𝙊𝙪𝙧’ 𝙏𝙧𝙖𝙘𝙠 𝘽𝙮 𝙏𝙧𝙖𝙘𝙠’ 𝙜𝙪𝙞𝙙𝙚 𝙨𝙝𝙚𝙙𝙨 𝙡𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩 𝙤𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙨𝙩𝙤𝙧𝙞𝙚𝙨 𝙗𝙚𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙙 𝙨𝙤𝙢𝙚 𝙤𝙛 𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙛𝙖𝙫𝙤𝙪𝙧𝙞𝙩𝙚 𝙖𝙧𝙩𝙞𝙨𝙩𝙨’ 𝙢𝙪𝙨𝙞𝙘.
We love pulling back the curtain on the stories and inspirations behind intriguing new releases. It’s always fascinating to hear the personal anecdotes, creative processes, and little-known tales that shaped each track, giving us all a deeper appreciation for the artistry that goes into crafting these musical gems.
Valentim Frateschi‘s ESTREITO, out via Seloki Records, is a strong debut offering. The record features two prominent voices from the contemporary Brazilian music scene: Nina Maia and Sophia Chablau.
Valentim cites direct influences such as Vovô Bebê, Maurício Pereira, and Ana Frango Elétrico. Sonically, he points to a blend: “I see the album as a crossroads between João Donato, Jards Macalé, and Arthur Verocai with Crumb, BADBADNOTGOOD, and Yellow Days.”
With a gorgeous fulid mix MPB, jazz, and indie, the album explores the idea of continuity and transition. As the artist himself explains, the title refers to “the strait as a place between two places.”
Love the groove and his rich vocal tones. There are a lot of great hooks, and experimention making for a fantastic debut album that offers promise for the future.
Without further ado, stream the album and read the track-by-track guide.
Estreito – The single that opens and names the album. The track approaches the listener with intimacy and delicacy, accompanied by subtle strings, choir, and light percussion, setting the tone for what is to come.
Pássaro Cinza – Builds on the playful lightness of Estreito but introduces more movement through a marked groove. Inspired by a photo Valentim took at his grandfather’s house, the track highlights the importance of images in his lyric writing. Horn lines oscillate between melodic threads and rhythmic attacks, giving breath to the repetitive base and interacting with the vocal melody. Touches of jazz and an energetic groove at the end make this one of the most radiant moments of the album.
Mau Contato (feat. Sophia Chablau) – A “dissonant love song” about heartbreak still unaccepted. Built on a slow groove and noise textures, the track’s subtle vocal interpretations add a mocking undertone.
flnd – A vignette leading into Falando Nisso, composed from samples of other tracks on the album and a bass line referencing the following song.
Falando Nisso (feat. Nina Maia) – A song about not wanting to congratulate someone on their birthday. Sparked by a reflection on life, inspired by the day Valentim received his first Covid-19 vaccine dose, it symbolises the transition from the pandemic world into reopening. With influences from João Donato and Marcos Valle, the song features a simple, groovy arrangement that lights up the second half of the album.
Corpo Colado – Described by Valentim as “progressive jazz,” this track stands apart in form from the rest of the album. It represents the peak of arrangement, layering all the instruments present throughout the record.
Colado – The final part of Corpo Colado, with a jazzy, swinging base and inspired improvisations by Antônio Neves (trombone), Eduardo Santana (trumpet), and Amanda Camargo (synthesiser).
novo espaço – The second vignette of the album, leading into Lokotário. The phrase “queria tanto um novo espaço”(“I longed so much for a new space”) ties into the album’s concept, marking the exit from the “strait.” Influenced by Marcos Valle’s The Remixes Album Vol. 1.
Lokotário – Transforms the feeling of confinement into something playful and danceable. With a swinging groove and brass attacks, it closes the album on a joyful note.
