In Enfrente, CPM 22 reflects on current issues ‘without pointing fingers’

A strong name in rock in Brazil, CPM 22 released the album this year Face (2024), the band’s eighth studio album and successor to Sweat and Sacrificereleased in 2017. With 14 new and original tracks, the album draws from the band’s own source, which will soon turn 30 years old.

In conversation with Rolling Stone Brazilthe lead singer of CPM, Badauíexplained that the idea of ​​making a new album had been around since the end of 2019. The composition process began “without rushing” and the pandemic made everything take a little longer. “Although I had thought about a lot of things, I wasn’t even in the mood to think about an album,” he reflects.

The band’s return in 2022 and 2023, with a busy schedule, did not mean that the idea of ​​the album was postponed again. “I started talking to the Lucian [Garcia] for us to start composing the album during 2022 and record in 2023.” The shows meant that the release of Enfrente only happened in 2024, but the band allowed themselves to do it calmly and the singer says that everything happened “at the right time.”

Badauí recalls the pandemic period with anguish. “Not only with the worry of how to finance myself, but also with the fear of dying,” he recalls. “Seeing a lot of people dying, young people. I said ‘f*** the debts, I want to stay alive’.”

Concern for family, for the elderly. But in a way, this contributed to this feeling that is present in the new album.

“The Year the Earth Stood Still”

One of the tracks on the album talks exactly about how this period affected the group. Although the idea for the album was born before the pandemic, it would be almost impossible not to be affected by the moment the planet is going through.

“It’s a song that talks about the pandemic, about how the government dealt with it, etc. But with a positive chorus,” he explains. “Because this song was written during the pandemic to be released during the pandemic, and I ended up adapting the tense of the chorus. It was a perspective of the future and I brought it to the present. But it’s also a release, a turning of the page.”

The name of the album came from a concept that had just one word and that was strong. Badauí confesses that he didn’t think that was the right word until the album came out. The song that gives the album its name, however, is remarkable.

In “Face,” the musician reflects on how individualistic the world is and how competitions can be unfair. He talks about how there are few chances for many people. “She talks about not giving up, moving forward and about how any opportunity is a way out.”

We, as a society, find ourselves somewhat selfish. This is exactly what she talks about. It’s a very true song.

Another theme that emerges in the album in a very reflective way is the relationship we create with technology. For the singer, the album “touches on society’s wounds” with the aim of questioning why we can’t be better. “Without pointing the finger.”

To address this and other themes that we find throughout the tracks, the band chose an approach with a dose of sarcasm and revealing truths “in a polite way,” as Badauí makes a point of emphasizing.

Digital presence

Before the album’s release, the CPM released the tracks “Past Hurts”, which won a music video directed by Rodrigo Giannetto“Owner of the Truth”, “immediate relief” It is “Digital Coward.” Badauí revealed that he followed the repercussions of the previews on the internet.

“The reception was much better than I expected,” he confesses. The artist didn’t see anyone criticizing the work on social media and one of the most frequent comments is that the album evokes the same feeling as the band’s beginnings. “I’m very happy with the result. With the sound, the lyrics, with the truth that we put into this album.”

Suddenly 30

O CPM 22 is approaching the 30-year mark. With this time on the road, the band has accumulated fans from different generations and Badauí notices an interest from younger people in the group’s sound and celebrates this.

“Our audience ranges in age from 28 to 45, but I’ve seen a lot of kids enjoying it. We’re playing in Nova Friburgo now, and a kid of about 20 sent an audio message to his friends about going to the show.”

I’ve seen this, with the kids discovering us. So, it’s a really cool phase. And this audience, from 30 to 45, they’re at all the shows. It’s a really cool phase.

Although there is still no specific project structured for the 30th anniversary celebration, Badauí wants to do something to celebrate three decades of his career after the tour promoting his most recent album.

The band tries to maintain the same closeness it has always had with its fans on social media. Badauí He says that he makes a point of meeting a considerable number of admirers in the dressing room and enjoys contact with the fans. “Our audience is very united, very present.”

Fans of CPM 22 will be able to meet the band in São Paulo on July 13, when the group will perform the launch show for Enfrente at Audio. On World Rock Day, the group will present the album at the venue in São Paulo. The night will also feature a show by the guest band Armada.

CPM22 Service – ENFRENTE Album Release | Audio

Date: July 13th (Saturday)
Opening of the house: 9pm
Expected start date for shows: 10:30pm Armada / 11:30pm CPM 22
Classification: 18 years
Local: Audio
Address: 694 – Agua Branca – SP
House capacity: 3,200 pax
Disabled access: Yes
PNE Area: Yes
Place for food: Yes
Price: Between R$70 (half price for the dance floor) and R$100 (full price for the Mezzanine)
Tickets: Ticket 360
Box office opening hours Audio: Monday to Saturday (except holidays) from 10am to 5pm | Closed from 1pm to 2pm