Sinuose

Sinuose is the debut album of singer-songwriter Luli Braga. Born in Manaus, capital of the state of Amazonas, Brazil, her musical growth has been influenced by both rural and metropolitan contexts. This is clearly seen in this impressive album, which includes sounds sourced from Brazilian folkloric music and MPB, as well as the underground electronic music scene. Joined by nine other female vocalists, Flaira Ferro, Tiê, Dandara Manoela, Ju Strassacapa, Larissa Conforto, Anne Jezini, Iana Moral, Gabriella Dias and Ianeza Wanzeler, the collection of tracks marks not only a thorough exploration of her songs, but also a huge achievement. The album was recorded and released during the pandemic (Brazil being one of the worst affected nations) with the support of the federal law Aldir Blanc, which supports cultural workers affected by COVID-19. Readers can also show their support by buying music through platforms like Bandcamp rather than streaming. A couple of the tunes might be a bit poppy, but I like that various singers are featured throughout the album, perhaps most effective on ‘Rio Abaixo Do Rio’. The simple melodies paired with pensive, echoing horn or cello melodies, acoustic guitar refrains and snare-slap backbeats make for an interesting mix.