Nelly Furtado says singing in Spanish is "liberating".

The 'Maneater' singer - who was born in Canada to Portuguese parents - is set to release 'Mi Plan', her first album in the language.

Nelly admits she found it easier to get close to her emotions in a different language.

She said: "I think this album has some of my first true love songs ever. They're not complicated. They're not over-intellectualised, and I found it liberating to be able to sing in the Latin language and to express myself from my Latin soul."

The 'Promiscuous' star made the decision to record in Spanish after touring her 2006 smash hit album 'Loose' left her creatively exhausted.

She explained: "I was physically tired and I wasn't feeling inspired. It was almost as if I lost my pop inspiration to write in English. I just needed a new outlet, and I found it by writing in Spanish."

The album, set for release in September, features a range of guest artists, including collaborations with Mexican singers Alejandro Fernandez and Julieta Venegas and Latin hip-hop singer La Mala Rodriguez.

However, Nelly revealed working with classical star Josh Groban on 'Silencio' was a "huge blessing".

She added: "I thought it was important to showcase on this album an artist that people know more for their English recordings. So, I thought by working with Josh would actually elevate my point that language isn't a barrier when it comes to music."