{"id":1893985,"date":"2026-04-21T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-04-20T21:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=1893985"},"modified":"2026-04-21T00:00:00","modified_gmt":"2026-04-20T21:00:00","slug":"wonderland-142","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=1893985","title":{"rendered":"Wonderland"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\n\t\t\tWonderland<\/span>
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\n\t\t\tLU\u00edSA SONZA WANTS YOU TO LISTEN TO BOSSA NOVA<\/span>
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On the heels of her first-ever Coachella performance and the debut of her fifth studio album, Brazilian singer-songwriter Lu\u00edsa Sonza takes a breather to look back at her roots, honouring her country\u2019s culture-defining genre. Linking up with bossa nova legends Toquinho and Roberto Menescal, she brings to life Bossa Sempre Nova<\/em><\/em>, a full-length project reinterpreting classics.<\/h3>\n
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\"Lu\u00edsa
Photography by Pam Martins<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

\u201cIf Lu\u00edsa had been born eighty years ago, she\u2019d have been creating bossa nova with us. At Nara Le\u00e3o\u2019s house.\u201d For untrained \u2013 or simply non-Brazilian \u2013 ears, hearing legendary Brazilian composer and record producer Roberto Menescal draw a line between you and some of your country\u2019s most revered musical masterminds based solely on your birth year might read as poetic nostalgia. But singer-songwriter Lu\u00edsa Sonza is acutely aware of the weight behind a statement like that. Eighty years ago, at Nara Le\u00e3o\u2019s home in Rio de Janeiro, a group of bohemian artists were quietly birthing what would become one of the most influential musical movements in Brazil and the world. It was the late fifties, under the blazing sun and culturally charged shores of Copacabana, that bossa nova first slipped into existence.<\/p>\n

A softer, stripped-back sonic language, bossa nova is a dialect of Brazil\u2019s native samba, infused with the harmonic sophistication and intimacy of American jazz. It\u2019s an ever-evolving, synesthesia-inducing sound that, within its first decades, became a global phenomenon. It\u2019s no coincidence that when you think of Brazilian music, an elevator-like jukebox whisks you straight to 1962, to Ant\u00f4nio Carlos Jobim and Vin\u00edcius de Moraes\u2019 \u201cGarota de Ipanema\u201d \u2013 later immortalised in English as \u201cGirl from Ipanema\u201d by Norman Gimbel. The genre, with its melancholic sweetness, became the blueprint for what we now recognise as the Brazilian sound. It\u2019s as intrinsic to the nation\u2019s DNA as football, p\u00e3o de queijo, sprawling nature, and an almost obsessive relationship with showers. There is no being Brazilian without loving bossa nova \u2013 nor being a Brazilian artist untouched by it.<\/p>\n

Lu\u00edsa Sonza knows that all too well. After making international waves with her single \u201cChico\u201d, from her 2024-shared third studio album Esc\u00e2ndalo \u00cdntimo<\/em> \u2013 a bossa nova-tinged love story that placed her squarely in the eye of public scrutiny following the relationship\u2019s dissolution \u2013 she found solace in a genre that had always lived within her musical identity, even if it hadn\u2019t often taken centre stage. \u201cThat\u2019s when I felt this urge to explore it further,\u201d she tells me over Zoom, speaking from Brazil. International junkets rarely allow artists and journalists the intimacy and luxury of a one-on-one digital room. But Sonza and I couldn\u2019t be in better company. To her right sits Menescal; to her left, Toquinho \u2013 two of the most enduring figures in Brazilian music.<\/p>\n

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\"Lu\u00edsa<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

Across a career spanning more than a decade, Sonza has cemented herself as a triple threat \u2013 singer, songwriter, performer. At the core, her sound blends Brazilian pop and funk, but before fully stepping into her next chapter \u2013 marked by the release of her fifth album Brutal Para\u00edso<\/a>, <\/em>out now, and her biggest international show to date at Coachella<\/a> \u2013 she chose to pause and look back. Not only to honour her long-standing relationship with bossa nova, but to do so alongside the very architects of its legacy.<\/p>\n

And just like that, Sonza, Menescal and Toquinho made an album. The 15-track project is a body of covers, reimagining some of bossa nova\u2019s most beloved classics \u2013 many originally written by Menescal and Toquinho \u2013 alongside an original composition by Sonza. \u201c[To reach] a younger audience, one that may not yet be familiar with the music,\u201d says Toquinho when speaking about the importance of the record. \u201cHer voice brings fresh attention and new perspectives. It\u2019s important that she\u2019s doing this from the position she holds in Brazilian music today.\u201d<\/p>\n

