XIV – A Integração

XIV – A Integração is a wonderfully untidy, uneven pile of ideas, mysticism and sacred touchstones, electro-acoustics and real sound, interlaced by new Portuguese artist Meta_'s shape-shifting vocals and harmonies, her version of deconstructed fado. Maybe she's reminiscent of early albums by French exploratory singer Camille. But a quick scan of her CV reveals her off-the-wall dynamism: Meta_ (Mariana Bragada) ‘connect[ed]’ with the Ayahuasca medicine plant in Pucallpa, Peru, where she hung with ‘Maestros and Maestras’ from the Shipibo tribe; this was followed by two weeks of Live Sound Design performances for UmColetivo in Belo Horizonte and Montevideo. I’m not making this up… and I doubt she is.

Her work ranges from the dramatic pop of ‘Fuego Sagrado’ (Holy Fire), all high-end production, with mysterious video and haunting vocals in Portuguese, Spanish and English, to the lo-fi passionate folk of ‘Sangue da Mulher’ (Woman's Blood) with its choral harmonies and heartbeat rhythm. Also noteworthy is ‘Quarto Escuro’ (Dark Room), which reaches out as a confessional with spectral backing singers, minimal orchestration and a Greek chorus of children's voices, which emerge throughout the album.

Exploring her mysterious work, elastic production and inspiring vocals, one can't help but be intrigued as to how her musical future will pan out.