Bossa nova may not be the lane you’d immediately expect to find trip-hop innovator Eric Hilton exploring, yet the mid-century Brazilian sounds of his new single “Alma Boa” are a perfect fit for the Thievery Corporation co-founder’s forthcoming LP The Easy Underground. Dipping into a similar well of influences that shaded the downtempo duo’s experimental 2014 LP Saudade, the majority of the album’s tracks—“Alma Boa” included—feature vocals from Argentinian vocalist Natalia Clavier, with whom Hilton first connected on that release.
Regarding the newly released album-opener, Hilton describes his MO as one of “taking the sounds of classic easy listening somewhere a little unexpected.” He notes that the sounds coming out of Brazil in the ’60s have long been an influence on him, with the sultry jazz guitar of “Alma Boa” aiming to “capture some of that warmth and sophistication” in his own, singular way. Yet he also cedes credit for the final results to his guest vocalist’s “unique flair.” “Her voice fits so naturally into the joyful-yet-cool atmosphere and gives the song a personality of its own,” he concludes.
Listen to the new cut below, and pre-order The Easy Underground here ahead of its November 20 release via Hilton’s own Montserrat House label. Hilton will also release the single via a limited-edition 7-inch vinyl with the rarity “Chase the Sun” as its B-side—you can check that out here.
