Nelly Furtado's music is more ''joyful'' since she became a mother.

The 'Maneater' hitmaker is more aware of her surroundings since having daughter Nevis, eight, and says she has a huge influence on her music.

She told Terra.com: ''Once you become a parent it kind of forces you to look more outside yourself and become a little more in the moment, which is kind of great because an artist's life can be one of solitude.

''I find my songs become more joyful, fun and inspired.''

Nelly added also said she is more ''in tune'' with the rest of the world, and produces more collaborations, rather than writing songs alone with her guitar.

The 33-year-old singer spoke of her move into Latin music with her last album 'Mi Plan' and how it has boosted her confidence.

She said: ''I broke into a whole other world. I really felt like Alice in Wonderland, you know, just kind of falling down the rabbit hole. I woke up in a Brand New world.

''Just creating in Spanish, recording in Spanish and performing in Spanish has given me a lot of strength as a vocalist.''

Nelly's latest album 'The Spirit Indestructible' will be released on September 18.