Cavalo
Rodrigo Amarante
2013
Why This Album Matters
Cavalo, released in Brazil in 2013 and worldwide in 2014, marks the solo debut of Rodrigo Amarante, a name already revered in the Brazilian music scene for his involvement in iconic bands such as Los Hermanos. This album is not just a milestone in his career, but also a work that solidifies his identity as a composer and multi-instrumentalist, exploring nuances of folk rock, MPB, psychedelia, and experimental elements. The sound of Cavalo is engaging and intimate, permeated by a dreamlike quality and an atmosphere of melancholy and longing, often associated with the concept of saudade. Amarante masterfully transitions between introspection and exuberance, creating a musical and cultural melting pot that captivates the listener with its honesty and depth.
Context
Following Los Hermanos' hiatus in 2007, Amarante did not remain inactive, dedicating himself to other prominent musical projects. He was part of Orquestra Imperial and co-founded the group Little Joy with Fabrizio Moretti (The Strokes) and Binki Shapiro, releasing an album in 2008 and undertaking global tours until 2009. It was during his move to Los Angeles, a place where he was initially unknown, that Amarante found the inspiration for Cavalo. This feeling of 'exile' and the rediscovery of his own nature shaped the album's themes and sound, making it a reflection of his experiences and the search for a new artistic identity.
Recording
Cavalo was recorded in 2012, with sessions divided between Los Angeles and Rio de Janeiro, reflecting the geographical and cultural duality that permeates Amarante's work. The record is notable for its polyglot approach, featuring tracks sung in Portuguese, English, and French, as well as Japanese verses in the title track. Much of the album was recorded by Amarante alone, demonstrating his versatility as an instrumentalist and arranger. However, he relied on the collaboration of former bandmates and friends, such as Rodrigo Barba, Fabrizio Moretti, and Devendra Banhart, in addition to contributions from Josiah Steinbrick and even actress Kristen Wiig on backing vocals.
Songs
The compositions on Cavalo, all penned by Rodrigo Amarante, reveal lyrical and melodic richness. The album stands out for how the songs intertwine, creating a cohesive auditory journey. Tracks such as the smooth and sensual "Nada Em Vão", the psychedelic and driven "Hourglass", the delicate "Irene", which explores the feeling of saudade, and the surprising "Mon Nom", sung in French, illustrate the work's diversity. The choice of different languages for the lyrics, often addressing the perspective of a foreigner or the intertextuality of ideas, adds layers of meaning to the album's introspective narratives. The title track "Cavalo" incorporates verses in Japanese, a touch of plurality that underlines the cultural fusion present in the work.
Legacy
Cavalo was widely acclaimed by critics, receiving positive reviews both in Brazil and internationally. Rolling Stone Brasil magazine chose it as the sixth best national album of 2013, while the website Tenho Mais Discos que Amigos! placed it in fourth position. In Portugal, the newspaper Público considered it the fifth best album of 2014, and the British magazine MOJO ranked it as the third best in the 'World' category. The album's success prompted an extensive tour, which began in the United States in 2013, even before its release, and extended across Brazil, Europe, and 20 other countries in 2014, consolidating Amarante's solo career. Furthermore, songs such as "Tuyo", the theme song for the series Narcos, which is not on the album Cavalo but solidified Amarante's solo career, achieved great global recognition.
Rankings
Tracks
Credits
Noah Georgeson
Rodrigo Amarante
JJ Golden
Noah Georgeson, Rodrigo Amarante
Noah Georgeson, Rodrigo Amarante, Samur Khouja
Osk Studio
Podcasts
Babblin' Bangers · Felipe Beraldi
Babbled about the math-rock entity known as Battles and then, surprises ensued.
PodCália · Gigola
Depois de Los Hermanos, Orquestra Imperial e Little Joy, Rodrigo Amarante decidiu que era a hora de lançar o seu primeiro trabalho solo.Assim, no ano de 2013 "Cavalo," um disco sensível e melancólico viu a luz do dia através do celeiro - ok, desculpem a piada 5ª serie. De acordo com Amarante, Cavalo é sua própria incursão em direção ao passado, àquilo que o fez musicalmente ser quem ele é hoje tam
Videos
Rodrigo Amarante - Sobre o disco "Cavalo"
Thiago Trajano
Analyses
Cavalo – Wikipedia
Wikipedia, the free encyclopaedia
Crítica | Rodrigo Amarante: "Cavalo" - Música Instantânea
musicainstantanea.com.br
Quem foi com sede ao pote durante as primeiras audições de Cavalo (2013. Som Livre), talvez em busca de um novo disco do Los Hermanos, possivelmente deixou escapar um dos exemplares mais sensíveis da nossa música.
Resenha: Rodrigo Amarante - Cavalo | TMDQA!
tenhomaisdiscosqueamigos.com
Ao lançar Cavalo, primeiro álbum-solo da carreira, Rodrigo Amarante divulgou uma carta com detalhes sobre o processo de inspiração e produção do disco.
Crítica | "Cavalo" - Rodrigo Amarante - Plano Crítico
planocritico.com
Cavalo (2013), foi produzido por Noah Georgeson e gravado após o retorno temporário de Amarante ao Brasil, após morar nos Estados Unidos e de onde não saiu definitivamente, tendo inclusive gravado algumas canções do disco por lá.
Cavalo - Rodrigo Amarante | Crítica
omelete.com.br
Independente do teor desta espera, há de se concordar que Cavalo é um disco sincero. O cantor imprime sua essência em onze faixas suaves, que não surpreendem em relação ao seu estilo de composição e arranjo, mas podem agradar pela mensagem que transmitem.
Discogs
Cavalo – Discogs
discogs.com