Pique
Let's get right to it: Yes, we are and always have had a soft spot for Brazilian grooves, i.e. música popular brasileira (MPB) and Dora Morelenbaum has no doubt rekindled that fire. Hailing from Rio, a member of Latin Grammy award-winning outfit Bala Desejo and a rising star on the Brazilian scene in her own right, Dora Morelenbaum first came to our attention with her 2021-released three-tracker "Vento de Beirada" and we made sure to include "Japão" in our "Greedio x September '23" playlist last year. Now, we return to present you her stunning debut solo album, released last month on Mr Bongo. The UK imprint is also home to another musical sensation from the Brazilian new wave, being fellow Rio-based artist Ana Frango Elétrico, who just so happens to have co-produced this airy affair.
"Pique" brings us eleven tracks to lather yourself in, connecting past and present while interweaving styles and delivering a soothingly atmospheric, pensive yet equally upbeat opus to indulge in. "Touching on disco, MPB, soul, R&B and jazz, the album is enriched with an indie pop aesthetic," and overall production wizardry courtesy of the aforementioned Ana Frango Elétrico, but make no mistake, Dora Morelenbaum was "involved [...] from the ground up, from the songwriting, singing, arrangement and production to booking the studio time and sourcing the artwork designer." Transcending the generation gap, "'Pique' was an album made in motion and ended up being about just that. From the beginning, it was an album that sought to build new textures that are part of the sound landscape I envision ahead. And from these colours and textures, it builds bridges between a more traditional universe, sonically and poetically speaking, and a new perspective on songs,” Dora describes.
Quite possibly "a future Brazilian classic," this release fuses a wealth of musical heritage with a new-age quality, mesmerising harmonies and virtuosic musicality to warming effect. Led by Dora's soulfully soaring vocal prowess and overall 'feel for the game', this album is unique in the sense that it remains true to its roots from a bird's-eye view, but is inherently contemporary in its approach and sound signature when you actually delve into it. We particular enjoyed the fact that "Pique" comes full circle when the closing track "Nem te procurar" rephrases the album opener "Não Vou Te Esquecer" in a more celebratory disco hue to conclude on a high note. Parabéns!
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