FEATURE:
Revisiting…
Anitta - Kisses
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THE mesmeric Larissa de Macedo Machado…
PHOTO CREDIT: John Parra/Getty Images
is a Brazilian artist better known as Anitta. It is quite rare that an artist from South America is embraced into the mainstream. Still, the majority of artists that are most talked about and supported are from North America or Europe. An incredibly intoxicating and innovative artist, Annita’s eponymous album arrived in 2013. This year’s Versions of Me, perhaps her best album, was released to huge critical acclaim. A modern-day artist who mixes Latin, Pop and Reggaeton, I wanted to look at her previous album, 2019’s Kisses. It got some positive reviews upon its release, thought it did not get as much attention as it should have. I think that more people are exploring the album after hearing Versions of Me. Kisses is a really strong album that does not rely on the listener knowing about Anitta or loving the genres covered. It is an album that is instantly accessible and easy to enjoy. Sophisticated, sensual and hugely nuanced, one cannot easily define Kisses or put it into a pigeonhole. I am going to come onto a couple of positive reviews for one of 2019’s strongest albums. Kisses came out on 5th April, 2019 through Warner Brasil. It definitely elevated and augmented Annita’s name and amazing work. Pop Crush published extracts of an interview from Entertainment Tonight with Annita:
“The Brazilian singer dropped a new record on Friday (April 5) which features 10 tracks—and accompanying music videos!—and blends all her musical influences, including Mariah Carey and Ariana Grande. In an interview with Entertainment Tonight, Anitta revealed why she thinks her album is "risky" and why she took her time with it.
“This album, I mean, I think it's the most risky [thing] I’ve ever done in my career,” she said. "I'm mixing the three languages that I speak, which is Spanish, Portuguese and English.”
The 26-year-old explained that the whole idea behind her new album was to show the world the different sides of her personality. "I'm a very complex person. I have different people inside me but it's still me,” she continued. “I wanted to show everyone that I can be...romantic one day, I can be sexy the other day, I can be crazy, I can be serious, I can be boss, I can be feminist, and I still don't lose my way to be, you know?”
Anitta also revealed that she worked on Kisses for over a year and that each track has a purpose. "All of the songs are really really good. None of the songs are just to fill the album, just to be there, just to play one more song,” she shared, adding that her collaboration with rapper Becky G was very important to her.
“I definitely wanted women from the Latin world to be with me on this album. I think it's important to [support] women," she said. "And to show everybody that when we are together, we are powerful, we are stronger, and [Becky] has the same thoughts in her mind, so that's why I invited her. I really like her”.
Although a couple of the reviews for Kisses were mixed or had constructive criticism, there were those who were more forthcoming of praise. I think it is a superb album that was deserving of its acclaim. This is what NME wrote in their review for a stunning album that draws you in from the opening track on:
“She’s also built enough of a UK fanbase to headline London’s 5,500-capacity Royal Albert Hall last summer, and ‘Kisses’ clearly has one eye on the post-‘Despacito’ English-language market. It features collaborations with Snoop Dogg, Rae Swemmurd’s Swae Lee and Swedish DJ Alesso, as well as Latin pop artists including Ludmilla and Prince Royce. Its 10 tracks – each of which has an accompanying video, Beyoncé-style – are sung in a mix of three different languages. Spanish, Portuguese and English. Anitta has described this as “the most risky [thing] I’ve ever done in my career”.
But thankfully, ‘Kisses’ still sounds and feels like a Latin pop album. The catchy Alesso-produced midtempo jam ‘Get to Know Me’ is the only track sung entirely in English, and Snoop Dogg’s guest verse on ‘Onda Differente’ is enjoyably jarring. “Anitta, Anitta, so glad to meet ya! / I’m big Snoop Dogg, and I’ll be the feature,” he raps, seemingly trying to remind Anitta – who’s previously worked with everyone from Major Lazer to J Balvin – how the whole musical collaboration thing works.
