Best Albums of 2025: Gabriel Schwartz – Folk-Bossa

This EP may have been released in the fall, but it’s perfect for this time of year. The gentleness that emanates from listening to it invites us to introspection, calm, and above all, to snuggle up in a warm blanket and let our imagination run wild. Gabriel Schwartz is becoming increasingly talked about on the Brazilian art scene in Montreal and beyond. Here, he unveils Folk-Bossa, blending North American folk and Brazilian bossa nova in three languages: Portuguese, French, and English. He is accompanied by his long-time collaborator Bianca Rocha on vocals, ukulele, and percussion, as well as Dominique Poirier on accordion and guitar, and Sacha Daoud on drums.
Based in Montreal since 2018, he has come a long way and continues to evolve in his career. You can find him at La Brassée in the Trio Choro de Quintal format, with Rodrigo Simões and Dominique Poirier, at his own concerts throughout the city and beyond, but also when he accompanies several other Brazilian artists in their respective projects. Bianca Rocha’s voice is recognizable from the very first notes. On the track “Somos todos agua,” which means “We are all water,” she begins by reciting a passage in French before Gabriel follows immediately with the Portuguese version in song form. All the tracks were produced and arranged by Gabriel, who also played guitar, classical guitar, eight-string bass, percussion, wind instruments, and vocals. Nothing less! Released on the La Prûche Libre label, this EP comes at just the right time, bringing its share of sweetness and tenderness to this brutal world.