Country : Brazil Label : Six Degrees Genres and styles : Alternative Rock / Brazilectro / Indie Pop / Música Popular Brasileira Year : 2020

APKÀ!

· by Ralph Boncy

“APKÀ!” is the war cry of little Antonio, most recent child of singer Céu and her drummer Pupillo, two names that have finally become references in the musical and artistic world of the South American megalopolis of São Paulo. One can imagine the intense nightlife of this vibrant city whose population in 2020 exceeded 22 million souls, and where, consequently, it’s not so easy to break through.

Outside Brazil, on the other hand, everything has worked like clockwork. Like a comet rising from the underground, Céu’s debut album, released on the independent San Francisco hybrid label Six Degrees in 2006, benefited from one of those rare word-of-mouth episodes dreamt of by all the artists on our small planet. In Canada, the reaction has been almost exclusively in Quebec, but so favourable that the eponymous album sold over 10,000 copies in just a few months. And this, long before Céu officially became a critical darling in her tropical country and a regular at the Latin Grammys. Céu’s second album, the sublime Vagarosa, was nominated for a number of prestigious awards and her third, Caravana Sereia Bloom, took awards home, and took a sharp turn in terms of sound with a bias towards offbeat, psychedelic, and surrealist pop.

More and more, Céu, at the age of 40, masters her subject. She writes the lyrics and music, and the more she gets involved, the more we feel she is in full control of her voice, her aesthetics, oscillating between kitsch, post-modern sounds, and futuristic melancholy. Vintage keyboard sounds that might suit Super Mario, as well as the art deco decors and accoutrements of the strange and phantasmagorical new videos, it’s all there.

The beginning goes very smoothly with an electronic rhythm in echo and distortion. Then come the catchy pop and mechanical choruses of “Coreto”, “Forçar O Verao” and “Corpocontinente”, and the funky guitar of “Fênix do Amor”. Two tracks in English only, with a slight dizzyness. All in all, a logical sequel to Tropix, the beautiful Brazilian’s fourth solo album.

Mom’s music is an intimate mix of various moods, but Antonio, one year old, continues to yell APKÀ! to express his joy, his approval, his bliss.

Latest 360 Content

Shaina Hayes and her Kindergarten Heart

Shaina Hayes and her Kindergarten Heart

David Binney – In The Arms Of Light

David Binney – In The Arms Of Light

Chauffeur et Parlak – “The Napoli Run”

Chauffeur et Parlak – “The Napoli Run”

Arlo Parks’ infectious, festive melancholy at the Beanfield.

Arlo Parks’ infectious, festive melancholy at the Beanfield.

Charles Lloyd – The Sky Will Still Be There Tomorrow

Charles Lloyd – The Sky Will Still Be There Tomorrow

Montreal Anti-Jazz Police Festival at URSA – Day 1

Montreal Anti-Jazz Police Festival at URSA – Day 1

Piano Symphonique | Julia Mirzoev, Braden McConnell & Antoine Rivard-Landry

Piano Symphonique | Julia Mirzoev, Braden McConnell & Antoine Rivard-Landry

Single of the Day: Magick Brother & Mystic Sister “The Hierophant”

Single of the Day: Magick Brother & Mystic Sister “The Hierophant”

The Bolokos – feat. Fanswa Ladrezeau – Kouté Pou Tann

The Bolokos – feat. Fanswa Ladrezeau – Kouté Pou Tann

Real Farmer – Compare What’s There

Real Farmer – Compare What’s There

Simon Leoza – ACTE III

Simon Leoza – ACTE III

Opera McGill Presents Semele: An Ambitious Evening with the Gods

Opera McGill Presents Semele: An Ambitious Evening with the Gods

In Pursuit Of Repetitive Beats Experience Strives for Human Connection through VR

In Pursuit Of Repetitive Beats Experience Strives for Human Connection through VR

Daymé Arocena – Alkemi

Daymé Arocena – Alkemi

Extra Time – Where Is The Light

Extra Time – Where Is The Light

Martha Wainwright about her new jazz festival

Martha Wainwright about her new jazz festival

Félix Dubé Trio – Impermanence

Félix Dubé Trio – Impermanence

Thomas Dybdahl – Teenage Astronauts

Thomas Dybdahl – Teenage Astronauts

Buzhold – What It Meant?

Buzhold – What It Meant?

Yoo Doo Right – The Sacred Fuck EP

Yoo Doo Right – The Sacred Fuck EP

Residente – Las Letras Ya No Importan

Residente – Las Letras Ya No Importan

Semaine du Neuf | The Power of the Organ and the Wind

Semaine du Neuf | The Power of the Organ and the Wind

Subscribe to our newsletter