IISMA Brings New Emotional Depth to a Familiar Story With "Siento Igual"

Puerto Rican bilingual singer-songwriter IISMA is revisiting one of his most personal songs with a fresh perspective. His latest single, "Siento Igual," transforms his 2019 release "Feel the Same" into a vibrant salsa record, proving that a familiar story can take on entirely new meaning when told through the sounds that shaped an artist's roots. Following a career that began with his debut single "RUN" in 2018 and a No. 5 U.S. Soul Chart collaboration with Gwendolyn Collins on "Hold Me," IISMA continues to showcase the versatility that has defined his music across Latin pop, salsa, R&B, and soul.

Rather than simply translating the lyrics into Spanish, "Siento Igual" feels like a complete reinvention. The lively percussion, warm brass, and rhythmic groove contrast beautifully with the song's emotional weight, creating a listening experience that invites movement while quietly confronting heartbreak. It's a reminder that salsa has always been as much about storytelling as it is about dancing.

Lyrically, IISMA captures the painful realization that love has quietly faded long before anyone is willing to admit it. The song avoids blame and dramatic confrontation, instead focusing on acceptance. That emotional maturity becomes its greatest strength. Instead of clinging to a relationship that's already slipping away, the narrator chooses clarity over denial, recognizing that genuine love cannot be forced.

What makes "Siento Igual" especially compelling is its sense of authenticity. By revisiting an older song through the lens of his Puerto Rican heritage, IISMA creates something that feels deeply personal without losing its universal appeal. The result is a heartfelt salsa release that honors where he's been while confidently embracing where his artistry is headed.

What inspired you to revisit “Feel the Same” after several years instead of writing an entirely new salsa song?

Here’s the thing. I actually wrote “Feel the Same” and “Siento Igual” around the same time. Originally, the plan was for “Siento Igual” to just be a straight Spanish version with the same production and everything. But when I recorded it back then, something didn’t sit right with me. It didn’t feel like the right version, so I shelved it. I always knew I’d come back to it eventually, though. Years later, I realized it needed its own identity instead of just being a translation. Reimagining it as a salsa record finally gave it the life I always felt it deserved.

How did growing up around salsa influence the way you approached the arrangement and production of “Siento Igual”?

Salsa’s just always been part of my life, honestly, so that influence never really left. Moving back to the island brought me even closer to it. Hearing those classic records again, singing along, and being surrounded by that culture day to day reminded me why I fell for the genre in the first place. That said, I’m not trying to recreate old-school salsa. I’m also an R&B artist, a pop artist, and a soul artist. I love all of it. So when I make salsa, those influences come with me whether I plan it or not. I like blending the storytelling and energy of salsa with melodies and textures pulled from R&B and soul. That’s what feels real to me.

Was there a specific moment in your own life that helped shape the emotional honesty behind this version of the song?

Like most of my songs, it comes from something real. I think everyone’s had that moment where you realize something’s changed before anyone actually says it out loud. Whether it came from one specific thing or built up over time, that’s the feeling behind this song. I wanted people to see themselves in it, not just hear my story.

As an artist who records in both English and Spanish, how do you decide which language best serves a particular story?

Honestly, it starts with the emotion first. Some songs just come out in English. Others only feel right in Spanish. I don’t force it either way. I let the song tell me. With “Siento Igual,” Spanish let me connect it to salsa in a way that felt true to my roots while still keeping the heart of the original intact.

Looking ahead, can fans expect more reimagined versions of previous songs, or is this release pointing toward the sound of your next project?

A bit of both, honestly. I’ve got some older English songs I’m reworking into salsa, but there’s brand-new music coming too. I’ve never wanted to box myself into one genre. I just follow the song. If it wants to be salsa, that’s where it’ll go. If it wants to be R&B, pop, soul, or something else entirely, that’s where it’ll go too. I’d rather let the music lead than limit myself to one sound.