Gonzo Mendes delivers sunshine in new funk anthem "Rio"

Emerging funk artist Gonzo Mendes has returned with his newest single, "Rio," calling to mind an overseas trip that is cracking open a window to the sun-drenched soundscape of Brazil. Known for his dedication to putting out a new single each month as part of a year-long project that will eventually result in three EPs, Mendes is constructing and creating an experience.

In a song that draws inspiration from his time living in Brazil, Mendes taps into the city's infectious joy, rhythms, and resilience for an upbeat, funk-driven anthem. Filled with warm melodies, the song explodes into a buoyant energy that captures what it's like to dance on the beach, laugh with strangers, and capture life as it is right now.

The funk rhythm section and the bright, contemporary pop sound give the song a nice balance of old-reminiscent with new-fresh. A reminder that music and joy will always trump adversity. With this release, Gonzo Mendes firmly establishes himself as an artist who paints with sound, each note yielding a piece of his story, each rhythm mirroring the curve of his journey. As he continues his ambitious one-year rollout, "Rio" makes it clear that he's a voice worth pursuing on a micro level, one track at a time.

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