With his new EP “Sonho Azul,” the charismatic Portuguese-Angolan producer perfects his vision of batida and immerses us in a hypnotic, blissful vortex. Meet the young atmospheric artist with a dreamy universe, member of the Congolese-Montreal group Moonshine.
Always one step ahead is the driving force that drives Vanyfox every day. At almost 24 years old, Paulo Alexandre, real name, already has his eyes on the future and his future projects, even though he is about ten days away from releasing a new EP. ““I will launch a project but I will not stop there, my job is to see more.” The young man says confidently. “I’ll leave you a little project as a gift, so you can dance to it, while I stay locked in my cabin doing my work and you can listen to what’s going on.” He adds a good Stakhanovist proverb.
That’s because the spearhead of the new Batida scene – this highly rhythmic genre, at the crossroads of African and European electronic music, born on the outskirts of Lisbon in the mid-2000s – feels invested in a mission of a divine nature. It was produced while preaching behind the club decks. “Thank God that all this is happening. (…) One of my goals is to bring this style to the highest possible level in other countries, without it becoming mainstream and doing like amapiano,” Vanifox admits, concerned that his favorite genre is not facing the same disintegration as the ubiquitous South African phenomenon.
Nearly ten years after arriving in France, in Reims, at the age of 14, the native of Udefelas – a northern suburb of Lisbon – has recently experienced a major boost thanks to his unwavering dedication to his journey as a DJ and producer. Since 2020, Vanyfox has doubled its good operations, allowing it to occupy a place and reputation within the increasingly globalized underground cyber landscape: after the first confinement, One of his most beautiful works Assembled by the famous Lisbon company Enchufada, produced by A Dantesque boiler room At the invitation of the Parisian group 99Ginger in 2021, and above all, at the same time, he expanded the ranks of the inescapable African diaspora collective Moonshine, with which he published his first EP, Fiery Panzilloin the summer of 2022, before rising slightly in terms of intensity with the newcomer, Sono Azul.
“the chosen”
By leaving his solitary shackles to join the fictional Moonshine Gang, the ones these new lieutenants present themselves as “the chosen” He liberates himself artistically, exploits his full potential, while showing true gratitude. “It was an amazing experience joining Moonshine in 2021, it was special! It meant that my voice meant something to them. He admits it’s too late. “It’s valuable to me. I’m really amazed by everything that’s happening right now.” Early recognition from his peers pays tribute to the perseverance shown by the self-taught producer, who wouldn’t think of filling this role today if one of his older brothers hadn’t encouraged him to tinker with FL Studio when he was a teenager.
This is also one of the points that often comes up when Vanifox talks about his music: his desire to convey motivation so that everyone can reach their full potential, “Leave some knowledge” As he likes to say. With its stunning beats that hit an addictive time signature, Vanyfox hopes to soothe and liberate the minds of its listeners, whether through dance or otherwise. “On this EP for example, there is a dynamic between bouncing and dancing and something very deep melodically,” he says. He analyzes. “in Sono Azulthere’s a message of hope for people who have to manage their mental health, and that was actually the case on my previous EP, Crazy times. (…) This is what I try to show people: you don’t have to hide, challenge yourself when you want to make art. When I’m on stage, there’s always something hidden inside you that you have to try to bring to the surface during the performance.
This “Blue Dream” (translation from Portuguese of “Sonho Azul”, editor’s note) is shaped by Fanifox through sound as directed by David Lynch Silencio Club dream sequence In his masterpiece Mulholland Drive (2001). Either, a sensual dive into the blue abyss of consciousness, where mystery floats tirelessly through its melodies, evoking a magic bordering on ecstasy; Like the possessed interpretation Lorando By Rebecca del Rio in Lynch. Although the young producer does not necessarily share this connection, he does not deny his tendency to compose music in the image of his dreams: “Sono Azul It represents calmness in the mind and its color… and for me this mind is blue because I see all my dreams in this color. I don’t know why but it may be due to nostalgia and memories associated with places and people.
Perseverance and a sense of family
Among the nine new titles that make up Lifeline Sono Azulthe Portuguese-Angolan artist, now based in the Parisian suburbs, expands his scope and manages to surprise within a somewhat primitive kind of look. “People will be able to hear me singing, and putting my voice into this project. There are some fairly hidden tracks that I can’t say much about… but you’ll find a lot of stuff. He announces mischievously. For the first time at one of his official launch parties, he invites other artists, such as for example the Belgian-Angolan singer Nyla on the delicate and melodic song. Phillies final, a pop version of sa batida. Before once again taking down darker paths alongside DJ Lycox, another ambassador of the afro-electro genre in France, the mysterious reality Then the cure Do nada And its roar, sometimes evil, sometimes cheerful.
If Vanyfox’s soothing vocals sound like they come from another dimension, his inspiration is firmly rooted in this world, rooted in his sense of family and strong self-confidence. “There is always someone who inspires me; now, she is my mother. She is the one who inspires me to keep going, and never give up on anything. Thanks to her, I know that there is always a way to do things right. I also have a lot of inspiration that comes from myself, and I always try to be Better than yesterday. He admitted. Always with his gaze fixed on the horizon, Vanyfox keeps calm and focuses the camera lens on his next subjects, before embarking on a tour that will take him across Europe, but also to Montreal and Saudi Arabia this fall. For him, there is no need to worry as long as the basics are reassuring in his eyes: “I’m always with those around me, protecting myself, there’s no pressure. I’m still myself. I stay focused.” There is no room for relaxation for Vanifox, consistency is above all else.
soho azul, Available October 6 (unreleased).
