In 2016, the adventurous Brazilian singer/songwriter
Céu delivered her global club phenomenon
Tropix. The album has since developed a reputation far beyond the confines of the dancefloor, as sophisticated pop audiences embrace her integration of pulsing electro, spaced-out samba, and elastic, sci-fi disco. Her earlier catalog paved the way with bold but sultry expositions of Brazil's melodic song tradition and her own preference for rhythmic and harmonic exploration.
APKA!'s title translates as a metalinguistic cry of unrestrained joy by
Céu's youngest son. Though a more minimally produced effort than
Tropix, the euphoric effect remains, given
Céu's treatment of the material. She employs the same crew as last time -- guitarist
Pedro Sa, co-producer keyboardist
Hervé Salters, bassist Lucas
Martins, and drummer/co-producer
Pupilo -- though the set's final track was produced by hot Brazilian production duo
Tropikillaz (
DJ Zegon and
Laudz).
Céu wrote eight of the set's ten tracks.