Phylipe Nunes Araújo

With his debut album, the singer-songwriter from Pernambuco adds his own poetic, melodic music to that of similar artists from Brazil’s north-east, who collectively seem to be revamping bossa nova for this century. Like Bruno Berle and Batata Boy, who together produced the album, and like Nyron Higor who drums imperceptibly on the exquisite single, ‘Asã’, Araújo creates songs such as the two-minute baião-infused ‘Bixin’ that are as ephemeral as a dream. With nothing but a nylon-stringed acoustic guitar, a subliminal bass and the softest percussion, it’s music with the hallmark delicacy of artists like Sessa and Tiganá Santana. On ‘Vim Do Norte’, Araújo simply ‘la-la-las’ while strumming his guitar; on the following ‘Valise’, he adds Bruno Berle’s voice; and on ‘Temperim’, he duets with Alici. Only the insistent ‘Santa Cruz’, a portrait of his hometown, could conceivably be called up-tempo. These 10 short, sweet numbers could soothe the most troubled soul.