Music has been a therapeutic outlet for many. When people can’t find the words to express their sorrows, joy, or immense sense of love, they turn to music to help them find the lyrics to their soul’s emotions.

While many believe that wisdom only comes with age, musicians have proven otherwise. The world is filled with melodies and lyrics from singers who have captured emotions in a way many cannot.

Puerto Rican singer-songwriter ELENA is one such musician. The 15-year-old infuses her music with a level of authenticity and soul that one would expect to see from a singer twice and thrice her age. 

ELENA sees music as a form of therapy, something that will be reflected in her music

The singer tells Latinidad Collective that her second album, “Qué tú te crees,” released on July 11, was a form of therapy for her as it challenged her emotionally.

Understandably, ELENA writes songs based on her own life experiences. But she admits that performing songs she wrote when she was sad pushes her to relive some of those moments. 

“[A challenge for me] when it comes to this album, I think, [is] probably continuing to showcase me as an artist and feeling like I have everything put together and continuing to record these songs and all of it and seeming like everything’s okay,” she states.

ELENA continues, “A lot of the themes in the album are something [that] happened to me that […] hurt me in some way or that really affected me, took an emotional toll on me.”

She notes that it’s “difficult” and explains that the emotions flood back when she revisits those themes in her songs. 

“It’s just like — it’s kind of like reminiscing. Like it’s just a part of you now, and you just have to keep going,” ELENA affirms.

For this reason, the 15-year-old singer believes that all her albums will be a form of therapy for her.

“I think all of my albums are going to be therapeutic for me,” she asserts. 

The singer continued, “I think I’m going to keep going through situations that are going to help me grow [and] are going to help me become a better person. And songwriting is just going to help me get through those difficult moments and those great moments as well.”

Her music will also reflect the rich influences she has been surrounded by all her life

ELENA shares that one of her biggest influences is her Puerto Rican heritage.

“You know, Puerto Rican people tend to show their personality, who they are, and I want to do that, too,” she explains. 

The songwriter continues, “I want to be authentic and show who I am and feel like a person that you can kind of just talk to because that’s what usually [happens] when I meet a new person in Puerto Rico. They’re always so nice, like if they’ve known you for such a long time, even if you just met them.”

She wants fans to see her as someone they can “rely on.”

She adds, “I think that’s a really nice vibe to give. And I think I really want to give that [as] someone that you can rely on, someone that you can say, ‘Oh, I’m going through this right now, but I’m sure ELENA’s going to have a song that — [one that] tells me all about this or like, I can relate to right now.’”

ELENA pours herself into her songs. It’s a trait she shares with her favorite artists, such as Jessie & Joy, Taylor Swift, and Olivia Rodrigo.

“When you can tell that someone really — like when someone really devoted [themselves and] like gave themselves to the song and you listen to it, and you’re like, ‘Wow, they really went through this,’ I think it just adds something to it,” ELENA attests.

She concludes, “It’s just like they really went through this. It gives more emotion to the song, and that’s something I want people to see through my music too.”

Check out ELENA’s “Qué tú te crees?” album anywhere you stream music.