NATASCHA FALCÃO

On June 13th, the day of Saint Anthony, the Matchmaker Saint who opens the June Festival season, “Universo de Paixão II,” the new EP by Natascha Falcão, arrives on music platforms.
The fourth EP in the discography of the singer, songwriter, and actress from Pernambuco, the EP continues the project launched in 2024. It is the second act in a love story between Natascha Falcão and Northeastern culture. “Universo de Paixão II is, without a doubt, the fruit of my desire to continue singing the music of my land and celebrate the month of June with beautiful work in the world,” says Falcão.

Her passion for Northeastern roots is reflected in the presence of composers such as Zé Ramalho, Alceu Valença, Dominguinhos, and Anastácia in her repertoire, but above all, in bringing all the songs into the world of forró, including those from other musical styles. “In this new era, Universo de Paixão II surprises with a repertoire that can be seen as more traditional compared to the previous one, but which brings classic axé and pagode music to a forró feel,” he says.
The EP opens with “Beija-Flor,” an axé song recorded by Timbalada, among other artists, in which the voice of Natascha’s grandmother, whom she affectionately calls “mãinha,” can be heard at the beginning of the song. “Mãinha talks about her love for Pernambuco, about longing, about the fear of leaving, but she also blesses me. The song took on a very strong meaning; it’s as if I were singing to her: ‘All your beauty is blue, like the color of the sky.'”

A hit for the group Soweto, “Farol das Estrelas” was already part of the concert repertoire of Natasha Falcão, who grew up listening to pagode. “I’ve lived in Rio for over 12 years, where you hear a lot of samba and pagode. This movement was very strong in the late 90s, and Altay Velloso is a great composer, the grandson of an accordionist. Deep down, he must have forró in his blood, too.” “Banquete de signos,” a masterpiece by Zé Ramalho, received an exquisite string arrangement by Beto Lemos, a musician and composer who has been very present in Natascha’s career and who plays several instruments on the EP. “For me, it’s the strongest song on the EP, full of
symbols (signs) of Northeastern culture, whose poetry, melody, and arrangement transport me to the backlands and sharpen all the senses of my passion.” From Dominguinhos and Anastácia’s collection of inspired collaborations, Natascha chose “Desilusão.” “Anastácia is a pioneer, paving the way long before us.

I greatly admire her brilliance, her voice, and especially the mastery of her lyrics. Thank God she exists and continues strong after 65 years of career, full of vigor and stories to tell. I remember attending Dominguinhos’ last show, in Exu, on the centenary of Luiz Gonzaga, and it was beautiful, moving.”

Rearranged, “Solidão,” a classic by Alceu Valença, closes “Universo de Paixão II.” “Loneliness is what comes after disillusionment, but it’s been with us since birth. It’s painful, but it’s also fundamental,” reflects Natascha.
Together, the five songs tell a story. “I’m mainly narrating my journey after leaving Recife, and the universe of passion that is the culture I come from, my Northeastern experience, my way of speaking, singing, and feeling. I sing forró because I wouldn’t know how to live any other way,” she concludes.