Even though it’s rooted in the simplicity of folk music, you’ll discover diverse elements on the new album from São Paulo artist Marcelo Perdido. His unpretentious songs are accompanied by honest lyrics and thoughtful observations scattered throughout “Lenhador”.
♪♫ Listen: “Lenhador” + album stream
Marcelo Perdido on www, Soundcloud, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube.
The second album from JuveNil Silva was inspired by James Joyce’s book “Ulysses”, which chronicles the life of an ordinary man within the span of a single day. Very powerful music symbolizing the chaos of everyday life.
♪♫ Listen: “Karma no Lixo” + album stream
JuveNil Silva on Soundcloud, Facebook, YouTube.
Pop, folk, precise melodies and intelligent lyrics are the recipe for the sound of São Paulo trio Lestics. Their sixth album features just six songs, but they are a good summary of the band’s work to date and the consistency they’ve been showing in their career.
♪♫ Listen: “O lado de lá” + album stream
Lestics on www, Soundcloud, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube.
Seductive and exciting songs make up “Limbo”, a record that goes deep into human feelings. Every chord and every word on this album seems to be in the very right place.
♪♫ Listen: “Ortopedia” + album stream
Rua on www, Soundcloud, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube.
Freedom is the word that sums up Anelis Assumpção’s second album. Maybe it’s the reggae/ska atmosphere that makes Anelis’ songs so relaxing that they make you feel like you are flying – and who knows, maybe you actually are.
♪♫ Listen: “Song to Rosa” + album stream
Anelis Assumpção on www, Soundcloud, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube.
Fifth album from Mombojó is different from the group’s previous, more pop-oriented efforts. Bold, inventive and risky, “Alexandre” is a good experimental record and the best introduction to the Pernambuco band’s catalogue.
♪♫ Listen: “Summer Long” + album stream
Mombojó on www, Facebook, Twitter, Soundcloud, YouTube and beehype.
Belo Horizonte quintet Constantina is one of the best instrumental rock bands in Brazil. Four scenic songs making up their new album, “Pelicano”, account for more than 45 minutes and will be a great soundtrack for contemplation or travelling, both in mind and in real.
♪♫ Listen: “Pelicano” + album stream
Constantina on www, Facebook, Twitter, Bandcamp, Soundcloud, YouTube.
The sound of São Paulo singer-songwriter Camila Garófalo’s debut album fits somewhere between the straight rock (with her striking grooves) and psychedelia (with the shaky guitars). While you’re undecided, Camila’s distinctive voice will draw your attention with her poetic, at times philosophical lyrics.
♪♫ Listen: “O santo” + album stream
Camila Garófalo on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Soundcloud, YouTube.
The first album from Natal-based Far From Alaska shows that the band is meant to become a great rock band – and rather sooner than later. With their powerful, direct and universal rock’n’roll they’ll feel themselves at home at the world’s biggest stages.
♪♫ Listen: “Politiks” + album stream
Far From Alaska on www, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, Soundcloud.
Mixing the atmosphere of urban life in São Paulo (where Natália Matos lived) with the regional music of the city of Belém (where Natália Matos was born), her eponymous album is a meeting of two opposites – resulting in a collection of beautiful, tender songs.
♪♫ Listen: “Beber você” + album stream
Natália Matos on www, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, Soundcloud.
Cadu Tenório is a restless experimentator. “Banquete” is his collaboration with lyricist Márcio Bulk, also featuring such artists as Alice Caymmi, Bruno Cosentino, César Lacerda, Lívia Nestrovski and Michele Leal. A unique, deeply moving record.
♪♫ Listen: “Em transe” + album stream
Cadu Tenório on Facebook, Bandcamp. Márcio Bulk on Soundcloud, Youtube.
One of the biggest surprises of 2014, the eponymous from Carn Doce is an impressive mix of countless styles and musical ideas – all of them combined in a perfect harmony. It immediately gives a unique identity to the new band on the Brazilian scene.
♪♫ Listen: “Passivo” + album stream
Carne Doce on www, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Soundcloud, YouTube.
Serious, dense and reflective – these words sum up “Cancioneiro”, the fourth album from singer-songwriter Giancarlo Rufatto. He has had a very interesting career within the lo-fi scene, always mixing miscellaneous pop culture references both in his music and lyrics.
♪♫ Listen: “Cancioneiro” + album stream
Giancarlo Rufatto on Tumblr, Twitter, Facebook, Soundcloud.
On “Causa mor”, Belo Horizonte rapper Douglas Din presents critical chronicle of urban life. Accompanied by groovy beats and funky guitars it is as powerful as accessible rap record for anyone to enjoy.
