In November 2018, Rosalía released her second studio album El Mal Querer, which she wrote and co-produced with el Guincho, her long-time collaborator. The album reimagines the folk and flamenco sound of Rosalía's previous album, Los Ángeles (2017), by mixing it with elements of radio-friendly pop and urbancrossover in an experimental key. Rosalía would expand her horizons and venture in reggaeton the following year, reaching mainstream audiences worldwide with songs like "Con Altura" or "Yo x Ti, Tu x Mi".
On El Mal Querer's follow-up Motomami, Rosalía aimed to experiment beyond her earlier albums' new flamenco sound. Initially planning to confect four different projects, Rosalía committed to a color palette at the sound level. "Candy" is one of the many songs Rosalía wrote during her time in the United States in the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic before starting a nine-month mixing and mastering process in Los Angeles. The song's original working name was "Olvidao". Rosalía ended co-producing the song as well as any other track on the album. "Candy" was recorded by engineers and songwriters David Rodríguez, Sean Matsukawa and Tyler Murphy; and mixed by Manny Marroquín at Larrabee, in Hollywood. Chris Gehringer mastered the track in New Jersey. Rosalía first teased "Candy" on TikTok on 31 December 2021 to great reception from fans.[1]
Music video
Rosalía announced the release of a music video for "Candy" during an interview on El Hormiguero on 17 March 2022 and shared a preview.[2] It was released the following day on digital platforms. The music video was produced and directed by Stillz and filmed in Shibuya, a special ward in Tokyo, Japan. Heavily inspired in the 2003 film Lost in Translation, it sees the singer in a short pink wig and American model Alton Mason at a karaoke bar.[3] In the music video, Rosalía wears a tight blue dress personally designed by late American fashion designer Virgil Abloh in July 2021, one of his lasts creations before his death later that year.[4]
Remix
A remix of "Candy" featuring Plan B's Chencho Corleone was released on 9 September 2022 as part of the bonus tracks on the deluxe edition of Motomami.[5]
Published by Songs of Universal, Inc. O/b/O itself and La Guantera Publishing (BMI) / WC Music Corp. (ASCAP) O/b/O Warner/Chappell Music Spain S.A. and RICO Publishing / Domino Publishing Company of America, Inc. / EMI April Music Inc. O/b/O itself, The Book Productions LLC, and LaShawn Daniels Productions, Inc. (ASCAP) / Sony/ATV Music Publishing / Sony/ATV Melody O/b/O itself and Fred Jerkins Publishing (ASCAP) / EMI Blackwood Music Inc. O/b/O itself, Quiet As Kept Music Inc., EMI Music Publishing Ltd., and Rodney Jerkins Productions, Inc. (BMI) / Kaan Gunesberk Publishing Designee / BMG Rights Management
Recorded by David Rodríguez, Sean Matsukawa and Tyler Murphy at Angel Sound in Barcelona, Dejavú Apartment in Los Angeles, Motomami House and Kiss the Chief in Miami, and Larrabee in North Hollywood.
