Noites Longas by Phoebe

Like an ode to Lisbon’s underground, ‘Noites Longas’ LP brings together many of the city’s staples between artist, labels and remixers. Starting with Phoebe, who penned the album - an artist who is a vital agitator, involved in projects like Planeta Manas, CURVS, mina and Rádio Quântica. The latter is one of the two labels who paired up to release this record, alongside DIY legends Rotten \ Fresh. It comes out on digital and tape formats on October 17.

‘Noites Longas’, the title track, translates as 'Long Nights' and encapsulates the spirit of the album in a dancefloor-ready format: erratic but sure shot; improvisational but machine-like; banging yet deeply emotional. Like a night where you went a little too far and the voices in your head decided to ask you the hardest questions. Dirty electro with morphing basslines, a change of pace midway to loser rhythms, and a progressive return to the familiar, cathartic 4/4 format provide the ideal ride for the paranoid-like mutant vocals that repeat the words again and again - with easter eggs for the portuguese speakers.

‘Curvs’ with vocals by fellow CURVS (a body-positive queer rave in Lisbon) member Gustrava turns the pace up, introduces breakbeats and an unexpected indie dance flavour (but make it punk as fuck). Twisted acid synths bring a sense of dancefloor urgency, as do the lyrics: ‘My movement is a thesis - and you can read me here on the dancefloor’ is one of the many tongue-in-cheek rave-philosophy punchlines you’ll hear throughout. A bit of an instant classic, this one’s a radical rave hymn that gives us a much-needed slap of realness.

On the remixes, King Kami, NAAFI’s newest signee, flips ‘Noites Longas’ into a breakbeat-led, glitch-peppered roller. BLEID, mina co-resident, steps in with one of their signature drum workouts punctuated with vocal sampling, precise and syncopated, fast but loose. Greek outfit and Phoebe’s music friends Boys' Shorts deliver an elegant, melodic take on ‘Protecting You From Me’, adding breakbeats and a classic bassline. Maximumcringe, the duo of mina co-resident Violet and Wugori, take 'Curvs' on a housey ride in honour of the party’s musical tradition - but punk never left the house, so keep it locked ‘til the end. DJ Vicecity reaches for classic rave emotion in his ‘Rei Bebe’ remix, chopping and layering Phoebe’s vocals over a blissed-out piano roller. As if to help us reflect and unwind after a Long Night indeed, usof picks up ‘Protecting You From Me’ and gives us a soulful, glowing re-composition with Phoebe’s vocals and Pedro Sousa’s sax peeking beautifully.

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Circa 2017
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