"Tabú" (transl. "Taboo") is a song by Spanish singer-songwriter Pablo Alborán and American singer Ava Max. It was released on 6 November 2019.
Background and promotion
On 25 October 2019, Alborán started posting cryptic illustrations of a group called El Clan.[1] According to the captions, all of the figures are connected to flashbacks Alborán's character once experienced and were collectively aimed at a project called "Tabú" which would be out on 6 November.[2] Three days later, Alborán posted the image of a partially masked Ava Max and hinted at a possible collaboration. Both artists confirmed the song "Tabú" a day after that.[3][4] The singers performed the song live for the first time a few days before release.[5]
Music video
The music video was released on 6 November 2019 and was directed by Santiago Salviche.[6] The release of the video was broadcast live at Callao Square in Madrid.[7] According to Diario Sur, the video is based on classic tragedies like Blood Wedding and Romeo and Juliet but with a futuristic spin, reminiscent of Blade Runner or Mad Max.[6] Thematically, the video deals with a man falling in love just before getting married, therefore breaking a "taboo".[8]