A New Bossa: Luísa Sonza + Menescal + Toquinho

In a move that beautifully bridges the gap between Brazil’s musical heritage and its vibrant future, superstar Luísa Sonza has announced her latest project: Bossa Sempre Nova (Bossa Always New). Far from a solo effort, the album is a collaborative work featuring two of the genre’s living legends, Roberto Menescal and Toquinho.

The announcement of the album, shared via Instagram, marks a significant milestone in Sonza's career. "This project was born very naturally from something I had been exploring for a while," the singer shared. "Sharing it with these Bossa Nova icons is a true honor."

The respect is clearly mutual. Menescal, a key architect of the Bossa Nova sound in the 1950s, expressed his excitement:

"I am especially happy because I know that Bossa Nova has gained a great interpreter from this new generation of singers... The album turned out beautiful." Toquinho, another titan of the Brazilian guitar, emphasized the cultural importance of the project: "It is vital for a representative of your generation to dive into the songs that shaped the history of Brazilian music."

For many fans, this transition isn't a surprise. In 2023, Sonza flirted with the genre through her hit single "Chico" (from the album Escândalo Íntimo). The track, which referenced greats like Chico Buarque and Caetano Veloso, sparked a viral debate across Brazil: Was it "true" Bossa Nova?

The debate was eventually settled by Menescal himself. At the invitation of O Estado de S. Paulo, he analyzed the track and gave it his seal of approval: "Yes, I think it is Bossa Nova. It’s beautiful... It’s 'catchy' Bossa Nova. You hear the chorus and find yourself singing along." He famously noted that anything can be Bossa Nova, provided it carries that unmistakable "little beat" (batidinha) pioneered by João Gilberto.

For international fans of Brazilian music, this collaboration represents more than just a new album. It signifies a cultural passing of the torch. By bringing the sophisticated harmonies of the 1950s into the streaming era, Luísa Sonza is ensuring that Brazil’s most famous musical export remains a living, breathing art form rather than a relic of the past.

Following her English-language version of "Chico" in 2024 (also produced by Menescal), Bossa Sempre Nova is set to be the definitive proof that Brazil’s "new" and "old" sounds are, in fact, two sides of the same golden coin.

#bossanova #bossasemprenova #luisasonza #toquinho #robertomenescal #brazilianmusic

Photo: Instagram (@luisasonza, @robertomenescaloficial e @toquinho)