''Sabor Overdose no Yakisoba'' is the debut extended play by Brazilian rapper

Matuê Matheus Brasileiro Aguiar (born 11 October 1993), known professionally as Matuê () is a Brazilian rapper, singer and songwriter. He is best known for his singles "Anos Luz", released in 2017, his 2020 album '' Máquina do Tempo'', and the 2023 h ...

. It was released on 5 August 2024 on the record label

Sony Music Sony Music Entertainment (SME), commonly known as Sony Music, is an American multinational music company owned by Japanese conglomerate Sony Group Corporation. It is the recording division of Sony Music Group, with the other half being the ...

, under exclusive license from

30praum 30praum (stylized in upper case) is a Brazilian independent record label founded by rapper Matuê and co-founded by businesswoman Clara Mendes and director Lucas Degas. Established in 2016 and based in Fortaleza, the label seeks to contribute to ...

. It was released as a way out of his record deal with Sony Music. The EP has three tracks, the last of which, called "Reza do Milhão", already had a preview that was posted by Matuê on his

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in 2020. The extended play's title forms an acronym and is, a

criticism Criticism is the construction of a judgement about the negative or positive qualities of someone or something. Criticism can range from impromptu comments to a written detailed response. , ''the act of giving your opinion or judgment about the ...

to the partnership of his record label at the time, SONY, alongside the cover, a

symbol A symbol is a mark, Sign (semiotics), sign, or word that indicates, signifies, or is understood as representing an idea, physical object, object, or wikt:relationship, relationship. Symbols allow people to go beyond what is known or seen by cr ...

ism, representing the singer and several men's hands wearing jackets, and "shoving a spoon down the throat" of the artist, the men being the representation of the record company's executives. The cover symbolizes the artist refusing a new contract with the record company, despite financial offers or even the record company wanting to impose a path for his career.

Background

On August 5, 2024, Matuê released the surprise EP ''Sabor Overdose no Yakisoba'', marking the end of his distribution contract with

due to differences over contractual terms and a desire for greater autonomy in managing

royalties A royalty payment is a payment made by one party to another that owns a particular asset, for the right to ongoing use of that asset. Royalties are typically agreed upon as a percentage of gross or net revenues derived from the use of an asset or ...

and artistic direction. The release strategy has been compared to

Frank Ocean Frank Ocean (born Christopher Edwin Breaux; October 28, 1987) is an American singer and songwriter. He has been credited by several music journalism, music critics as a pioneer of the alternative R&B genre. Ocean has won two Grammy Awards and a B ...

's album '' Endless,'' reportedly asking fans not to publicize the project. The EP includes critiques of the music industry, particularly in the track "Reza do Milhão", which addresses the challenges artists face when dealing with record companies, to be seen as a

diss track A diss track, diss record or diss song (an abbreviation of ''disrespect'' or ''disparage'') is a song whose primary purpose is to verbally attack someone else, usually another artist. Diss tracks are often the result of an existing, escalating feu ...

. This release has been interpreted as a statement of artistic independence, serving as a precursor to Matuê's upcoming album, ''

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'', which was released independently under his record label

Musical style

''Sabor Overdose No Yakisoba'' blends a variety of influences to create a sound that both honors his roots and pushes creative boundaries, exploring themes such as love, violence, fame, and success. The opening track, "A Última Dança", introduces a mix of American R&B and

jersey club Jersey club (originally called Brick City club) is a style of electronic club music that originated in Newark, New Jersey, in the late 90s/early 2000s. It was pioneered by DJ Tameil, Mike V, DJ Tim Dolla, and DJ Black Mic of the Brick Bandits ...

, reflecting on the complexities of relationships, evident in lines like: "'" (). The beats are soft yet rhythmic, supporting introspective lyrics that examine love and loss. In "Honey Babe", Matuê continues to experiment with trap beats, while also celebrating his success and proudness of its Northeastern roots, emphasizing his identity with a catchy refrain, reflected in lines such as: "'" (). The final track, "Reza do Milhão" takes a more resilient approach, with beats that amplify the track’s message of

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and

self-empowerment Empowerment is the degree of autonomy and self-determination in people and in communities. This enables them to represent their interests in a responsible and self-determined way, acting on their own authority. It is the process of becoming strong ...

, stating: "'" ().

Critical reception

Alícia Cavalcante, writing for ''Aquele Tuim'', gave the EP four stars out of five and noted that the EP is "a highly enjoyable listen, despite its brevity", showcasing Matuê's "active involvement in production alongside WIU and Brandão85". Cavalcante praised the standout track "Última Dança" as "a true masterpiece" with "impeccable production, introspective lyrics, and captivating melodies", lauding its "emotional delivery and sophisticated arrangements" for creating "a profound and memorable auditory experience". She highlighted "Honey Babe" as the EP's pinnacle, commending its "sensational innovation" and speculating that it signals "new musical directions" for Matuê's upcoming independent album, ''

''.

Track listing

References

{{Reflist Matuê albums 2020s Portuguese-language albums 2024 EPs Sony Music Brazil EPs Portuguese-language EPs