Going into March, I promised myself that I would branch out and try new things, including creative pursuits, TV shows, food, and, of course, music. This way of thinking led me to the discovery of Colombian singer-songwriter Juan de Vitrola and his latest single, ‘De nuevo Saudade.’
With the addition of Brazilian drummer, producer, and composer ÀIYÉ, ‘De nuevo Saudade’ is a gorgeous mosaic of alt-pop, folk, and Latin America’s proud heartbeat. Aglow with dreamy, ocean-deep textures and delicate yet debonair timbres, this track’s beauty won’t bow down to language barriers. So, with that in mind, let’s step into the tranquil soundscape that Juan de Vitrola and ÀIYÉ have gift-wrapped for us.
De nuevo Saudade
When the track starts, you’re immediately swept up in shimmery, almost deliquescent synths, from which the track’s initial texture derives its hauntingly cinematic feel. There’s something about the single’s introduction that speaks to both a sense of sorrow and peace, like – especially through the sedated tempos – you’re falling toward an ocean in slow motion. In other words, there are hints of an ethereal fantasy here that beautifully lights the way to Juan de Vitrola’s vocals.
The gentle yet sudden emergence of his voice winnows through the tranquil dreaminess of the instrumentation, acting like the breathless impact you’d feel as you hit the ocean’s surface. From that point, you’re fully submerged, entranced by the contrast between the taut, percussive beats and Juan de Vitrola’s breathy, angelic timbre. The duality between the two creates gorgeous wavelets of sonic sensations in which the beat firmly grips the melody while the vocals glide along on it with an elegant near-touch.
And when ÀIYÉ’s voice peeks through the harmonies…the word paradisial comes to mind. ÀIYÉ and Juan de Vitrola sound as if they were always meant to sing together, taking to those high notes with a silky effortlessness. With ÀIYÉ’s fae-esque talents enriching this single, you can’t help but fall more in love with the undercurrent of fantasy that permeates across the track’s rhythm.
As you can expect, this feeling only grows as the song continues, especially as every one of the song’s wondrous elements meld together. The vocals, the beat, the synths – every element has had its own time to build upon each others’ flair, but when they unite near the end of the track, it’s magic. Despite becoming a more intricately-layered patchwork of sounds, ‘De nuevo Saudade’ doesn’t lose itself in its colours, but rather becomes a complete painting of passion and prowess.
Mirroring the introduction, the diminuendo isolates the synths heard at the beginning of the song, celebrating waning dynamics and an airy sense of calm that goes hand-in-hand with the laved silence that the track leaves in its wake. Overall, ‘De nuevo Saudade’ is a superb example of the power and universality of music. It doesn’t matter what language you speak; Juan de Vitrola’s music tells stories that transcend cultural differences and resonate with every listener.
Source: https://www.instagram.com/juandevitrola
ALT: A colourful, illustrated portrait of Colombian singer-songwriter Juan de Vitrola.
Juan de Vitrola
Juan Felipe Ochoa, AKA Juan de Vitrola, has had a wonderful career as a musician over the past nine years. I’m sure this news isn’t shocking to you; after hearing ‘De nuevo Saudade,’ it’s clear that Juan takes to his craft with love, knowledge, and wisdom – the kind that comes with experience.
Having poured his heart into his solo career and time as a bandmate, Juan has fashioned a style that can both shine wonderfully on its own and complement the artists he collaborates with. In other words, whether he is jamming with Surcos or exploring the intricacies of happiness and heartache alone, Juan de Vitrola’s music is a delight to hear.
Supported by a vibrant presence on social media and an abundance of smile-inducing singles (including ‘En Tu Planeta,’ which I especially recommend), Juan de Vitrola’s ambition and passion knows no limits. Plus, with an upcoming album that serves as the dawn of a new musical era for Juan, it’s an exciting time to be one of his fans!
While we wait to see how Juan’s ingenuity has enriched the next chapter of his artistic journey, ‘De nuevo Saudade’ is available to listen to right now across all major streaming platforms. Need I say anything else?
Till next time.