"Pa Mis Muchachas" is Aguilera's first single in Spanish since her rendition of "Hoy Tengo Ganas de Ti" withAlejandro Fernández in 2013.[1] Aguilera began work on her second Spanish-language album in 2015, and later relocated to Miami, Florida in early 2021 to record the record. Recording sessions were held at Art House studios, starting in February 2021.[2][3][4] "Pa Mis Muchachas" was the first song written and recorded for the album, during the first session.[5] After being introduced to Becky G, Nicole and Peluso, Aguilera decided that they were the perfect collaborators for the song.[5]
"Pa Mis Muchachas" is aguaracha song, a genre of music characterized by fast tempo whichoriginated from Cuba.[6] It is written in the key ofA minor with a moderately fast tempo of 118 beats-per-minute.[7] Like the rest ofLa Fuerza,[8] the song's lyrical content focuses onfemale empowerment, serving as "an homage to women", with Aguilera noting that.[9] The song talks about how a woman's strength is "something that gets passed down by generations".[10] It was chosen as the lead single because it embraces Aguilera's "love of feeling like a unit".[11]: 06:20 Because of its theme, "Pa Mis Muchachas" has been compared to previous songs with feministic undertones recorded by Aguilera — including "What a Girl Wants" and "Can't Hold Us Down".[12]
After teasing the single through several teaser videos on her social media,[13] Aguilera eventually announced "Pa Mis Muchachas" and Becky G, Nicole and Peluso as her collaborators on October 19, 2021.[14] The song and its music video were released on October 22, 2021.[15][16] The song was performed for the first time at the22nd Annual Latin Grammy Awards, alongside Becky G, Nicole and Peluso.[17] The performance was called a "decadent,grrl-power-filled showcase" byThe Latin Recording Academy.[5] "Pa Mis Muchachas" was performed solo for the first time at World AIDS Day Concert LA Revival, held by the AIDS Healthcare Foundation on December 1, 2021.[18] It was then featured on Aguilera's 2022EU/UK Summer Series promotional tour.[19][20] Aguilera performed the song again during her live-streamed show at theHollywood Palladium organized in celebration of the 35 year partnership between Citi and American Airlines on October 6, 2022.[21][22][23]
Upon release, the song received positive reviews.Harper's Bazaar writer Bianca Betancourt noted that "Aguilera's signature vocals shine over the infectious guaracha-style beat — a high-tempo genre that stems from Cuba" adding that "it's the best she's sounded in years".[9] AManila Standard writer also praised Aguilera's vocals noting that the track contains "simmering acoustic guitar threads around a head-nodding beat as [Aguilera's] instantly recognizable vocals ring out".[24] They went on to say that her "show-stopping delivery" complimented the accompanying voices of Becky G, Nicki Nicole, and Nathy Peluso and that the song "unites some of the boldest powerhouses in Latin music and culture, heating up each verse".[24] Paige Mastrandrea ofOcean Drive praised the song for its "nostalgic vibe" that the audiences were "craving from" Aguilera since her previous female collaboration — 2001's "Lady Marmalade",[5] a sentiment also shared by Enrique Cerros ofNEIU Independent.[25]Billboard considered the song "a modern-daygirl-power anthem that honors the Latinas that came before us",[26] andRolling Stone's Lucas Villa simply labelled it as "mighty".[27]
The song was being likened to Aguilera's 2001 single "Lady Marmalade" by multiple critics.[5][25]
Writing forAtwood Magazine, Josh Weiner found the song "extraordinary", a "delight", and "one of the most energetic numbers Aguilera’s produced in recent memory".[28] Pip Ellwood-Hughes fromEntertainment Focus thought the song is "as infectious as it is powerful", and praised Aguilera for her work with Latin female artists, which he believed "works well for the purpose of this song".[6] Cynthia Valdez of¡Hola! opined that "Pa Mis Muchachas" "overflows with spirit, strength, soul and style", and noted that the performers "make each verse of the song explode with emotion".[29]AllMusic's Neil Z. Yeung named the song a "showstopper" which "ends with a shiver-inducing vocal run that could bring the house down".[30]
