Buscabulla’s Love (Actually)

When Raquel Berrios told Luis Alfredo Del Valle, her bandmate in Buscabulla, that she was writing personal songs about the rift in their romance, he initially balked. “Our careers thus far had never really been about our relationship, so it was definitely one of these things where I was like, Man, do we really have to go there? Is it anybody’s business?” says Del Valle. “But I had to look towards other artists who inspired me and come to terms with the fact that those artists are honest and vulnerable and aren't afraid to delve into things that might be uncomfortable. So at some point I had to accept it and embrace it in a way that was fully honest and forthcoming. I thought that would be our best shot at creating something genuine and profound—even though it’s a little bit like… how would you say… mortifying,” he laughs.

Berrios and Del Valle are chatting from the sprawling Brooklyn office of their label, Domino, both perched on a lush leather couch and emanating chill confidence. We’ve convened to discuss the Puerto Rican duo’s gorgeous new album, Se Amaba Así, which explores the vagaries of a relationship—their relationship—with sometimes startling frankness over slinky synth-pop and the occasional guitar-hero solo. They speak with the relaxed familiarity of the 10-year couple and parents of a daughter they are, Del Valle’s jokey instincts balanced by Berrios’ direct and somewhat serious demeanor.