You know, it’s funny how sometimes we take music for granted. Especially when writing about it every day, as we do: records begin sounding the same, tunes blur into each other, and perspective gets easily lost. Luckily, once in a while, golden nuggets like ‘Cidade dos Lobos’ (City of Wolves) come along; acting as a cathartic relief, they salvage our artistic soul, reminding us why we are so stubborn about making music our passion and career.
Penned by Portuguese virtuoso José Rego, the album is a collection of instrumental pieces featuring nuanced acoustic guitars and dark, abstract textures, dancing together with maximum commitment. It’s glorious: from its opener ‘O Sósia’, the record invites the listeners into a heartwarming, soothing sonic refuge, offering escapism and salvation from our complex reality. We wish it would never end; track after track, ‘Cidade dos Lobos’ jumps from intimacy to hidden nostalgia, passing through chaotic abstractions and hypnotising repetitions.
Rego’s technical prowess is unmatched, pivoting his acoustic guitar as a magic wand; the source of his majestic and engaging sonic universe. Evoking a thousand emotions, José lulls the listener with electrifying tension. Speaking about the inspiration behind the EP, he explains: “These are compositions made by the people I encounter in my daily life, between bus journeys and the lights of the lamps during the long nights in Lisbon and Alentejo”.
Recommended! Discover ‘Cidade dos Lobos’ on Spotify:
