O Céu É Velho Há Muito Tempo

Starting of with a ringing guitar chord that seems to signal dread, the latest from Brazil's Lucas Santtana is inextricably linked to the state of Brazil right now and the people living within it. On previous albums, Santtana has played with form, ranging from dub and pop to the found-sound experiments of last album Modo Avião, but here he opts for his simplest set-up yet: just voice and guitar.

These are serious times, society is struggling, and things need to be said and understood. ‘Who wants to take a stand? Get up then,’ he begins on the opening track, ‘Portal de Ativação’. The theme continues; on ‘Brasil Patriota’ he writes an alternative national anthem, with echoes of João Gilberto, asking nature to fight back against the government. Always the emphasis is on respect and understanding among his countrymen, with the album's seemingly simple love songs also offering subtle observations. Yet, with all the emphasis on Santtana's voice and solemn arrangements, the lack of musical versatility makes O Céu É Velho Há Muito Tempo a tough listen at times.