Lourdes Pita – Soul Dance
Following her first fully Spanish-language album, “Lamento Cubano” from late 2022, a compilation of Spanish songs that had appeared on earlier albums alongside new material, singer-songwriter Lourdes Pita returns fully to English with “Soul Dance”. This new album, featuring ten original compositions, was released on October 9, 2025, and marks a new phase in her artistic development, where she once again seeks the balance between introspection and optimism.
Pita, whose career spans approximately 25 years of recorded output, has developed a sound that is difficult to pigeonhole. At nine years old, she learned guitar from her mother, the internationally acclaimed Cuban poet in exile, Juana Rosa Pita. This musical foundation, combined with her classical training as a flutist, has resulted in a style variously described as folk-pop, adult contemporary, and acoustic rock. “Soul Dance” demonstrates that Pita refuses to be confined to a single genre. The album combines her characteristically clear vocals with carefully produced arrangements that allow space for both intimacy and power.
The title track “Soul Dance” opens the album and immediately sets the tone. The song showcases Pita’s dynamic vocal delivery, as she shifts between soft, contemplative passages and more powerful outbursts. “Courage to Live” follows with an optimistic musical message that fits within the tradition of her earlier work, where themes of hope and perseverance take centre stage. This positive undertone runs throughout the entire album, which is typical of Pita’s songwriting over the years.
One of the standout tracks is “Coming Home”, a song that evokes nostalgia without descending into sentimentality. The production is subtle and thoughtful, with acoustic guitar work that is given room to breathe. The instrumental track “Home”, a solo acoustic guitar composition, demonstrates Pita’s technical proficiency as an instrumentalist and provides a welcome respite between the vocal tracks. It is a bold choice to include a fully instrumental piece on a contemporary singer-songwriter album. Songs like “This is the Way”, “Time to Shine”, “Treasures of the Heart”, “Holding On”, “Safe Room”, and “Part of the Solution” deliver a similar sonic experience, where carefully chosen instrumentation and thoughtful lyrics come together.
The album’s production is solid, with a clear mix in which Pita’s voice always takes centre stage. The arrangements are not overly complex, but it is precisely this simplicity that allows the emotional weight of the songs to come through effectively. However, the album sometimes remains somewhat predictable within the well-trodden paths of the singer-songwriter genre. Some songs could have benefited from more experimental production choices or unexpected turns in the arrangements to give the album more distinctive character within the crowded landscape of contemporary folk-pop.
In terms of songwriting, Pita also opts for an accessible approach. Her lyrics are sincere, with themes ranging from personal growth to emotional resilience. The lyrical approach is direct and relatable, though some texts remain somewhat surface-level. For listeners seeking deeper poetic layers or more abstract imagery, this may be a shortcoming. It is interesting that Pita, daughter of an acclaimed poet with more than 30 poetry collections to her name, chooses this accessible approach rather than more literary experiments. However, the directness can also be seen as a strength, as it makes the songs universally comprehensible.
The instrumental track “Home” deserves special mention because it shows that Pita can tell a story even without words. This solo guitar composition offers a moment of rest and reflection, and demonstrates that her musicality extends beyond just her vocal work. After nearly four decades of playing and composing, her technical command of the instrument is evident, and this track underscores that in a subtle way.
“Soul Dance” is an album that delivers what it promises: it offers ten solid songs that underscore Pita’s skills as a songwriter and performer. It is not revolutionary and will probably not break new sonic barriers, but for fans of accessible, well-crafted singer-songwriter music, this is a reliable addition to Pita’s discography, which includes albums such as “Now is the Time” from 1994, “In Control” from November 2001, “Seize the Dream” from 2006, and “House of Light” from 2010. The album radiates a calm and self-assurance that befits an artist who, after approximately 25 years of recorded output, still knows how to connect with her audience. The songs are expertly written and produced, with a positive undertone that is characteristic of Pita’s work. Whether “Soul Dance” will attract new listeners remains to be seen, but for those already familiar with her work, this delivers exactly what they can expect: honest, musically accomplished songs that feel familiar yet sound fresh enough to remain relevant. (7/10) (Lourdes Pita)
