Known by many primarily for samba and the delightful melodic qualities of the Portuguese language, the depths of Brazilian artistry and culture are profound. This is perhaps one of the reasons why Sly5thAve brought in the Brazilian Grammy-nominated artist Thalma de Freitas for his latest single “Expatria.” The new track is the latest preview of the Brooklyn-based multi-instrumentalist’s forthcoming LP What Is Is, which is set for release on September 18 via Tru Thoughts.
Written and performed by de Freitas with production from Sly5thAve, “Expatria” exudes an eerie beauty that will entertain all listeners, regardless of their proficiency in Portuguese. With her stunning, dexterous vocal delivery, de Freitas’ words center around the Portuguese and Galician term “saudade,” which Sly5thAve describes as a “melancholic nostalgia.” De Freitas delivers a palpable sense of longing for what her homeland once was, mixed with contempt for what it has become in her vocal expression that is tastefully reflected in Sly5thAve’s patiently pulsing and emotive production. Coming from two countries experiencing tumultuous current events, “Expatria” offers a welcome collaboration between two artists who are more than capable of shedding light on societal adversity.
“Expatria” is available to stream or download here.
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