Finally, after nearly forty years, Brazil’s Os Mutantes are back with a new record. And somehow, after a generation of music has past, they sound as refreshing and relevant as ever.
From the onset, it’s a prog-laced psychedelic joyride of Portuguese-sung folk, dark-pop and circus melodies, ones that strip down any notion of pop for the simple pleasure of exploring every nook and cranny the genre has to offer. It’s delirious at times, take opening pomp ‘Querida Querida’ for example, and utterly nonsensical in others, take cabaret stomp ‘Baghdad Blues’ here, but in each moment the band sound genuinely excited to be back. Yet, in its excavation of all things oddball, it never loses its pop prowess, remaining easily digestible, despite being completely mad.
This set cannot come more highly recommended.
9/10
Words by Shain Shapiro
