Emilia Releases "Bodypainting," a First Taste of Her Third Album

Emilia released her solo single "Bodypainting" on Oct. 29, the day she turned 30. It is the first preview of her third studio album, the full-length record an artist makes in the studio, and her first solo single of the year.

Billboard describes the song as a progressive fusion of alternative and electronic music, built on the pop sound at the core of Emilia's work. Progressive, in music terms, means the track moves through changing sections and textures rather than repeating one simple pattern.

Emilia talked about the single in a video interview for Billboard's "Cafecito Con" series, published on Nov. 3. Billboard's companion video says the conversation took place over coffee in Miami. In it, she said "Bodypainting" speaks to themes of freedom and sensuality.

She also reflected on her 2023 album, .mp3, which she said set the bar quite high. She said she is trying to meet her fans' expectations with the new record. She described people seeing a more mature version of herself, one who shares her own experiences and moments from her life.

The interview covered a wide range of topics. Emilia discussed her collaboration with Zara Larsson, a song titled "Girl's Girl," which Billboard also promoted on social media on Nov. 2. She talked about performing at Coachella, her gym routine, and a trip to Japan with her boyfriend, Duki.

Her list of collaborators is long. She has worked with Manuel Turizo, Ludmilla, Latto, Carlos Vives, Wisin and Zara Larsson. Each partnership is its own project, with its own songwriters, producers and release plans.

For listeners, "Bodypainting" is a clear entry point to what comes next. A single is one song released on its own ahead of a larger project, so the track gives a first sense of the direction without showing the whole record. Emilia's own description points to a more personal set of songs, built on experiences she is now more willing to share.