On the heels of Bossa Sempre<\/em> Nova<\/em> (forever bossa nova, as it translates), the powerhouse trio sit down with Wonderland<\/em> to discuss the project.<\/p>\n

Listen to Bossa Sempre Nova\u2026<\/em><\/p>\n

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Read the exclusive full interview\u2026<\/em><\/p>\n

Lu\u00edsa, Toquinho, Menescal, it\u2019s such a pleasure to speak with you. How did this album first come to life, how you first connected, and when you decided to turn it into a proper project?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Lu\u00edsa Sonza:<\/strong> I think this album really began back with \u201c<\/em>Chico.\u201d<\/em> When I recorded it for Esc\u00e2ndalo \u00cdntimo<\/em>, it had that soft bossa nova guitar base, and the lyrics were already inspired by bossa and MPB. From that moment on, I fell even more in love with [the genre]. I already loved it, of course, but I started researching it deeply, because people began asking questions about the genre, about why I\u2019d made that song, all of that. And then people from the bossa nova world started reaching out to me. That\u2019s when I felt this urge to explore it further. I first met Roberto Menescal, who is, quite literally, bossa nova embodied, backstage. One conversation led to another, and we decided to record an English version of \u201c<\/em>Chico\u201d<\/em> with him and his band. From there, we built a really lovely relationship.<\/p>\n

Two years later, Douglas [Moda] \u2013 my producer since Doce22<\/em>, we create everything together \u2013 we wanted to do a live session, re-recording some of my songs and a few covers, with bossa nova as the central theme, alongside Menescal. But as we started choosing songs and shaping the repertoire, the idea kept growing inside me. I realised I didn\u2019t want just a session, I wanted to make a full album. Menescal was immediately on board. Then, while we were selecting songs, Douglas pointed out that many of them were by Toquinho. The choices came very much from a place of admiration; they were songs I personally loved.<\/p>\n

At one point Douglas said, \u201cWhy don\u2019t we invite Toquinho?\u201d I was like, \u2018wait, you have his contact?\u2019 That already felt surreal. Menescal alone was incredible. Menescal and<\/em> Toquinho felt almost impossible. But, long story short, I didn\u2019t believe it until I met him in person, the three of us together.<\/p>\n

That\u2019s how the album came about, very naturally, very spontaneously. I think that\u2019s what makes it feel so special and joyful.<\/p>\n

And from your side, Toquinho, Menescal, what was that first contact like? What made you say yes?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Toquinho:<\/strong> For me, it was both a pleasure and a surprise. As Lu\u00edsa said, the idea had already begun to take shape with Menescal. When Douglas called me, and I realised I had the time, and that they were giving me complete creative freedom, I said yes. I hadn\u2019t even spoken to Lu\u00edsa beforehand, so I felt slightly unsure at first. I wondered: will she like this? Does she lean more this way or that? I only really met her once the arrangements were already done, when she was in the studio recording with Menescal.<\/p>\n

But when I saw how she was singing, the precision, the vocal quality, I became much more confident. It was a quick but intense connection. She was very clear about what she felt for the project and about her relationship with my music.<\/p>\n

There was a real sense of harmony. When I returned a couple of days later to record, some tracks just with guitar, others with a simple Brazilian arrangement, I truly experienced her as a singer. And I realised she has a deep understanding not just of performance, but of studio technique, how to shape a take, how to collaborate creatively with the sound engineer, and a strong sense of what she wants.<\/p>\n

The result reflects that: Menescal\u2019s vast experience in bossa nova, my own sixty years in music, and Lu\u00edsa\u2019s knowledge, remarkable for someone so young, combined with her determination to get things right. She\u2019s done something that, I believe, will endure and open many doors for her. It all stems from \u201c<\/em>Chico,\u201d<\/em> which already carried that bossa nova atmosphere. This was a natural evolution, and it became something strong, cohesive, and emotionally rich, even in its simplicity.<\/p>\n

Roberto<\/strong> Menescal:<\/strong> I hardly have anything to add! Truly. Except to say that when Lu\u00edsa started bringing in songs, I told her: \u201cIt might seem like I\u2019m pushing my own music, or Toquinho\u2019s \u2013 but I\u2019m not.\u201d She chose everything. Every single track.<\/p>\n

And I\u2019m very happy. The messages I\u2019ve been receiving, from people I know and people I don\u2019t, tell me the album has landed. It\u2019s already resonating.<\/p>\n

