REVIEW

The second album from Brazilian shoegaze band terraplana.

Formed in 2017 around Stephani Heuczuk (Ba/Vo) and Vinícius Lourenço (Gt/Vo), who initially connected via Twitter, the band now operates as a four-piece with the addition of Cassiano Kruchelski (Gt/Vo) and Wendeu Silverio (Dr). Their previous release, “Olhar Pra Trás,” was defined by the contrast between shoegaze/post-rock-derived walls of noise and soft vocals—an introspective, dreamlike aesthetic that has drawn comparisons to Slowdive.

On natural, however, a noticeable shift emerges: the twin vocal approach is restructured, with an increased emphasis on solo passages, giving the compositions greater dynamic contour. The album also shows a slight move away from its post-rock roots, placing greater emphasis on guitar work reminiscent of ‘90s grunge.

This evolution is particularly evident on #3 “charlie,” which opens with a riff reminiscent of Nirvana before unfolding into a softer, more delicate melodic layer. The vocal delivery flows seamlessly, while the texture of Portuguese adds a subtle, languid sense of otherness that reinforces the band’s distinct character.

On #4 “hear a whisper (feat. Winter),” a lightly bouncing rhythm underpins a bilingual vocal arrangement, where English and Portuguese lines intersect fluidly—an approach that suggests an expanding expressive range.

In recent years, the band has steadily built international momentum, supporting Deafheaven on their Brazil tour in 2023, followed by an appearance at SXSW and a US tour in 2025. They are also scheduled to perform at the emerging US festival slide away in 2026, headlined by Hum, Nothing, and Chapterhouse, with a European tour forthcoming.

As Brazilian shoegaze continues to gain international visibility, “natural” appears to stand as a compelling entry point—capturing both the genre’s atmospheric core and the band’s evolving musical vocabulary.