♪♫ Listen: “Amoravila” + album stream
Mixing regional influences from Brazil to Africa, “Quente” is a an exciting mixture of music to dance, smile and be happy without ever getting too loud too get you tired.
♪♫ Listen: “Flores pelo ar” + album stream
Saulo Duarte e a Unidade on www, Facebook, YouTube, Soundcloud.
Global pop is what defines “Sobre noites e dias”, the sixth album from Salvador-based singer-songwriter Lucas Santtana. It’s pop music of the highest quality and aesthetic complexity that puts the artist next to the best composers of Brazilian music today.
♪♫ Listen: “Partículas de amor” + album stream
“Rainha dos raios” is a striking collection of cover versions, which sound as if they were created with the powerful and outstanding voice of Alice Caymmi in mind.
♪♫ Listen: “Como vês” + album stream
Alice Caymmi on www, Facebook, Instagram, Soundcloud.
“Azul” is practically a big chronicle of Belo Horizonte, the city of rapper Kdu dos Anjos. Breathing the city air on all its different levels, it’s a cozy record not attached exclusively to the rap universe.
♪♫ Listen: “Ficar junto” + album stream
Kdu dos Anjos on www, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Soundcloud.
Blending rock, indie music, folk and regional references, “Crucificados pelo sistema bruto” might be the most joyful albums released in 2014. Though at times this double-disc record can get pretty serious, like in the epic 9-minute song “Meu peito é um caminhão desgovernado”.
♪♫ Listen: “Meu peito é um caminhão…” + album download
Charme Chulo on www, Facebook, Soundcloud.
“Leve” is one of the most beautiful albums released in Brazil last year. A record with honest, personal songs, and absolutely addictive melodies, it should get into every sensitive heart.
♪♫ Listen: “Tão pra lá” + album stream
Jéf on www, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Soundcloud.
While on their debut album São Paulo-based band O Terno introduced themselves with intelligent and noisy rock, on their second, self-titled effort they get even denser. And even more critical and ironic about urban life and the Brazilian culture at the beginning of 21st century.
♪♫ Listen: “O Cinza” + album stream
O Terno on www, Facebook, Twitter, Soundcloud, YouTube.
Normal artists do not throw out double discs in the 21st century. But Lupe de Lupe are not a normal band. They know what they want from their music – to go beyond their possibilities, experimenting with sounds and words. And on “Quarup” they succeed.
♪♫ Listen: “Eu já venci” + album stream
ruído/mm is one of the best instrumental music groups in the world. Seriously. Inspiration is the word that best defines the band, which maintains high quality on all their records. And it’s no different in the case of the latest one, “Rasura”.
♪♫ Listen: “Bandon” + album stream
ruído/mm on www, Facebook, Twitter, Bandcamp, Soundcloud.
With its infectious melodies, compelling lyrics and a coastline atmosphere Silva’s second album is a great gift for ears. If his 2012 debut album “Claridão” was an intimate and melancholy record, “Vista Pro Mar” (“Sea View”) expands his horizons to the sunnier side of life.
♪♫ Listen: “Vista pro mar” + album stream
With his first solo album, the singer known from BaianaSystem and Bemba Trio introduces himself in a dense and harmonious way. On “Paraíso da miragem”, you will hear rap, samba, dub, rock – all at the same time.
♪♫ Listen: “Paraquedas” + download album
Russo Passapusso on www, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Soundcloud, YouTube and beehype.
Juçara Marçal has a musical career spanning over 20 years, but only 2014 brought her first solo album. But it was worth the wait. “Encarnado” is a visceral, raw record that might hurt your ears but heal your heart. Superb debut promising a bright future for the singer.
♪♫ Listen: “Velho amarelo” + download album
Juçara Marçal on www, Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and beehype.
Criolo’s third album sees him even more mature and his diverse musical references – hip-hop, samba, reggae, rock – even more united than on his previous effort, “Nó na orelha.” It results in a collection of extremely powerful songs accompanied by lyrics filled with sharp criticism.
♪♫ Listen: “Cartão de visita” + download album
Criolo on www, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Soundcloud, YouTube and beehype.
The full-length debut of the Recife-based band Tagore combines rock, baião, pop, experiments and references to psychedelic music. This results in a unique album with regional and global sound at same time, and similarly universal appeal.
♪♫ Listen: “Movido a vapor” + album stream
Tagore on Soundcloud, Facebook.
Romulo Fróes seems to have it in his DNA: the desire to continuously search for new sounds and keep going ahead with his music. “Barulho feio” is a deconstruction of the traditional way of writing songs. At first, it may seem difficult, but eventually you will fall in love with this beautiful album, and the feeling will last.
♪♫ Listen: “Barulho feio” + download album
Romulo Fróes on www, Twitter, Facebook, Soundcloud and beehype.