Brazilian singer-songwriter Johnny Monster releases his new album, A Nova Era Do Só Você , via ForMusic Records. Featuring a new and more organic sound, the album includes 10 tracks that create Johnny's strongest and most conceptual work to date.
The creation process for A Nova Era Do Só Você began in an acoustic format, just guitar and vocals, at Aurora studio in late 2020. “I felt a very strong need to record these songs. They were composed at different times, but with common characteristics: they had a line, a 'Brazilian psychedelic folk country rock' style different from my other albums, where the songs have varied directions, mixing styles,” says Johnny. “This time, it’s almost like a 'concept' album; all the songs really complement each other.”
After the initial session, and inspired by listening to the Beach Boys ' Pet Sounds , Johnny and producer Carlos Eduardo Freitas decided to take a similar approach to Brian Wilson "wall of sound" process, with several overdubs recorded over the original acoustic recordings. The result was a "vintage" album, inspired by productions from the 60s and 70s and recorded with virtually no effects or digital editing. String arrangements and many layers of acoustic and electric guitars were also used, giving the album a grandeur that honors the classic albums of the era.
In addition to Pet Sounds , the musician also cites influences from artists such as Buffalo Springfield, Grant Lee Buffalo, Velvet Underground, Kevin Morby, among others; and also includes national inspirations, such as Almir Sater and Raul Seixas , evidenced by the instrumentation in several tracks on the album.
Due to the pandemic, the number of musicians involved in the album was reduced, staggered across different sessions. In addition to the instruments recorded by the composer himself, Guga Almeida (drums), Júlio Pelloso (cello), Thiago Moretti (violins), and Helena Hennemann (backing vocals) participated in the recordings. Besides producing the album, Carlos Eduardo Freitas played bass.
Even though it was created during a difficult time, the songs on the album maintain an optimistic tone. “I gave it my all, really, on this album. It was an insane amount of work, during a difficult time in our lives, with the pandemic and a horrible political scenario; but the album has a very hopeful message, a strength and cohesion that I don't feel in my other works.”
The album consists of 10 tracks, including the singles "Os Pássaros," "Cidade Grande," and "Armadilhas Do Pensamento," which were previously released. The album concludes with the title track, which synthesizes the album's themes and sound in a grand finale, guided by the orchestration of a string arrangement.
The New Era of Just You is now available on all platforms.
