RODRIGO AMARANTE

Brazilian musician Rodrigo Amarante, who fronted Los Hermanos before forming Little Joy with Strokes drummer Fabrizio Moretti, is releasing his first solo album next month on Easy Sound, a new label whose roster also includes Isobel Campbell, Vetiver, and EDJ (Eric D. Johnson of Fruit Bats). From the sound of next single “Tardei,” Cavalo will be a sparse affair featuring eerie folk ballads that could easily soundtrack a cowboy riding off into the sunset. According to Amarante’s artist statement, the record is about embracing the solitude of a lonesome traveler’s life. That said, Amarante isn’t entirely alone on the tune; he recruited an all-star choir featuring Moretti, SNL alum Kristen Wiig, Devendra Banhart, Moldy Peaches member Adam Green, and ace sideman / producer Josiah Steinbrick, all of whom lend majestic, atmospheric cooing to Amarante’s sighing strums. [Stereogum]