"Pa Mis Muchachas" was listed as one of the best Latin songs of 2021 byAmazon Music's experts. It was ranked at number thirty-nine on the top hundred list.[31] Bianca Betancourt ofHarper's Bazaar placed the song at number nineteen on the list of 2021's best songs, and called it "a bold and vivacious anthem celebrating the female friendships that make us stronger, in which Aguilera belts her signature runs over a traditional Cuban guaracha beat." She added that Aguilera "remains one of the strongest vocalists of her generation — regardless of language".[32]The Tab's Harrison Brocklehurst named "Pa Mis Muchachas" "one of the greatest songs of 2021" and "one of the best songs of her [Aguilera's] career".[33]Ticketmaster andAmerican Songwriter both ranked the song among the best ever recorded by Aguilera.[34][35]
Throughout Europe, "Pa Mis Muchachas" peaked at number twenty-four on the HungarianSingle Top 40 chart,[52] as well as number seventy-six on theGerman Download Chart.[53] In Spain, the track reached number seven onBillboard's Spain Digital Songs chart,[54] and number sixty-eight ofPROMUSICAE's official singles chart.[55]
The scene in which Aguilera drinks tequila and dances with another woman is inspired by a similar moment betweenSalma Hayek andAshley Judd in the movieFrida.[56][57]
Aguilera first teased the video with a 15-second snippet of two women walking into a party against a backdrop of guitar string sounds, before fading out.[58] The clip gained more than 528,000 views onTwitter.[58] Aguilera noted that the video is a "first episode of a long story to come ... This is a celebration of individuality. This is a story about strength, about how to let your hair down. About rediscovering yourself along the way".[59] The video was shot in Buenos Aires, Los Angeles and Madrid.[60] It was produced by Brooke McDaniel and Ade Macalinao,[61] and its dance sequence was choreographed by Teresa "Toogie" Barcelo.[62]
The music video was first teased on October 19, 2021,[60] and then released alongside the song on October 22.[14] On October 22, it also debuted onMTVLA (Latin America).[60] It was directed byAlexandre Moors,[59] and takes place in a luxurious mansion.[63] The singer portrays a mafia boss of the underground association where women "look out for each other".[11]: 5:40 Aguilera's character gets betrayed by a love interest (played by Francesco Cuizza) and it is decided he needs to be captured and eliminated.[64][11]: 5:40
The scene in which Aguilera drinks tequila straight from the bottle and sensually dances with another woman was inspired by the 2002 biographical filmFrida, specifically a similar, homoerotic sequence featuringSalma Hayek andAshley Judd.[57][56] However, one may speculate that Aguilera's character picks up agender-nonconforming person person to dance with.[65]: 2:07 The music video also featuresBlack womenbreastfeeding in public,[65]: 1:56 Dobermanns,[65]: 0:22 female models as bodyguards,[65]: 0:31 and queer dancers.[65]: 2:10 A three-minute behind-the scenes footage was released on Aguilera's YouTube channel in 2022.[66]
On October 29, 2021,MTV Music UK included the video on its playlist of "the biggest music videos" of the week.[67][68] In November 2021, the video was included in theMTV Latin America's list of top twenty music videos.[69] In December,Radio Disney Latino named "Pa Mis Muchachas" the 2nd best music video of 2021.[70]
^abEllwood-Hughes, Pip (January 27, 2022)."Christina Aguilera – 'La Fuerza' EP Review".Entertainment Focus. Piñata Media Limited. Archived from the original on January 28, 2022. RetrievedJanuary 29, 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
^Rivieccio, Genna (January 21, 2022)."La Fuerza is with Xtina".Culled Culture. Neonmagzin. Archived from the original on March 31, 2024. RetrievedMarch 31, 2024.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
^"Top 50 Music Awards 2021" (in Spanish). Top 50 Oficial – Tu Portal Musical. Archived from the original on March 31, 2022. RetrievedApril 10, 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
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