Critic's evaluation
It's been two years in existence, which means being a child of the pandemic. In the meantime, the São Paulo trio Anônimos Anônimos announces to the national phonographic market its debut product. Entitled Baita Astral, the EP was produced from rare moments of meeting possible between the low waves of proliferation of Covid-19 in 2021.
An intoxicating suspense accompanies the listener from a sharp, linear sonar that hovers through the introduction. Uncertainties, expectations, and doubts circulate the environment with an almost disorderly frequency until, between the sliding strings, the guitar produces a low riff, short and melancholic that curiously captures the listener by its introspective content. In the background, the drums gradually increase their presence and pressure until the melody reaches its boiling point by exhaling a cadenced, sour and explosive sonority. In the first chorus, a purposeful, shrill and powerful overpressure comes from Roberto Bezerra's bass as a call for the listener to pay attention to what Particelli has to say. And in Esse Cara Não Sou Eu, Anônimos Anônimos evaluates the erroneous concept socially employed to the word perfection. Manliness, strength, beauty. The deification of the individual. However, with wisdom and awareness, the trio exposes the truth that even those who, in the eyes of many, lead an enviable life, suffer from their own negativist demons. More than saying that perfection is not synonymous with happiness, Esse Cara Não Sou Eu, the most delicate track on Baita Astral, demystifies the idea that suffering has favorite prey. Depression in the lead role is a disease that doesn't choose day, time, or social class. It arrives without warning and always embraces those who least expect it. A dramatic social analysis that exudes despair and anguish.
Like the sunrise of accelerated illumination coming from the horizon, the sound has its awakening. Pulled by Flavio Particelli's raspy and slightly bass vocal, the song already communicates a mixture of softness, excitement, and melody. Comforting like a warm sun on a winter's afternoon, Só Se Morre Uma Vez manages to bring rawness, a garage sound and to transmit a curious sense of self-esteem that exhales from the still immature but full of will synchronicity of the members. Bringing an interesting mix of Bayside Kings and Dead Fish, Só Se Morre Uma Vez is the pure joy of gratitude in being alive that dialogues about fear, insecurity and perseverance in continuing to build the path of one's own destiny. With the help of Marcelo Sabino's 4x4 drums, Só Se Morre Uma Vez can get the listener off the ground and make him forget, during its little more than two minutes, the problems that accompany routine. A perfect escapism that brings band and listener closer together.
With a hardcore lead pulled by the synchrony between drums and bass, the listener finds himself almost obliged to shake his head and do the headbanging. Here the curious thing is the way Particelli interprets the lyrical content, a way capable of sounding strictly what the word means. Growing from harsh bursts, Tô Bem Não slips into a catchy chorus, fast and with catchy verses that talk about stress, the weight of routine, and how quickly time goes by. Tô Bem Não is not only an invitation to the Mosh formation, but also a song that represents all those who lead a life plagued by a tiring and discouraging routine.
The guitar arrives raw and with the harsh company of a precise drums in its dry double pedals and its dirty vibe. Evolving into a contagious swing that, unlike Archipelagos, falls into the hard rock aesthetic, Seja Ridículo, Seja Feliz is strictly sexy and dangerous, but also dense, slightly dark, and with motivational and positivist lyricism. Transiting also through hardcore, Seja Ridículo, Seja Feliz is a lesson of self-esteem and self-worth at the same time that it is a kind of symposium for the listener to be whatever he wants, as long as he does not hide his identity, his essence, and his emotions.
With a surprisingly swinging rhythm, the drums regain their space with the fade in effect. When the guitar enters the scene confirming a swinging melody, the sonority creates a sudden kinship with the rhythmic structure of A Little Less Conversation, an Elvis Presley single. Curiously mellow and with a cleaner vocal, Arquipélago takes on a jovial, almost naive stance that makes it flirt with sunny, beachy California pop punk. Contagious and harmonic, the track manages to exude nostalgic notes while engaging in a dialogue about relationships. More than that, Arquipélago is about maturing, about intensity, about determination, and most of all, about overcoming. Arquipélago is definitely the ballad of Baita Astral.
It is surprising that with their first material a group can unite lyrics that entertain and reflect with catchy, harsh, and dense melodies. Anônimos Anônimos achieved the feat with Baita Astral, an EP that, simply, teaches to be grateful for life and to value the essence that exists in each individual.
With a raw, garage sound, the São Paulo trio managed to create an authentic, explosive, and contagious sound by fusing hardcore with pop punk and hard rock. Educational, reflective, and motivational, Baita Astral is like a shuttle of emotions that represent the different phases of its own composition. After all, it is possible to feel the discouragement of isolation, the joy of reunion, and the boredom of routine.
With production and mixing by Phil Fargnoli, Baita Astral ended up resulting in a mixture of dirt, pressure, harshness, and swing. These ingredients were essential for, besides building a bond with the listener, it was an instrument for venting various emotions long repressed.
Closing the technical scope comes the cover art. Signed by Caio Minero, it is possible to see similarities with the Bayside Kings mascot. Nevertheless, the rough strokes and the combination of yellow and black colors already carry in themselves the information that this is a product that flirts with the punk universe. In addition, it is interesting to note that the skull's features and its upturned chest pose carry a connotation of self-esteem, joy, and even acceptance. This is, in fact, a big part of what the EP offers.
Released on 08/05/2022 via Repente Records, Baita Astral brings a young band, aware of their sound and thirsty for recognition. It is a product that manages to be motivational, reflective, and fun in equal measure. An escapism from routine and a relieving extravasation.
