Nina Maia is part of that rare group of young musicians who are singers, instrumentalists, and producers all at once – and who manage to bring all these elements together with remarkable clarity and self-determination. With INTEIRA, she presents a debut album that reads like a musical chronicle of her life so far. Many of the lyrics were written when Maia was just 14. First tested on stage, the tracks later took their final shape in the studio, where they gained a precise sonic texture.
The album connects Brazil’s musical heritage with a bold willingness to cross genre boundaries – from electronic textures to intricately woven jazz elements. Brazil is not just a homeland here, but an audible foundation of Maia’s artistic identity. Together with her band, she has developed a clear and multilayered musical language that puts her voice firmly at the center. But she doesn’t rely on her vocals alone: the piano and Rhodes parts are also her own, adding an extra layer of personal depth.
Inteira means “wholeness” – and it captures the essence of the record. The arrangements are elegant, while Nina Maia’s voice moves between ethereal, rough, vulnerable, and commanding – further embodying the idea of unity. Instrumentally, the album thrives on the interplay of a band whose instruments sound deeply in sync. INTEIRA draws from Brazilian roots and carries that sound far beyond the country’s borders.
