times uncomfortable relationship with the media , her engaging and refreshingly honest manner remains greatly endearing to her fans .
“ It is so great being a mum and I feel very lucky , as the lockdown meant that we ’ ve spent a lot of time together as a family , which has been a positive . Usually , it had just been one or the other of us looking after our daughter , who has now started really learning about family ,” says Paloma of her now three-year old .
As she adds , the record ’ s title track , Infinite Things , is about her youngster , and was inspired from previously reading Argentine writer and poet Jorge Luis Borge ’ s short story , The Aleph , in which its central character experiences the full spectrum of human emotion , from pain to joy , within a single moment .
“ With the title track , it ’ s about seeing things through my daughter ’ s eyes and is about becoming a parent , and how that it is all about continuing humanity . You experience the worst heartache with it .
“ The album is also a commentary on society as well in respect of issues raised by living in the pandemic , and also knowing people who have lost loved ones .
“ It ’ s also about enduring love , as we ’ re most used to hearing about the initial parts of a relationship on that first spark , so it ’ s an area that that ’ s under-represented . I think there ’ s a big cultural hole there that I ’ m aiming to address ,” notes Paloma , who isn ’ t afraid to tackle some difficult subject areas that many would shun . This is most notable on one of the early tracks on the album , Monster , which is a reflection on the darker side of the music business .
There ’ s certainly a bittersweet edge to one of the album ’ s standout tracks , the spinetingling ballad If Loving You Were Easy , which would not seem out of place on a James Bond soundtrack – “ I was born to do Bond ” she asserts , yet is also acutely aware that the more she mentions it , the less likely it will happen . But in spite of whatever occurs , it seems there ’ s a strong level of support out there for her . As she explains , she and her other half Leyman Lahcine , a French artist , have endured a lot in recent years , including handling a total of six rounds of fertility treatment . While they may have challenges ahead , including Paloma revealing she ’ s prone to postnatal depression , they ’ ve demonstrated a strong degree of resilience .
“ I ’ d pretty much resigned myself to giving up with this latest treatment , and I thought that this just wasn ’ t going to happen . It felt like it was the last chance saloon and I was thinking to myself , where am I am going with this ?
“ With IVF , I think it ’ s sad that men don ’ t really talk about it in public , and it ’ s one of those things where society always assumes that it is a female issue . It ’ s something that can be hard on relationships ,” she admits , keen to put across the fact that they ’ ve split their childcare as evenly as possible .
As if that wasn ’ t enough to contend with , she ’ s greatly enjoyed the opportunity to explore acting roles – notably in the Batman series , Pennyworth , which she describes as an ‘ amazing experience ’ that she would love the chance to repeat .
Clearly , planning for the future is a little hard contending with a pandemic , but the much-travelled singer is anticipating heading out on the road again for another UK tour next autumn . It ’ s a prospect she is eagerly awaiting , with performing remaining her grand passion , especially with the added bonus of designing her own sets .
Somehow , beyond being a recording artist , mum and actress , she ’ s still found time to devote to other personal interests , including being an ambassador for Oxfam and Greenpeace , which of great significance to her .
“ Being an ambassador is fantastic , as I feel like when you ’ re in my industry , it ’ s easy to lose sight of the reality about the world . The truth is , there are a lot more pressing things going on out there than singing a pop song , so if I can use my platform for the greater good then I absolutely should and intend to . “ I also find it something I get a lot of enjoyment out of and not for superficial reasons that I ’ ve pursued this career ,” she remarks , looking forward amid an uncertain world with a true sense of optimism .
Paloma is performing next year at :
September 21st - Manchester , Bridgewater Hall September 22nd - Manchester , Bridgewater Hall October 25th - Liverpool , Empire Theatre
Tickets are still available .
22 wirrallife . com