaga to a Global Pop Stage
Ana Mena delivers a bold message on her second studio album, Bellodrama, tracing a journey from her hometown of Málaga to a worldwide audience. Five years after the release of Index, the Spanish artist released Bellodrama, an album that blends intimate storytelling with bright pop energy. The work follows a narrative arc of love, heartbreak, and resilience across 15 tracks. In live settings, she embodies a “diva in pain,” drawing on folkloric influences from her childhood to give the songs a distinct, cinematic feel. The accompanying Bellodrama tour spans a wide range of venues, including performances in the Region of Murcia, with two Italianate stops as part of a broader Spanish tour. The singer is set to perform twice in a single weekend in our country: Saturday night at the Antonio Ibáñez football field in Jumilla at eleven, and Sunday at the Salt and Music cycle’s local fairground in San Pedro del Pinatar at half past ten.
Bellodrama is your second studio album; how did this project come together?
The project came to life two years earlier when Ana found a clearer musical voice. She felt ready to share something new and honest. Those years were spent refining her sound and identifying just what she wanted to express. Today, she believes she has found her most confident musical voice yet, a moment she describes as the point where everything finally clicked.
How would you describe the album in terms of its spirit and influences?
Bellodrama is a tribute to classic pop in all its forms. It feels eclectic—from the opening track to the final note—and it’s designed for big moments on stage. The album captures a spectrum of moods: playful and energetic, tender and reflective, and at times deeply emotional. Ana defines Bellodrama as the whimsy that lives inside melancholy, a paradox that fuels the music’s emotional range.
The creation process spanned two years and crossed borders, including Spain and Italy. What inspired this mix of influences?
A wide range of artists inspired the project. Ana shared a list of sources—from Katy Perry to Jeanette, with La Oreja de Van Gogh also lending a touch of their iconic pop sensibility. The album grew from these influences, stitched together by her evolving voice and a desire to experiment with different textures and sounds.
If you had to pick a track that best represents the whole album, which would it be?
Slowly stands out as the crown jewel of the collection. It is described as the most beautiful song on the album, capturing the essence of its emotional and sonic character in a single, enduring moment.
Bellodrama traverses ballad, bachata, and pop. Do you resist pigeonholing the project?
Label-era thinking is not appealing here. Bellodrama lives in pop as a broad ecosystem, with room for spontaneity and change from day to day. The artist aims to stay free—one day exploring a bold surprise, the next chasing something completely different. The young audience, too, often resists rigid categories, preferring music that moves with them rather than confines them.
The success of this era is evident in physical and digital realms. How does Ana feel about the continued relevance of records in a digital world?
There is real happiness in seeing audiences engage in person. The live response—ranking, feedback, and the raw energy of a concert—adds a beauty that digital formats alone can’t provide. It’s a reminder that music remains a tactile, communal experience, not just a stream on a screen.
The past few years have been busy. How does Ana manage the pace and pressure of growing success?
Ana stays rooted by maintaining a steady home base and a strong support network. She is currently a resident, balancing moments of high demand with the steady rhythm of a team that feels like family. Having a reliable crew and family around helps navigate both the spotlight and the quieter, more challenging days. Surrounding herself with honest voices—both praise and critique—keeps her grounded and focused.
Collaborations with Natalia Lacunza, Becky G, and other artists have shaped the project. Any dream collaborations on the horizon?
The list is long and exciting; while specifics aren’t disclosed, Ana has expressed a desire to work with a wide array of artists, including Fito y Fitipaldis. Such a collaboration would be wonderfully unexpected and highly anticipated, a perfect match for her love of musical experimentation and genre-blurring pairings.