Underground’s underbelly: From the USA to Europe to Brazil, discover 4 of the underground’s boldest new releases

With Bijoux Cone, Slim Soledad, Kontronatura and Allan Drak, Vetor Magazine curated a list of releases that present something completely new to the underground scene

Text and interview by Pedro Paulo Furlan

The underground scene is filled with new releases - from industrial rock anthems to trans-centered techno beats, artists are creating sonic landscapes that really push the envelope. As an underground focused outlet, Vetor Magazine searched the international scene for a handful of new releases that present something completely new.

With Bijoux Cone, Slim Soledad, Kontronatura and Allan Drak, the new releases list introduces four different underground singles and projects from different parts of the world.

Below, you can read about the biggest inspirations and the main meaning behind all these projects, while also discovering a little bit more about all these incredible artists - let's explore!

“Don’t Hold Back”, by Bijoux Cone

Photography by @starly.kind

From Portland, the producer, singer and instrumentalist Bijoux Cone released her latest single as an appetizer before a future full-length project. Exploring a more industrial electronic sound, “Don’t Hold Back” is an anthem to trans resistance and to giving yourself permission to exist, even if the world puts up a fight.

What's “Don't Hold Back”’s main thesis?

“It’s really an anthem about giving myself permission to be me despite the opinions of family or public opinion or politics. I wrote the lyrics like a letter to myself, saying you know who you are so don’t let anyone’s opinion hurt you, be strong. But it’s easier said than done, so the song is me trying to get back up over and over and keep trying to turn negativity into beauty. It’s emotional”. 

Photography by @starly.kind

What were your biggest inspirations while creating “Don't Hold Back”?

“My biggest inspirations for the sound was some combination of rediscovering Le Tigre, who I idolized in high school, in combination with my curiosity and love for breakbeat and house music. I’m leaning on a lot of heroes musically but also as a queer person and an artist and as a trans woman. I want to pay homage to my influences and the trans people who suffered before me and give me strength and support and a path to walk”.

“Mapoas Only”, by Slim Soledad (feat. Clementaum)

Image by @figa.link

Born in São Paulo, Slim Soledad is one of the underground scene’s biggest names in Europe. Bringing forward her characteristic mix of more classic electronic rhythms, like house and techno, with brazilian funk, Slim has carved herself a path, and is bringing other brazilian names through it, like it’s the case with her and Clementaum on “Mapoas Only”.

What’s “Mapoas Only”’s main thesis? ⁠What’s unique about you and Clementaum’s partnership?

“The central meaning of the song is to celebrate femininity, sing about these symbols that are connected to it and show everyone the power of feeling like a woman - bringing it all up through the language of music as a state of elevation and belonging. I think that’s an universe where me and Clementaum live, and it’s very powerful to see us unite our differences and similarities to build something that’s bigger than us. Throughout the whole process to create the single, I could feel our relationship shift - and I think that the partnership developed from this trust”.

Image by @figa.link

What were your biggest inspirations while creating “Mapoas Only”?

“The biggest inspiration behind the track is my best friend Luna, that was always saying to me: “Feeling womanly, huh, mãe?” - and, in a way, that phrase kept resonating in my brain, so, I decided I would love to put it on a song. That was the creative start where the music could flourish”.

“Efeito Revirada [Remixed]”, by Kontronatura

Kontronatura is one of Brazil’s biggest treasures of the underground scene. Meeting up with ecuadorian producer Entrañas, the artist built a latin-influenced bass project: the EP “Efeito Revirada”. Now, fully remixed by artists of different nationalities, the project blooms into something new, mixing the signature sounds of Kontro, Entrañas and the guest producers.

What’s “Efeito Revirada [Remixed]”’s main thesis?

“I don’t think there a central thesis, I think what we did was create a criteria and invite people creating bass music in Brazil and Ecuador, where me and Entrñas come from. We wanted to bring them into ‘Efeito Revirada’ so they could create their own interpretations of the songs. Me and Entrañas always wanted to do this remix project, so we found artists who could create other layers of bass music on top of our track - and I think it really worked out because it’s a dancefloor destroyer, in a great way”.

Photography by @roma.romana

What led you to choose these artists for the remixes?

“JLZ is one of the producers I admire the most, to me, he's been a reference in global bass since before I started spinning and producing. KARAN! is a really young producer, but he’s been doing amazing, and I’ve been playing a bunch of his tracks. Entrañas, on the other hand, chose Ene Ese, who’s also from Ecuador and a great friend of his - he’s an amazing producer who brings out a more dubstep vibe, I’ve been spinning a bunch of his tracks as well. The label, that’s from London, suggested we close the lineup with Modu, one of the classics of the UK's scene, which is the birthland of bass music”.

“Pop Gangsta”, by Allan Drak

Photography by @dominiqueiras

From Rio de Janeiro, Allan Drak is an independent artist that unites rap, hip-hop, electronic music and pop into something completely unique to him. A multi-artist, Allan offers his perspective as a black queer singer, songwriter and producer, creating a world where his references intersect into his first studio EP, “Pop Gangsta”.

What’s “Pop Gangsta”’s main thesis?

“‘Pop Gangsta’ arrives to demystify pop music. On this EP, I mix up everything I’ve sang before, there’s moments of rap, R&B, and even a more traditional pop song. I wanted to connect with different audiences but with the sole reason of telling stories about my desires, ambitions and overcomings.

‘Pop Gangsta’ is proof that you can be pop while creating rap and R&B, and it comes to unite every audience - solidifying myself as a multi-artist. When you listen to it, it will help out with your self-esteem, it will get you emotional and even inspire you to follow your dreams”.

Photography by @dominiqueiras

What were your biggest inspirations while creating “Pop Gangsta”?

“This is a project rooted in brazilian culture, which is what I listen to the most. I was inspired by Tasha e Tracie, Duquesa, the girls of brazilian rap - besides my international refs, like Beyoncé, Alicia Keys, Lauryn Hill. A lot of the EP is also inspired by my own experiences besides other artists, which is something that really inspires me - how my day-to-day is something that can become art.

A lot of us queer artists are also trying to build our space in the rap scene, so we have a bigger voice. So a lot of the EP also is inspired by this, this need to open doors and take up space, while telling our stories and experiences, creating connections with our audience”.