Beleza. Mas Agora A Gente Faz O Que Com Isso? by Rubel

"Beleza. Mas agora a gente faz o que com isso?" which translates to “Beauty. But now what do we do with it?”, was produced at home by Rubel and reconnects with his acoustic side: the idea of predominantly using simply vocals, guitar, and strings. A bossa nova and MPB-leaning body of work at its core, the album is a deeply personal and introspective journey, with the focus directed at the beautiful, simple essence of the songs.

Comprising seven original compositions penned by Rubel, the album also contains two majestic covers. "A la Ventana, Carolina" by El David Aguilar is reworked into Portuguese by Rubel under the title "A Janela, Carolina" with the air of a long-lost classic. To close out the album, Rubel puts his distinctive spin on Radiohead's "Reckoner," with the revered Brazilian maestro Arthur Verocai adding to the beautiful, melancholic textures through his string and horn arrangements.

The new record brings listeners back to Rubel's origins, focusing on an intimacy and immediacy through voice and guitar that were unveiled on his debut LP "Pearl" from 2015, and refined on 2018's "Casas." The result is a personal and revealing repertoire that contrasts with his last album, the bold, innovative, and collaboratively focused As Palavras Vol. 1 & 2 from 2023.

Dealing with themes such as the passage of life, time, love, friendships, losses, and gains, the album is rich in delicate and honestly composed songs. The album opener "Feiticeiro Gozador" instantly draws you in. Tender and soul-baring, it's perfectly accompanied by a luscious string arrangement and graceful piano, giving a timeless nature to the track. Elsewhere, a future classic is found on the seductive and cinematic "Ouro," which must be one of Rubel's finest songs. A heartfelt beauty that morphs into a hip-hop-tinged beat sure to touch your soul. That contemporary edge follows on "Azul, Bebê," a drum-infused song that has that MPC sample feel of the golden beatmaker era.

With this fourth album, Rubel is becoming one of the key writers and performers of his generation, on a trajectory heading up to the heights of João Gilberto, Jorge Ben, Caetano Veloso, and the classic Brazilian songbook. He has managed to achieve that rare balance of appealing to both the mainstream and the underground in one celestial and cinematic swoop.

Rubel - Beleza. Mas Agora A Gente Faz O Que Com Isso?
Release Date 17th October 2025
Label Mr Bongo

Tracklist
1. Rubel - Feiticeiro Gozador
2. Rubel - A Janela, Carolina
3. Rubel - Ouro
4. Rubel - Azul, Bebê
5. Rubel - Pergunta Ao Tempo
6. Rubel - Noite De Réveillon
7. Rubel - Carta De Maria
8. Rubel - Praticar A Teimosia
9. Rubel - Reckoner