Catch up on the latest releases from artists around the world – in collaboration with Musosoup.
Brazilian producer, beatmaker, multi-instrumentalist and composer Rico Manzano has shared the new video for his EP focus track “El Pueblo”. Combining music, photography and dance, the video is directed by Joaquim Tomé and follows the story and interpretation of ballet dancer Felipe Silva.
Felipe tells his story and the difficulties of being a black and gay dancer in Brazil. Exploring his life brings a choreography that unites classic ballet with contemporary dance. The script was created by Rico Manzano and Pri Morêra, choregography by Felipe Silva and Joaquim Tomé, photography direction by Lazaro and Bruno Ricows (Coleta Filmes), with executive production by Carolina Castellan. The video was recorded in Vila Itororó, a public and cultural space run by the Municipal Department of Culture of São Paulo.
Referncing hip hop, R&B, traditional music, jazz and electronic music, Manzano creates a lo-fi sound filled with the Brazilian rhythm inherent to his experience. The artist intends to foster a new style and a new scene of instrumental music in Brazil, taking lo-fi beyond moments of introspection or relaxation.
Athens-based trio Sworr. are known for exploring the paths of electronica and beyond. The name was originally used by John Tsallas to release his personal recordings as a producer but later evolved into a music collective with the addition of Robin K. and Thanasis Q. In March 2018, they released their debut album SWORR, selling out in less than one month.
The band’s debut album explores the darker realms of downcast electronica. Spoken words floating on ether uncover the truth of a bleeding youth that persists, against a world domineered by a twisted perception of one’s self. Transforming hardship into beats and words, beyond sterile grooves, Sworr. set emotion into motion.
“Down to L” is the second single taken from Sworr.’s upcoming album. It’s a melancholic and downtempo electronic / honest alt pop song with dominant trip hop elements. Starting with a dull, catchy piano progression with lazy vocals on self-judgmental lyrics, “Down To L” finds its way to a massive second part full of synths and dancing vibes, lyrically leading to the acceptance, of oneself and to each other. Sworr’s upcoming album is due for release via United We Fly.
Up and coming New York-based duo Bad Bloom continue to impress with the release of their latest single, ‘Automatic’. The emotional, fierce, yet dreamy tune is released after the band’s strong debut in 2019, bringing a fresh spirit to the shoegaze/post punk/indie rock genre.
Infusing catchy riffs and whimsical vocal melodies with layers of fuzz, ‘Automatic’ is an honest reflection of being human, our monotonous routines, and the brief moments of joy that keep us going. The band explain “It’s so easy to get stuck in habits and forget why we’re here on Earth… what our purpose is, this song captures how quickly life can pass and how we sometimes only live for the future, and not in the moment.’
Taking influence from shoegaze and dreampop legends Ride, DIIV, My Bloody Valentine and mixing in references from post-punk acts including The Cure, Rainer Maria, and Jenny Lewis, Bad Bloom are carving a name for themselves as they prepare for the release of more new music and an East-Coast US tour in 2022.
Cat Valley is an indie-rock band from the Pacific Northwest US originally started by two best friends, Whitney Flinn and Abby Hegge. Feral is Cat Valley’s second release recorded in Whitney and Abby’s living room and mixed and mastered during the pandemic.
While “Feral” tackles similar topics to Cat Valley’s previous EP, a new intention and depth is present across the record which highlights the band’s progression. Feral takes the listener on a ride that pulses with anger and frustration at times, on the track “Dive Bar Fight Song” and then croons lovingly on Cat Valley’s softer side with “Patches”. Throughout the EP you can hear feelings of 90’s alternative rock nostalgia, most heavily on the track “Last Year”, that tells the story of Cat Valley’s first tour. Fueled by feelings of being left out, looked down on, and talked down to in music scenes. These are songs that are meant to be sung or screamed along to in your car; songs for anyone who has ever felt left out.
