Released towards the end of last year, ‘AZULA’, the latest single from Brazillian producer EVEHIVE is a clattery, afrobeat gem. With contributions from JLZ, the frenetic track captures a hypnotic vibe with its punctuated electronics that follows up previously released singles like ‘IVY QUEEN’ and ‘BANLA’.

One of the most talked about bands to appear on Brazil’s indie rock scene, Carne Doce hail from Goiás, a state traditionally famous for country musical acts but that has been breathing new life into the indie rock landscape in recent years with the emergence of bands like Boogarin. Carne Doce were founded 5 years ago by the couple Salma Jô (singer) and Macloys Aquino (guitar), creating an outlet where they could talk about their love and relationship in a frank and straightforward way with a refreshingly naturalistic perspective on sex, love and other drugs. The single ‘Amor Distrai (Durin)’, from the band’s newly released third album ‘Tônus’, is a perfect example of a passionate night between two lovers; a smooth, steady tune with honest lyrics that go straight to the point of the singer’s desires and wishes.

Jojo Maronttinni scored a huge hit last summer with ‘Que tiro foi esse?’, a song with such an infectious chorus that it became a meme, spawning countless parodies and even appearing in some adverts. After this viral success, expectations were high for the singer’s follow up. And Jojo just released ‘Arrasou, Viado’, another pop-funk effort with a memorable hook, with the song’s title referring to LGBTQ congratulatory slang. Since it’s release, the track became an automatic hit and has divided opinions all over the internet. Some have said the artist was exploiting ‘pink money’ to boost her career, while others have praised Maronttinni’s courage to make a mainstream song with a visuals full of celebrities and personalities related to both pop culture and the LGBTQ community. In spite of the controversy, this song is another sure hit from a singer who’s fast becoming one of the biggest names in Brazil’s mainstream pop-funk scene.

Celebrating 10 years deep into her music career, Bárbara Eugenia’s fourth album is imminent. Over the last decade the Rio de Janeiro-born singer has explored several musical styles, although always retained a consistent Tropicalia flavor throughout. With such local, nostalgic energy so well established in her music, the artist decided to join forces with Felipe Cordeiro, one of the most prominent names within the new wave of Guitarrada, the genre from the northern state of Pará where guitars and percussion combine to make a sound resembling a mix of Afro-Caribbean Calypso infused with a tropical flavour unique to Brazil’s north. Together the pair created ‘Confusão’, an irresistible tune that invites the listener a hot summer’s night of dirty dancing.

Nego do Borel is a Brazilian funk hit-maker and entertainment prodigy. Born Leno Maycon Viana Gomes in Rio de Janeiro, he adopted his the name of his community, Morro do Borel – a favela home to more than 20.000 inhabitants. He started to gain recognition in 2012, when his track ‘Os caras do momento’ became a hit – the MC then went on to appear in some of Brazil’s most famous soap operas, often in cameos portraying himself. After consolidating on his celebrity status, Nego do Borel started to release a series of singles, collaborated with some of Brazil and Latin America’s most famous singers such as Anitta, Wesley Safadão and Maluma. With his latest single ‘Me Solta’, Borel decided to take on a funk 150bpm rhythm, a high-octane, faster and more aggressive version of the regular funk carioca, enlisting the help of DJ Rennan da Penha, one of the pioneers of this growing sub-genre. The 150bpm style is already taking the underground by storm in funk parties all across the country, but this track could well provide the bridge that enables it to filter into the mainstream.

Maria Beraldo only recently released her first album, but she’s by no means a rookie in Brazilian’s music scene. A renowned clarinetist who has already played alongside significant avant-garde and música popular brasileira (MPB) artists such as Elza Soares and Arrigo Barnabé, on her debut album ‘Cavala’ she crafts an in-depth study of what it means to be lesbian in a country and society where the dominant macho culture is such an undermining force for minorities. The song ‘Amor Verdade’ (Love True) is a moving confession of the artist’s sexual orientation to her parents, with the power of the lyrics emphasised by the minimalistic psychedelic style, encouraging the listener to focus on what the artist has to say.

Though perhaps better known in Brazil as a producer and composer for new MPB indie artists such as Céu and Lucas Santtana, Gui Amabis is no newcomer to the microphone himself. His latest album, ‘Miopia’, is the fourth in a series which began back in 2011 with ‘Memórias Luso-Africanas’, followed by 2012’s ‘Trabalhos Carnívoros’ and ‘Ruivo em Sangue’ in 2015. ‘Contravento’ is actually a song that was originally recorded by Céu on her album ‘Caravana Sereia Bloom’, but here Amabis crafts a new version that completely reworks the genre and mood of the song: where before there were notes of tropical cumbia, Amabis spins a smooth, melancholic take, adding a philosophical and reflective depth to the lyrics. Amabis handles vocal duties, enlisting instrumental assistance from a band of four; Dustan Gallas (electric guitar), Regis Damasceno (bass), Samuel Fraga (drums) and Richard Ribeiro (vibraphone).