WORLD
DAVID HUTCHEON
Julia Mestre
★★★★
Maravilhosamente Bem
MR BONGO. CD/DL/LP
A prime slice of sultry 1980s Brazilian disco from the Bala Desejo star.
Though her self-proclaimed modus operandi suggests “tropicália and the buzz of now”, this is very much a modern twist on 1980s MPB (música popular Brasileira) from the 28-year-old, Rio-born singer. Making waves during lockdown with a series of digital-only singles, Mestre nabbed a Latin Grammy two years ago as part of the Bala Desejo collective, where the emphasis was on getting a party started. Here, the title track and Veneno Da Serpente keep the heart pumping but, for the most part, Mestre has seduction on her mind. Vampira implies it’s not entirely wholesome; Sentimento Blues suggests she is beyond help (“A bluesy feeling/Freud, not even Jung, could explain to me”). Underlining the debt to classic MPB, there are nods to Brazilian legends Rita Lee and Marina Lima (the latter sings on Marinou, Limou), but this is Mestre announcing herself to the world.