Bxd In Jazz
Yoún
2022
Rankings
Why This Album Matters
Bxd In Jazz, the debut album by Rio de Janeiro duo YOÙN, is a landmark in the contemporary Brazilian music scene, solidifying the presence of a sound that blends R&B, neo-soul, jazz and trap with an identity deeply rooted in Afro-Brazilian culture. Released in 2021, the record stands out for its melodic sound and sophisticated arrangements, which sublimate the romanticism of 90s R&B with a distinctly Brazilian touch. This work represents the voice of a new generation of artists who, from the Baixada Fluminense region, have gained space and listeners with an authentic and innovative musical proposition. The fusion of diverse elements, particularly percussion, establishes a bridge between the duo's roots and global trends, creating a rich and original auditory experience that deserves attention for its musical and aesthetic quality.
Context
The duo YOÙN, formed by Shuna and Gian Pedro, has a trajectory that began long before the release of Bxd In Jazz. Hailing from Nova Iguaçu, in the Baixada Fluminense, the musicians began their artistic journey in church groups and, from 2017, captivated audiences as street artists, performing at train stations on the Japeri line, between Nova Iguaçu and Central do Brasil. This peripheral experience and the daily experience of playing for people shaped not only their musical identity, but also the themes addressed in their compositions, which reflect their experiences and contemporary youth culture. Before the album, the duo had already achieved significant recognition with singles such as "Meu Grande Amor", which accumulated millions of views, and collaborations with artists like Gilsons, Delacruz and Tuyo.
Recording
Bxd In Jazz is an album with 12 original tracks, with musical direction by Julio Raposo, who also co-produced with the JOINT team, comprising Carlos do Complexo, Dudu Kaplan and Junior Neves. The musical production is a collective effort that includes Julio Raposo, Lux Ferreira and Thiago Dom, as well as Shuna and Gian Pedro themselves. The recording process featured Junior Neves as recording engineer and Gabriel Vasconcelos as studio assistant. Digital edits were made by Alex Reis, while mixing was handled by Arthur Luna, with the exception of the track "Só Love", mixed by Luciano Scalercio. Mastering was carried out by Beto Neves. The instrumentation is varied, including acoustic guitars, vocals, percussion, drums, keyboards, string arrangements, violins, bass and electric guitars, demonstrating the richness and complexity of the album's musical arrangements.
Songs
The 12 tracks of Bxd In Jazz trace a narrative that explores the duo's diverse musical influences and personal experiences. The opening track, "Intro", serves as a connection to the album's final song, emphasising Afro-Brazilian rhythms that have transformed pop culture and introducing the vocal arrangements that characterise the work. Among the songs, "Só Love" is an already known hit that evokes positive feelings in relationships, harking back to the times when they performed on the subway. Other tracks like "Welcome" are cited by the duo as favourites, contemplating everyday situations in the Baixada Fluminense and incorporating melodies with trumpet and guitar foundations. The lyrics of "Jazz", for example, poetically describe love and a smile with the lightness of jazz and bossa.
Legacy
Since its release, Bxd In Jazz has been received as a 'powerful cry of musical and aesthetic quality', winning over diverse audiences. The album was crucial in solidifying the duo YOÙN as one of the promises of the Brazilian R&B and neo-soul scene. Public acceptance, which had already shown loyalty since the duo's first releases, such as "Meu Grande Amor", translated into high expectations for the complete album. The work is seen as a watershed, introducing a 'contemporary flow that could define a new phase in Brazilian music and a new language'. Critics describe it as a celebration of YOÙN's journey and a testament to the strength and future of national music, adapting to modernity and enriching it with a unique sound. The success of tracks like "Só Love" on digital platforms, with hundreds of thousands of plays, reinforces the album's relevance and reach.
Discogs
Bxd In Jazz – Discogs
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