Elsewhere, ‘Kisses’ creates a sleek and cohesive blend of reggaeton bops – such as ‘Atención’ and ‘Tu Y To’ – and aromatic, trap-flecked cuts including ‘Rosa’ and ‘Poquito’. The English-language segments are rarely overdone and won’t cause language tutors Rosetta Stone any loss of business. “Bartender dame otro shot,” Anitta sings on ‘Sin Miedo’, which translates as “Bartender give me another shot” – in fairness, it’s a universal sentiment.
‘Kisses’ ends with its most musically surprising track, ‘Você Mentiu’, a languid, jazzy collaboration with Brazilian pop legend (and leading light of the Tropicália movement) Caetano Veloso. It’s another show of confidence from an album that has no need to break the 30-minute mark: lean and beat-driven; its 10 tracks canter by so infectiously that it’s no surprise Anitta feels like kissing herself”.
I am going to wrap things up in a minute. Idolator were among those who had a lot to say about an album that features ten brilliant songs - performed in English, Spanish and Portuguese. Kisses did reach four on the US Latin Pop Albums (Billboard) chart. I do think that it deserves a lot more success and coverage that it received in 2019. Its songs warrant greater airplay now:
“We do have some favorites, however. The Becky G-assisted “Banana” emerges as an instant highlight. Anticipation has been high for the duet since the “Mala Mia” collaborators first teased it. Vibrant and playful, the rip-roaring banger boasts a sing-along chorus and a video that is a literal work of art. With more than 7.5 million views in its first four days, it’s shaping up to be the album’s breakout hit.
The same could be said for streaming sensation “Poquito.” The trap-inspired, mid-tempo track has already amassed more than 1.8 million streams. On it, the “RIP” siren sings about being irresistible to a partner. “Poquito, it only takes a little bit. Just poquito, to get you hooked on all of this,” she coos. Featuring a guest verse from Rae Sremmurd rapper Swae Lee, it could introduce Anitta to a whole new audience. The slinky highlight pairs well with the Chris Marshall-assisted “Tu Y To.” That video features beachside views and plenty of sultry stares.
The seduction continues on “Rosa.” This emerges as a personal favorite with Anitta joining Prince Royce for a passionate fling. The compelling video brings the relationship to life. In it, they come together for a brief interlude amidst a sea of flowers. Later the New York-native watches as his lover serves serious looks in a room overflowing with red roses. Things get a little flirtier on the Alesso-assisted “Get To Know Me.” Over mellow production, the Brazilian goddess challenges a potential fling to earn her attention.
Empowering album opener “Atención” also demands attention. According to a translation on Billboard, it celebrates women. “This Anitta is full of attitude. She’s independent and likes to exalt other women,” the translation reads. “She preoccupies herself with social causes and believes that her vanity and beauty are in her attitude and way of being.” Those themes come across in the inclusive video, which encourages women to perform breast examinations. We stan a humanitarian legend!
If you’re in the mood for a club-ready banger, look no further than “Juego” or “Sin Miedo.” The latter features one of the album’s most danceable productions and guest appearances from Dj Luian and Mambo Kingz. Its video is a wild feast for the eyes. Rebellious and fun, the twists and turns keep you entertained from start to finish. The “Onda Diferente” visual is equally eye-popping. In it, Anitta and collaborator Ludmilla show out in skin-tight bodysuits.
That brings us to the album closer, “Você Mentiu.” Featuring vocals from Brazilian legend Caetano Veloso, the gentle offering is something of a sonic outlier. However, it effectively brings Kisses to a conclusion. And the accompanying video, a black-and-white interlude, works just as well. Lush with potential hits and arresting visuals, Anitta’s ambitious release is a winner from beginning to end. With any luck, it will put the superstar one step closer to global domination. Give the collection a spin below and let us know what you think”.
I only discovered Anitta’s music early last year. I think Versions of Me has brought her into the mainstream – almost a decade after her debut came out. Maybe Kisses was overlooked by some as she was at the start of that trajectory and was not known by a massive audience outside of her native Brazil. Kisses is an album that has very few weak moments and is made essential by Annita’s incredible vocals and personality. The wonderful Kisses still pops, sizzles and swings…
THREE years later.