Coisa Nossa premieres with a mix of differences and rescue of Brazilian music

Fruit of the encounter between João Mantuano and RAYA — artistic name of Paula Raia —, the duo Our Thing released this Friday (December 6th) his debut work, published by the Toca Discos label.

The album of the same name brings a mix of meanings, reflecting the intimacy and exchange between the two artists, but also the diversity and immensity of Brazil.

Our Thing carries precisely, as meaning, this mixture. We set out to do research on Brazilian popular music, based on the artists that have crossed us and have crossed paths over time. Gilberto Gil, Caetano Veloso, Elomar, Macalé Gardens, Roberto Carlos, Gal Costa, Mutants, New Bahians…

What is MPB, if not the mixture itself? This is the culture of our people and this is what forms a highly rich and deep identity. The idea is precisely to bring and play with this characteristic in our creation and musical production. We feel that with time, with globalization, with standardization in the ways of producing, we can increasingly distance ourselves from this great richness of our music. Then Our Thing proposes this rescue, this linguistic and artistic preservation, in addition to seeking to act with the poetic depth that the period under analysis has”, commented the duo in an interview with Rolling Stone Brazil.

The harmony between John and RAYA flourished in the first meeting, in 2022. The contact was stimulated by Felipe Rodartewho produced the album alongside Constance Scofield and Álvaro Alencar.

Despite expectations that the result would be positive, the duo defines the outcome as a surprise.

John came from a partnership with Chico Chicowith whom he released an album in 2021. Praised by critics, the album even had one of its songs nominated for a Latin Grammy. RAYA had been composing original soundtracks for dance shows — in one of them, his songs were given the voice of Ney Matogrosso. Furthermore, his first album, I’mwon the platforms in 2022, with the participation of Julia Master — and of Juliana Linhares at the launch show.

The producers Philip and Constance were the first to hear the initial wave of songs from Our Thing and identify that there was an album there and, more than that, a duo, who with their different similarities built a solid identity.

I don’t think anyone imagined it would work out so well, to the point where we’ve already written around 40 songs together in the last two years. When we showed them the songs we had written at the time, at the beginning of last year, they had the sensitivity to notice that what we had there weren’t just loose songs. There was a construction of a duo, an elaborate concept (although not defined until then) and an album practically ready. I think they realized this before us, in fact. We were just enjoying our meeting, the compositions we were making together. But we didn’t have any great aspirations. They were the godparents of our meeting.”

The circle grew with the input of the sound engineer Álvaro Alencarthird element of production. He helped materialize the album’s sound, at once intimate and expansive, minimalist and exuberant.

Finally, Our Thing laid its foundations in yet another meeting, this time with Renato Ciprianobrought at the suggestion of Alvaro. Responsible for the acoustic design of several large studios, including Toca do Bandido, Cyprian thinks about music encompassing its healing power — based on the understanding of frequencies that have less or more healthy effects on us.

Our Thing

The album Our Thing It features 11 tracks and a mix of rhythms that includes folk, samba, bossa, afoxé and rock. The album was naturally conceived as a breather amidst the frenetic pace of the world: from composition to sound engineering, from arrangements to regimented musicians (André Vasconcelos, Marco Vasconcelos, Marcos Suzano, Sergio Chiavazzolli and Renato Cipriano), including lyrics full of references to nature.

A technical curiosity of the production is the fact that all instruments were tuned to 432 Hz, a frequency that, studies argue, acts more in harmony with nature, the body and the human mind, as opposed to the 440 Hz adopted as a universal standard. .

We did a survey with the Renato Ciprianoone of the world’s leading experts in the study and creation of acoustic spaces. Music producer, sound engineer, researcher and scholar in the areas of psychology, neuroscience and spirituality and the impact of frequencies on the human body and mind. We went to Belo Horizonte to his studio to listen to his theories about music therapy and how we could apply it to some part of the project or retain it as inspiration.

There is a study that seeks to understand how frequencies act on the water surface and how fractals and geometric shapes form in different harmonies. Through this observation and other theories, it was understood that the frequency of 432 Hz causes a harmonic symmetry common to body molecules and several other organic structures, as a similar resonance, bringing us closer to a natural and global vibration. As for 440 Hz, they do not form any figures. They form chaotic designs without a recognizable format.

Both vibrations have effects on our body. From this visit we decided to differentiate our album as an experience to feel this vibration, with the intention of promoting more serenity, peace, sensitivity. To open your listening”, they explain.

“Our Thing”the title song, opens the album by exposing these contemplative intentions and the manifest desire for Brazilianness. The universe of New Bahians of “I ended up crying”post-João Gilbertowith a combination of mandolin and Bahian guitar. The choir that unites the voices of Luciane Dom to the trio Brazilian Soul (Gê Vieira, José Junior and Negra Silva) heats up the recording even more.

The second track, “Different Similarities”carries a “feeling Roberto Carlos”, as defined Johnas well as a solitary but luminous contemplation. One of the first songs written by the duo, the song also symbolizes the closeness between the artists and how they mix their particularities to find their convergences:

I think in music, we have a lot of similarities. We both grew up within a rock n’roll scene, as teenagers, although MPB has also had a strong presence in both of our lives since forever. We also have a very strong presence of folk in our solos. Not surprisingly, we can find these three genres present in Our Thingwith MPB, popular roots music, being the center of everything and what motivated us to develop the duo. It has some references such as Spanish and Cuban music, jazz, which are more particular to each of us.

I think that on our soils, our differences can be seen better. While one works in a more somber place, the other works in a more solar and contemplative place. This also has to do with our personalities, in general. We have a mix of sun and moon that is very interesting and complementary. We believe that beauty lies in this. In finding similarities and absorbing differences through generous listening.”

Sung by John alone, “Afterglow” it sounds like American folk, but with a tambourine with feet planted on Brazilian soil. At the same time, it expands its territory with the derbak, an Arab drum.

Next, it’s time to RAYA sing alone “Nightingale”. Side by side, they sound like continuity, sister songs, which rhyme in their titles and share a universe of rivers and skies.

“Uptown” it was made with Santa Teresa in mind, the Rio that can be seen from there. At one point, his mandolin carries a fado melancholy. At the same time, she is permeated with a quiet joy.

“Free love”composed only of RAYAis a carnival march with a ska twist, celebrating the freedom to love at the party. It is punctuated by a Bahian guitar that makes you think of the sound of Many Carnivalsalbum by Caetano Veloso.

“Dark forest” also talks about freedom, but in a broader context. “Maybe it’s the song that brings the most hope,” he says RAYA. “It’s a female lap. A feeling of pure truth”, defines John.

Delicate like your title, “White Petal” is signed only by the composer. In less than two minutes, he draws with simple fingering the fragility of love.

“Here I remain” is an affirmation of resistance, constructed as a response to “I’m leaving”song by Paulo Diniz re-recorded by Zé Ibarra in 2023. The “here” referred to in the lyrics is Latin America.

Finally, “If you’re going to sing for love”partnership of John with Sal Pessoais a mantra that ties the soul together that sustains the album.

With the release of our album, we just have to thank everyone who works with us and accompanies us. Our families, friends, fans and work partners. We hope the album reaches people in some way. May we be able to provide a breather, in times of so much acceleration and the crossing of information. We’re just getting started with these new ideas. Come with us!”