A breezy take on the classic Brazilian Bossa Nova style, Paula Maya delivers a soothing yet sultry sound on the aptly named “Rio de Janeiro.” Tempos are rolled back to allow for a contemplative quality to emerge. True to Bossa Nova’s roots, instrumentation is sparse and highly emotionally charged. Paula’s vocals feel reminiscent of Astrid Gilberto’s work, as a glee extends throughout the album, granting true serenity. Word choice matters and her deft understanding of Portuguese further adds to the captivating nature of the work. Melodies are understated, feeling calm, like they are resting underneath the shade, escaping the hot heat surrounding them.
https://paulamaya.bandcamp.com/album/rio-de-janeiro?from=discover_page
A lovely dance opens the journey with the passionate “Rosalie,” and the physicality of the drumming helps to give it a sense of true romance. The album’s highlight is the dreamy gaze of “Vivo Sonhando.” Here, the electric guitar delicately touches the otherwise acoustic performance, and it is placed perfectly for emotional impact. Unexpected scatting introduces the bustling movement of the title track, “Rio De Janeiro,” allowing the song a sense of enormity with the piece constantly growing and evolving while retaining intimacy. “Iemanjá (Flores do Mar)” has a careful glide that helps to lend it a tropical flavor. The celebration of “Mulher” feels natural. Acoustics reverberate into the infinite with “A Beleza.” “Água Sagrada” ends the album with a final burst of energy.
Done with dignity and style, Paula Maya crafts a blissful realm with “Rio de Janeiro.”
