“Elevem” is the latest album by Mike11, who has also just shared the music video for the song “Refúgio”, featuring Agnes Nunes and Jaca.
It’s a journey, this new work by Mike11. To the depths of himself, to the heights of his soul, to the darkest shadows of his being and his brightest dreams. That you open the door in this way so that we can be passengers with you on this journey is a privilege that should not be overlooked.
Since he revealed himself to the world with “My Tata”, the banger that crossed him with Jeremih in 2018, Mike11 life has taken many turns. A few in the sun, naturally, many more in her busy and always creative mind. Now that’s where Mike11 intends to go, with a solid set of 9 brand new gems made songs.
It is important to note that Mike11 assures the production of 6 of these tracks alone, sharing credits on a seventh with Jorsonn and G-Vars. Production on the remaining two falls to André Areias – who signs “Flash” – and Scott Storch, the American super-producer with whom Mike worked very closely in Los Angeles: the theme that Storch stamps, “I Own This” it also has a feat. from a gentleman named Ty Dolla $ign. Three huge talents in one theme.
In the lion’s share of the production work that Mike takes on, it is clear that it is not just the tips of his fingers and the heart he carries in his throat that this artist is able to shine. His skills as an architect of beats are all too evident and each of the sonic “houses” he builds exudes luxury from every angle, with every theme sounding as original as it is modern. And of course that special glow that he has at his fingertips is felt in the themes, adorned with melodies with a natural emotional background played on the piano, the viola or the Portuguese guitar, the instrument with which he traveled to America and which got him right there. at the top, on the Times Square billboards, opening that notorious window of America to a new image of Portugal.
On this album, Mike sounds free, he pleads that love is not spoken of when his chest is not moved, he directs words to those who dazzle the spotlight, he confesses that he spends days running away from his fears and in the touching “Mãe” he directs a love letter to who always lit up his steps. This is an important part of “Elevem”: love in all its forms, the truth of someone who only knows how to sing what he has experienced and the transparency of a feeling that started to impress those who listened to him as a child in fado houses, but who knew grow in the world.
There are important guests on this record: in addition to Scott Storch and Ty Dolla Sign it is also worth noting the presence of Agnes Nunes and Jaca in the beautiful “Refúgio”. Jaca also has a strong presence in “Eleva-me”, a warm swing theme that crosses many musical landscapes to affirm a new place that certainly projects Mike into the future.
Between R&B and hip-hop, between fado and echoes of Africa that can only be found in this Lisbon that this artist loves so much, Mike11 presents a clearly Portuguese vision of an art that can and should be universal. He says it’s a love record, a gift he gives himself and the world, a declaration of peace with himself and the busy life he’s always known. It’s not an easy task, but Mike11 is the right artist to do it.
