Late Again 'Caterpillars': A sonic meditation on gentrification born from real-life chaos
07 August 2024
Newsdesk
Late Again creates a compelling blend of indie pop, electronica, and lo-fi in his music. This unique fusion is on full display in his latest single, ‘Caterpillars’, a melancholic yet immersive track that lingers in the listener's mind long after the final note fades.
‘Caterpillars’ isn’t just a song; it’s a narrative brought to life by the very environment that surrounds Late Again. When an entire block was demolished next to Late Again's apartment to make room for a massive skyscraper, the construction noises that followed wouldn't let him sleep for the next two years.
One noisy night, he pointed his mic at his window and the pile driver he recorded became the core beat of Caterpillars. The song tells the story of a person trying to meditate through the chaos of gentrification while also being a part of the problem. With a hypnotic beat with psychedelic trip hop elements, Caterpillars blends two worlds with an aggressive construction beat and a melodic, mesmerizing arrangement.
This beat, with its hypnotic and psychedelic trip-hop elements, serves as the foundation for ‘Caterpillars’, a track that tells the story of meditating through the chaos of gentrification while also grappling with being part of that change. The song’s aggressive construction beat is seamlessly woven into a melodic, mesmerizing arrangement, creating a powerful juxtaposition of worlds.
The accompanying music video for ‘Caterpillars’ is a testament to creative collaboration and shared vision. Produced by the renowned production company Landia in partnership with Evil Twin (audio), Marla (color grading), and Globetrotters (VFX), the video was directed by emerging talents Gui Bohn and Nina Torres. The ambitious production, brought to life over a year of passionate work, was made possible by the longstanding friendships between the creative team.
Late Again’s music is deeply influenced by his artistic journey and the myriad of experiences he’s gathered along the way. Having left Brazil, he traversed multiple cities, collaborating with a diverse range of artists, from Grammy winners to underground grunge musicians. These experiences have shaped the unique sound of Late Again, where Brooklyn’s vibrant mix of indie, electronic, and lo-fi pop rhythms intertwine with the captivating melodies of his Brazilian roots, resulting in a rich, sonic tapestry that defies easy categorization.
Drawing inspiration from a diverse array of artists, including Mac Demarco, Gorillaz, Beach Fossils, Devendra Banhart, Caetano Veloso, and Ryuichi Sakamoto, Late Again’s music resonates with a modern yet timeless vibe that is distinctly his own.
Following the release of ‘Caterpillars’, Late Again is set to unveil his second EP, Absolutely Almost Sure. This new work builds on the foundation laid by his previous release, Migraine Fever Dream, while venturing into a more energetic soundscape, with four new tracks that showcase a crisper production approach.
About Late Again Late Again is Rafael's solo project. Based in Brooklyn, he mixes the indie, electronic, and dream pop rhythms of the city with textures from Brazil, the country where he was born. His lyrics tell stories of a generation in an endless search for a place where they belong.
Working as a multimedia artist, Rafael left his home country and decided to start over in search of something more. He lived in multiple cities and worked with all kinds of interesting people, from Grammy winners to film stars to vagrant friends.
The contrast of opposites shows up in his musical : Late Again draws inspiration from artists ranging from Mac Demarco to Gorillaz, Beach Fossils to Devendra Banhart, and Ryuichi Sakamoto to Caetano Veloso, in an effort to create an indie pop universe that can be merged with multiple genres.
In the end of the day, Late Again's music celebrates its own limbo. Songs too pop to be alternative and too alternative to be pop. Lyrics too ironic to be sincere and too sincere to be ironic. From a guy too white to be Latino and too Latino to be white. These songs have wandered through the years, around the world, looking for a home, just like their writer. And they're not ready to settle.
