Skylab V

Rogério Skylab

2004

Why This Album Matters

Skylab VI, independently released in 2006, is a significant milestone in Rogério Skylab's discography, representing the sixth album in his acclaimed eponymous and numbered series. This work stands out not only for its length, being Skylab's longest to date with 19 tracks, but also for encapsulating the essence of his unique and uncompromising artistic vision. The album consolidates Skylab's identity in the Brazilian underground scene, with his musical aesthetic that flirts with experimental rock, art rock, noise rock and MPB, and lyrics that frequently address grotesque, shocking, and transgressive themes. The inclusion of one of his most notorious compositions, "Dedo, Língua, Cu e Boceta", underscores the lyrical audacity and irreverence that are the artist's trademarks, challenging conventions and intentionally provoking the audience.

Context

Rogério Skylab had already established a singular trajectory in Brazilian music, known for his 'do-it-yourself' approach and for describing himself as a 'corpse within MPB'. Since his second album, he adopted an independent stance following dissatisfaction with the production of his first work on a record label, which reinforced his raw and authorial aesthetic. Skylab VI fits into this sequence, being the sixth in a series of ten numbered albums that solidified his identity as an outsider artist, but with a passionate cult following.

Recording

The recording of Skylab VI, which took place in August 2005 at Estúdio Cia. dos Técnicos, was marked by a notable incident that would become an integral part of the album's visual identity. During one of the sessions, Rogério Skylab suffered a fall on his way to the studio, resulting in a fractured jaw. A photograph of him, taken hours after the surgery and with his face bandaged, was courageously used as the album's cover art, reinforcing the visceral and unfiltered nature of the work. Skylab himself took on the album's production, with Vânius Marques on mixing and Luiz Tornaghi on mastering, ensuring the final sound reflected his uncompromising artistic vision.

Songs

The album, comprising 19 tracks, is a feast of lyrical peculiarities and sonic experimentations. The controversial "Dedo, Língua, Cu e Boceta" is one of Skylab's most famous compositions, exemplifying his direct and provocative language. Other tracks include "Hino Nacional do Skylab", sung over the melody of the Brazilian National Anthem, a characteristic subversion by the artist. The song "Eu Não Tenho Eu" opens with a long excerpt from an interview that Skylab granted to the museologist and carnival designer Clóvis Bornay in 2005, shortly before his passing, adding a layer of depth and homage. Meanwhile, "Para de Roncar, Filha da Puta!!!" was dedicated to Skylab's wife, who, according to him, snores during sleep, and she herself contributes the brief monologue that opens the album, titled "Alucinação". A live version of "Cu e Boca" had already been featured on the album Skylab II, demonstrating the revisiting of themes and compositions in his work.

Legacy

Skylab VI received a mixed critical reception, as evidenced by Bráulio Lorentz's review for the website Pílula Pop, which awarded the album a score of 6 out of 10. Lorentz noted the lyrical repetition of references to the word "cu", which is a hallmark of Skylab's style, but praised tracks such as "Amo Muito Tudo Isso", "Eu e Você" and "Eu Não Tenho Eu", considering them 'surprising'. The album was independently released and, following the artist's practice, can be downloaded for free from his official website, democratising access to his work and reinforcing his anti-commercial spirit.