At just 20 years old, Tony Mils is emerging as the new voice of love ballads in Spanish pop music. The young singer-songwriter presents his debut studio album, Escribí esto para ti (I Wrote This For You), an intimate and emotional project that, over the course of 13 songs, portrays the many stages of love, from self-love to the rawest heartbreak.
This release goes beyond music: Tony also created a short film to accompany the album, offering a visual narrative that fans can explore. He mentioned that if you look at his social media, you can trace the story behind his lyrics: “There you can see why this album was made,” he added.
TONY MILS OPENS HIS MUSICAL CHAPTER WITH ESCRIBÍ ESTO PARA TI: A CHRONOLOGY OF LOVE, HEARTBREAK, AND SELF-DISCOVERY
With heartfelt lyricism and meticulous production, Escribí esto para ti is an open love letter to the heart. Rather than following commercial formulas, Tony commits to telling his truth, blending influences from pop ballads to subtle country elements. In this conversation, Tony shares the lessons behind the album, his creative process, his dreams, and most importantly, how love fuels his art.
CONGRATULATIONS ON THE RELEASE OF YOUR FIRST ALBUM, ESCRIBÍ ESTO PARA TI.
This release is something I’ve been waiting for many years. Your debut album is the big milestone you aim for when you start a music career, so I spent years fine-tuning it, building the whole concept. Now that it’s out, I feel both happiness and relief.
FOR PEOPLE WHO WILL BE LISTENING TO THESE STORIES OF LOVE AND HEARTBREAK, WHICH TRACK SHOULD THEY START WITH?
This album is structured like a timeline. The first songs begin with self-love, which to me is the most important kind of love. I think that to unlock other kinds of love, you really have to work on self-love first.
Then comes the stage where you fall in love, all those beautiful feelings. The second half explores when things don’t go so well, when a relationship ends. It’s like two sides of the album. If you listen to it in order, you’ll experience all those emotions like a journey, and that’s what makes this album so special.
WHAT DID YOU ENJOY MOST ABOUT THE PROCESS?
I really enjoyed writing with people I care about, and watching this creative bubble slowly take shape. filling it up with ideas and music. Then came all the planning, scheduling, and strategy.
For me, that was the best part, living all the experiences that came with the creative process. Right now, what I’m enjoying most is hearing the public’s reactions, getting messages about how people have connected with the album. That’s the most beautiful part of making this.
CREATING A DEBUT ALBUM CAN ALSO BE CHALLENGING. WHAT WAS A MUSICAL CHALLENGE YOU FACED?
There were definitely challenges, especially since you have the idea of what the album should be, but you don’t fully understand what it takes to actually make one. Time was a big factor, and because I’m a perfectionist, I wanted the album to reflect who I am 100%.
There were months of trial and error. Of progress, setbacks, and a lot of frustration. I felt so many emotions, but in the end, it’s about staying calm, trusting you’re on the right path, and believing in yourself and your essence. That’s the best advice someone could’ve given me before starting this journey.
YOU MENTION LOVE AS THE CENTRAL THEME OF THE ALBUM. IF YOU HAD TO PICK ONE SONG THAT REPRESENTS THE LOVE YOU FEEL TODAY, WHICH WOULD IT BE AND WHY?
If I had to choose one, I’d say Ángel Guardián because it captures that feeling of loving someone, and wanting to protect them. That feeling of wanting to give them everything. It’s a reflection of what love drives you to do, to care for and protect the people you love.
YOU RECORDED YOUR FIRST SONGS IN COLOMBIA. HOW DID THAT COUNTRY INFLUENCE THE SOUND OF THE ALBUM?
My original music team was based in Colombia, and that’s where my career began. My first producers were there, and I learned a lot from their musical essence and rhythms. While reggaetón is more dominant there, my heart is more about pop and ballads, but Colombia gave me a strong foundation for my music today.
I had all kinds of experiences. I was nervous, wondering “What will people think of me?” but from day one, they welcomed me with open hearts. I also made amazing friendships. The artists I met there still reach out to me and support my project. That’s the beauty of starting there, and I’m grateful for those memories.
IS THERE A PRODUCTION DETAIL IN THE INSTRUMENTS, HARMONIES, OR VOCALS THAT THE PUBLIC MIGHT NOT NOTICE IMMEDIATELY BUT YOU FEEL MAKES THE ALBUM SPECIAL?
A fun fact I can share is that I listen to a lot of country music and really wanted to incorporate elements of that genre into the album. We recorded some instruments in Nashville to give the songs that country essence I love so much.
There are violins, and certain guitar and bass elements that, if you listen closely, you’ll hear woven into the songs.
YOU’VE ALSO COLLABORATED WITH GREAT SONGWRITERS. IF YOU COULD WORK WITH ANY ARTIST, COMPOSER, OR PRODUCER IN THE FUTURE, WHO WOULD IT BE?
Collaborating with Sebastián Yatra would be amazing. We have a good relationship already. Those collaborations with people you know always have a special energy.
I also love Carín León’s music, and working with him would be incredible. Rosalía too, that would be super cool. There are definitely a few artists that would make a great dream team.
I really love fusing genres. I think it makes collaborations even more exciting.
IN A WORLD WHERE MANY ARTISTS FOLLOW TRENDS, YOU TALK ABOUT CREATING YOUR OWN. HOW DO YOU STAY TRUE TO YOUR MUSICAL VISION?
What I always aim for is staying true to myself. Every time I walk into the studio with an idea, I ask myself: “What do I like? What am I listening to right now?” or “If I’m feeling this emotion, which genre helps me express it best?”
It’s more about getting to know myself, and sharing that honestly. Trends come and go. My formula is to be 100% myself and stay focused on what I’m feeling in the moment.
FOR THOSE JUST DISCOVERING YOU, WHAT CAN THEY EXPECT FROM A LIVE PERFORMANCE? WHAT EXPERIENCE OR EMOTION DO YOU HOPE TO LEAVE THE AUDIENCE WITH?
It’s a mix of emotions. There’s nostalgia, there’s dancing, there’s celebration. Throughout the show, there are moments for everyone, especially for anyone going through a tough time, I want them to disconnect and enjoy the music, free from any worries, even just for a few hours.
MUSICAL VISION FOR THE FUTURE
Tony Mils is currently finalizing details for his first tour in Mexico, with more dates and new shows on the horizon. He’s already begun writing his second album, continuing his mission of telling his story through music and heart in every verse.
Mils also has his sights set on bringing his project to stages across the U.S. and Latin America in 2026. Escribí esto para ti is just the beginning of a career full of heartfelt songs and lyrics that speak to the soul. You can now stream the full album on Spotify.
