In our summer music series, we’re taking you to Brazil, this time with a 100% bossa nova playlist, perfect for easing into a chill mood. These tracks blend jazz and samba, offering soft and sunny vibes that lead more to swaying moves than to wild dancing. Here are 12 tracks to listen to on repeat to get into the summer mood.
Magalenha – Sérgio Mendes
This track, released in 1966, is one of the classics of bossa nova. Both a composer and pianist, Sérgio Mendes is one of the pioneers of this musical genre (he’s also known for the cover of “Mas que Nada” by Jorge Ben Jor), a rhythmic and joyful song that takes us back to the roots of this musical style.
Cherries – Hope Tala ft. Aminé
Hope Tala is to bossa nova what Rosalia is to flamenco. The London-based singer blends Brazilian rhythms with R&B sounds, making her the musical crush of our playlist. Featuring American rapper Aminé, her track “Cherries”—with a must-see video—offers a stunning performance of neo-bossa nova that will stay in our heads all summer long.
Onde Anda Você – Vinicius de Moraes & Toquinho
When talking about bossa nova, you can’t overlook the extensive repertoire of Vinicius de Moraes. The poet, composer, lyricist, and performer born in Rio de Janeiro at the beginning of the 20th century is an iconic figure of Brazilian popular music. He frequently collaborated with Toquinho, a renowned singer-songwriter and guitarist from São Paulo. Vinicius de Moraes wrote the lyrics, and Toquinho composed the music, resulting in poetic works like “Onde Anda Você,” which we never get tired of.
Brazilian Soul – The Knocks ft. Sofi Tukker (Acoustic Bossa Version)
The endless sandy beaches of Copacabana, the Christ the Redeemer statue overlooking Rio de Janeiro, the sunset over Sugarloaf Mountain… Listening to “Brazilian Soul” will instantly transport you to the heart of Rio’s vibrant atmosphere and lush nature. This song is perfect for traveling, at least in your mind, carried by Sofi Tukker’s soothing voice.
Vous ai-je déjà dit? – Helena Noguerra
Is there a French-style bossa nova? Of course, and it’s delightful to listen to. We love the ultra-playful version by Helena Noguerra and her track “Vous ai-je déjà dit?”, which blends Brazilian sounds with flirtatious lyrics –perfect for those who enjoy sleeping in or just lounging in bed (preferably with a sea view).
Bossa – Ahmed Malek
Algerian musician and composer Ahmed Malek, born in 1931, primarily wrote film scores for television and cinema. In 2017, his track “Bossa” was rediscovered on the “Habibi Funk” album by Jakarta Records. Since then, its simple and bright melody has stuck with us.
Florzinha – Tânia Maria
Do you know Tânia Maria? If her name doesn’t ring a bell, you’ll probably recognize her voice. The Brazilian jazz pianist and singer, with a particularly resonant tone and a unique style, had to be on our playlist. While driving on vacation, with the wind in your hair, listen to her joyful and catchy track “Florzinha” (little flower).
Nature Boy – Zoot Sims
When American saxophonist Zoot Sims dives into bossa nova with his orchestra, it results in two volumes of high-quality “New Beat Bossa Nova.” The program includes pure melody to be enjoyed non-stop, from dawn to dusk (and beyond, if you’re so inclined). For the curious, the track “Nature Boy” offers an excellent introduction.
Chove Chuva – Jorge Ben Jor
Released in 1977, “Chove Chuva” may not be Jorge Ben Jor’s most famous song, but it’s one of the most beautiful: a simple rhythm and pared-down lyrics (Chove Chuva means “it’s raining drops”) make this track utterly addictive, and it hasn’t aged a bit!
La chanson des jours bénis – Philippe Katerine
Bossa nova has conquered the world, charming even the quirkiest singers. Proof of this is “La chanson des jours bénis” by the eccentric Philippe Katerine, who delivers a sweet track that will be appreciated by those unafraid of a little melancholy.
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Navegar – Bïa
In the 1990s, Brazilian artists revived bossa nova by fusing it with Afro or samba sounds. This is the case with singer Bïa, who blends Portuguese, Spanish, Italian, French, and English in her songs, releasing a beautiful album of ballads in 2015 titled “Navegar.” We love the title track, perfect for drifting into daydreams.
Afeto – Mayra Andrade
“Afeto” isn’t strictly a bossa nova track, but we couldn’t end this playlist without sharing a gem of Lusophone music: Mayra Andrade. This Cape Verdean singer, now based in Lisbon, continually surprises us with her hybrid songs that mix mambo, reggae, fado, and bossa nova. We love the ultra-stylized aesthetics of her music videos and her sensual songs that capture the essence of summer.
