Estado Além

Estado Além formed in Rio de Janeiro around songwriter Luciano Mello and guitarist Wendell Santigo, with drummer Caio Rubim and bassist Felipe Roseno completing the quartet. Their debut album 'Brisa' came out in 2009, anchored by the title track that became their most recognizable song.

That first record established their sound - a mix of ethereal arrangements and introspective lyrics that drew some indigenous influences. They followed it with 'Fractal' in 2013, which leaned more toward electronic textures and experimental approaches.

Their music sometimes drew criticism for being too cerebral or inaccessible, but the band maintained their particular approach through those debates. They kept working with the same core lineup, developing their sound across those early albums without much compromise to conventional expectations.