Toquinho:<\/strong> Just to add, this album has real global potential. Lu\u00edsa had the vision to think beyond Brazil. Of course, it\u2019s being beautifully promoted here, as it should be. But internationally, I believe it will open many doors. That\u2019s one of its greatest strengths.<\/p>\n

\"Lu\u00edsa<\/figure>\n

That actually leads perfectly into my next question. Brazil feels more in the global spotlight than ever. What does it mean to you to bring bossa nova into that space, something so essential to our cultural identity, potentially introducing it to new audiences?<\/strong><\/p>\n

LS:<\/strong> It means a lot. To me, as an artist, as a person, as a Brazilian. Especially in a year like this, with Coachella and [my career] expanding internationally. Having this album as a foundation, something that transcends time, it feels like the beginning of many things.<\/p>\n

We made it with a genuine intention to respect bossa nova, its tradition, its originality, while also bringing in a pop sensibility, in the vocal tone and certain choices. I wouldn\u2019t say \u201cmodernising\u201d because bossa nova is already timeless, but rather introducing new perspectives from today, and from my own work.<\/p>\n

To carry that into a year where Brazil is being seen in such a beautiful light, and to bring one of our most precious cultural forms, alongside two legends, it\u2019s incredibly meaningful. It feels like an important step in my career and in how I want to represent Brazil on a stage like Coachella and beyond.<\/p>\n

Toquinho:<\/strong> If I may add, Brazilian music, especially bossa nova, is already deeply respected abroad. But Lu\u00edsa brings something new. She reaches a younger audience, one that may not yet be familiar with it. Her voice brings fresh attention and new perspectives. It\u2019s important that she\u2019s doing this from the position she holds in Brazilian music today, with such a strong following. It\u2019s like a new plant growing, bringing new life and new eyes to both her work and Brazilian music as a whole.<\/p>\n

RM:<\/strong> I was just thinking, if Lu\u00edsa had been born eighty years ago, she\u2019d have been creating bossa nova with us. At Nara Le\u00e3o\u2019s house.<\/p>\n

LS:<\/strong> What a dream!<\/p>\n

\"Lu\u00edsa<\/figure>\n

Lu\u00edsa, you also have an original song on the album, sitting alongside such iconic compositions. How does that feel?<\/strong><\/p>\n

LS:<\/strong> That was the most intimidating part, at first. Not only was I writing among these giants, but the song itself wasn\u2019t even intended as bossa nova. It was actually for my next album, written very casually during a session in Los Angeles.<\/p>\n

But somehow, quietly, it found its place in this project. I sent it to Menescal a cappella; I was too shy to send it with a guitar! Douglas is always pushing me; he\u2019s like the fifth Beatles, making things happen. He said, \u201cWhy not send it? It fits the album.\u201d So I did.<\/p>\n

At first, I wanted to refine the lyrics, to make them more elaborate, especially given the company they were in. But the song felt so natural, so comfortable as it was. Sometimes, a song doesn\u2019t need to be complex to be beautiful. Once Menescal liked it, I thought \u2013 who am I to change it? What if I ruin it? So I left it as it was. And the result was wonderful.<\/p>\n

I was honestly terrified of how it would be received, especially alongside such iconic re-recordings. But when I saw the response from critics and audiences, it was such a relief. Truly. I was so relieved people connected with it, because in my mind, it could have gone either way. It was written so quickly, so instinctively. I never imagined it would end up on an album like this. And yet it did. And I\u2019m just really glad people embraced it.<\/p>\n

Words \u2013 Sofia Ferreira
Photography \u2013 Pam Martims<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n

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Culture<\/a><\/div>\n
Feature Interview<\/a><\/div>\n
Music<\/a><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
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\n\t\t\t\tWhat\u2019s good at Brick Lane Jazz Festival according to the person who booked it<\/span> <\/span><\/a>\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Wonderland LU\u00edSA SONZA WANTS YOU TO LISTEN TO BOSSA NOVA On the heels of her first-ever Coachella performance and the debut of her fifth studio album, Brazilian singer-songwriter Lu\u00edsa Sonza takes a breather to look back at her roots, honouring her country\u2019s culture-defining genre. Linking up with bossa nova legends Toquinho and Roberto Menescal, she […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[226,257],"class_list":["post-1893985","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized","tag-crawlmanager","tag-wonderlandmagazine-com"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1893985","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1893985"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1893985\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1893985"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1893985"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1893985"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}