An elegant tapestry of samba and MPB, CATATAU is the new album from Brazilian singer-songwriter Ítallo. Produced alongside Paulo Novaes, the record fuses minimalist piano, breezy guitar strums, and rich vocal collaborations to transform ordinary scenes of contemporary Brazilian life into beautiful moments of musical resistance, touching on everything from day-in-the-life tranquility to political strife.
Opener “da barriga” struts a spacious, minimalist form initially. A smooth vocal presence appears isolated, bolstered by lovely, jazzy piano adornments as outside ambience lingers. The ensuing “janeiro” is more immediate in its breezy guitar infusions and dual-vocal entrancement, concluding with magnetic synth dreaminess alongside wordless vocal harmonizing. Another lovely production shows on “tire uma hora pra lembrar de mim,” where twinkling lullaby-friendly keys move into caressing acoustics and subdued vocals, soft and hypnotic in its ethereal atmospheric craftwork.
“drive my car (pra marina)” delights as well, soothing with affecting woodwinds and evolving piano work. The free-flowing piano and jazzy percussive flair make for another intoxicating soundscape. Marina Nemesio’s vocal presence is a riveting addition, both as a standalone element and then driving into a beautiful duet. The “muito que há / todo em teu ser” spine-tingling emergence is particularly enthralling, moving then into midpoint piano dynamics and tender subsequent guitars. CATATAU is a blissfully melodic triumph of an album from Ítallo.
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We discovered this release via MusoSoup.
