‘Amanheceu’, released on July 9, follows the debut album ‘Trovador’, introduced early last year.
The new album by the Luso-Angolan musician is described by the record label as “deeply personal and mature, blending afro sounds, family stories, and the renewal of an artist writing again in his own name.”
Among the ten tracks of ‘Amanheceu’, three have been revealed over recent weeks: ‘Beijo roubado’, ‘Olhar’, and ‘Crescer’.
“With a significant presence in production and instrumental composition, the strong prevalence of afro beats and sounds aligns with his unmistakable melodic style, a crossing of influences that made him the artist he is today: more mature than ever before. Ivandro opens his heart like never before across ten tracks that begin with him but do not end there,” states the record label’s release.
Ivandro accumulates millions of views on online music and video platforms. ‘Moça’, ‘Lua’, ‘Como tu’, recorded with Bárbara Bandeira, and ‘Perfume’, a duet with Brazilian Lumilla, are some of his most popular songs.
In February of last year, during the release of his debut album, he shared with Lusa that, not fitting into a single musical style, he feels like a troubadour.
“I’m not a pop singer because I also do afro. I’m not an afro singer because I also do pop. I’m not a hip-hop singer because I do pop. Not knowing where I fit or what style I belong to right now, I feel I’m a troubadour. I just feel the need to make music to express myself, to tell others what I have to say, and I enjoy doing it,” Ivandro told Lusa at the time.
Self-taught, he “cried for a guitar” as a child, and his parents eventually bought it, leading him to play and sing songs by other artists.
It was in Algueirão-Mem Martins, a parish in the municipality of Sintra where he moved at age 3 from Angola, that he found friends who inspired and motivated him to pursue music, alongside some luck along the way.
His first pieces were shared over a decade ago on his YouTube channel, initially named ‘why not records,’ which later changed to his stage name, Ivandro (real name Joaquim Ivandro Paulo).
Seeing artists like Anselmo Ralph and Justin Bieber onstage left him “dazzled” by how “their music made people feel things, from euphoria to tears. All because of a song.” In those moments, he imagined himself in their position, questioning if it would ever be possible.
At one time, Ivandro was a Jehovah’s Witness; today, he maintains faith, still believing in God but not practicing. The movement’s meetings included singing hymns.
Ivandro’s journey has also passed through television talent shows. At 17, he competed in “Ídolos” and participated in ‘Got Talent Portugal’ two years later.
On his path to his debut album, Ivandro highlights musician Firmino Pascoal, father of also musician and close friend Tristany.
During that period, he set aside the guitar, moved to using a computer, and began “recording people and producing.”
Rapper Bispo, like Ivandro and Tristany, grew up in Mem Martins. He invited Ivandro to join his concerts as a backing vocalist.
Bispo is among several artists featured on Ivandro’s debut album, alongside Van Zee, Julinho KSD, Instinto26, M Huncho, Slow J, Pikika, Vitor Kley, Agnes Nunes, Marisa Liz, and António Zambujo.
Ivandro was also one of the invited composers of the Festival da Canção in 2023, accumulating nominations and awards at the PLAY – Portuguese Music Awards.
