Rio de Janeiro‑based musician Paulo Metello presents Normandia, his third solo album. Following Liquid Sky (2019) and Saudades, Memórias & Sonhos Lúcidos (2023), this new body of work both consolidates and expands his sonic identity within contemporary indie and post‑punk. Comprising twelve original tracks, the album unfolds as an emotional journey between hope and doubt, alternating through atmospheres of introspection, tension, and redemption.

On Normandia, Metello deepens the signature aesthetic of his career while taking a marked step towards a more analogue, organic and diverse sound. Electronic elements appear more discreetly than on previous releases, giving way to raw, direct instrumentation. The songs shift naturally between indie and post‑punk, while also incorporating less predictable elements: experimental passages, acoustic interludes and genre‑defying arrangements coexist with tracks built on strong melodic appeal and striking choruses.

The album is anchored by a conceptual tension between the sacred and the profane — a theme that permeates both lyrics and ambience. Within this clash, hope emerges rooted in transcendent values, contrasted with immanent passions and earthly impulses. This duality lends the record a poetic, spiritual and at times philosophical weight that reaches beyond surface aesthetics, shaping Normandia into a deeply reflective work without sacrificing its sonic energy or its connection to tangible reality. As the old maxim goes: head and heart in the sky, feet on the ground.

Sung in both English and Portuguese, the album reveals meticulous attention to melodic construction. Melody plays a central role, shifting between leading the emotional narrative and acting as a counterpoint to the harmonic and rhythmic density of the instrumentation.

The record also features a special appearance by KK Reis, who not only shot the album's photography but also contributes distinctive, atmospheric vocals on three tracks. Her presence extends further through the use of a hand‑crank music box — a unique sonic element that reinforces the album's playful, sensory character.

Normandia was released via the Rio de Janeiro‑based independent label Paranoia Musique. Link