Portuguese artist Ana Lua Caiano evokes familiar memories through unfamiliar sounds. Striking percussive rhythms and impelling vocals carry us through her EP Se Dançar É Só Depois. The recurring synth sounds are at times dark and somber, at others bright and vibrant enhancing the depth of the composition. Despite the common ground of the rhythms and choruses, each song maintains its own tempo, has its personal drive, and tells its own story. Throughout the EP, the sound artist remembers and retells tales of Portuguese folk music. We hear electronic elements combined with the use of traditional Fado instruments and Portuguese choral harmonies and canons. The synthesizer interruptions come as a surprise and yet embed themselves perfectly within the folk tunes. As a multi-instrumentalist, Ana Lua Caiano plays almost all of the instruments herself, from vocals, various percussive instruments, bass drum and synthesizers. The most striking element of her music, apart from the vocals, are the drums, which often have a marching character. Their driving beat triggers a variety of emotions in the listener, even a certain unease and hecticness. Perhaps these songs are not intended to make us feel good. Rather, they force us to listen and observe.
The six songs of the EP blend into each other while listening. Only, the headlining track Se Dançar É Só Depois in the middle of the record stands out noticeably. However, the joint atmosphere of the EP has nothing monotonous about it, but rather gives us a sense of a holistic work of art. From this unique compound, Ana Lua Caiano creates songs and compositions that we may not have heard before. In doing so, she temps us to join the search of new sounds and stories.