NTGMX: the pulsating rhythm of Carlos from the Complexo

In its deluxe version, with 10 tracks - 5 remixes and 5 unreleased - CDC brings a different feeling. Its surroundings influence it and it felt the need to externalize it through music: its unique and energizing beats captivate the audience with each track.

According to him, anger was the guiding thread for this album. Not that it's something negative - for an artist like Carlos, his mastery shows in every choice of instrument and its manipulation. Furthermore, the collaborations cannot be overlooked, after all, they are one of the first steps to be taken by him.

We had a chat with Carlos from Complexo about his love for music, the new deluxe album, his collaborations, tones, and future projects. Check it out below:

1. Where did your love for music come from? Was there a moment or spark that ignited this within you?

I believe that in adolescence the musical influence of my daily life along with my love for listening to music awakened my almost uncontrollable desire to make music;

2. Your first album, NTGM, from 2023, is something much more emotional and sentimental. This time, what do you think is the guiding thread of Deluxe - NTGMX?

The key word for this second part of the album is “Anger.” I wanted to convey a more aggressive, pulsating feeling. My year in 2023 was very complicated, with losses and difficult events to understand. I needed to externalize this feeling through the music.

3. Did the songs of the Deluxe already exist or were they made later - according to the audience's response or maybe even from your intention to continue the already constructed narrative?

Some already existed, but they were still embryonic ideas. The deluxe began to acquire a “personality” according to the evolution of the construction of the songs.

4. How did you choose the collaborations that would be part of this Deluxe?

Usually, the collaborations are one of the first things I think about. I note everything down on paper or in a notes app and start building from there. This time I think I was able to gather several artists that I admire and love. I was very happy with the result.

5. How does your creative process happen for a project? Do you first make standalone tracks and then create a guiding thread or do you create a concept and make the tracks from that?

I usually dive around a concept first and think about what I want to say. Then I think about the feeling I want to convey with the songs and finally start building the tracks. It’s not a very natural process, but it has worked for me.

6. Do you prefer to produce at home or be in the studio, surrounded by people?

I love having moments alone at home, with my process, but I enjoy these moments with the team in the studio; I think ideas flow a lot better.

7. You consider yourself a music producer, who floats between various genres. How does this choice or preference for specific elements, like tones, textures, subgenres, instruments, and collaborations for a certain project work?

I always try to visualize where I want to go before the process starts. I think that makes the process easier.

8. For me, one of the things that stands out about you as a producer is your choice of tones. What is the process to reach them? Is it something more spontaneous and feeling-based or do you already see the sound you want and manipulate the instruments to achieve it?

I like to have moments where I let these choices be more free. I use the instruments and objects or samples that are in my daily life in the production. For example, I sampled a lot of videos I saw on TikTok. But I also like to plan exactly the tones I want to use in specific songs.

9. How are you being received by the international audience, given that you are on tour in Europe for a few days? Do you feel that for them, your sound is different and unique from what is found abroad?

I think it’s a great opportunity to bring sounds of people close to me that I admire in Brazil. Every time I play a sound of mine or someone from Brazil, the audience here loves it very much!

10. Your list of collaborations is immense. But if you had to choose 3 names you haven't worked with yet, who would they be? And why?

Hard question; I could list over 100 names here that occupy the same position on my wish list. But I think three people I would really like to do something with at this moment are: Arthur Verocai, Kelela, and Matuê. Yes, they occupy very different places in the musical scene, but each of them captivates me in different and incredible ways.

11. What can we expect from future projects, soundscapes, textures? What are your expectations for this year and the next?

I am planning some singles for this year and maybe an EP. I want to do different things and perhaps rescue a bit of my origin from when I started. No more albums this year. Next year, who knows?!

General Credits: Creative Direction @lucasokuda
Photography @rvwoz
Executive Production @kitofuu
Assistant Direction @___anabia___
Assistant Photography @ressumbrar
Editing: @rvwoz
Research @jumontanhaa
Styling @saraiva.gabriel_
Beauty @chicasintetaz
Production: @jumontanhaa
Mgmnt: @call.romy
Studio: @aaacaso.ooo
Thanks: @clarawatanabe @aaacaso.ooo @kevinkinno @ressumbrar Cover Credits: Artist: @carlosdocomplexo
Creative/Exec Direction: @gabe_ _lima @gustvovieira
Director of Photography: @ressumbrar
Assistant Photography: @wall404
Executive Direction: @_isabelola
Executive Production: @kitofuu
Beauty: @almanegrot
Retouch: @vwretouch
Label: @jointmusic.co