Demon is a dark album; shrouded in biblical imagery, deep vocals, and an overall meditative collection of songs that see Guilherme dive into his own struggles with mental illness. That prevailing ominous haunting feeling is felt strongly all over the album, where Guilherme expertly creates soundscapes to craft a sensation wherein he is quite literally at war with his own demons. And for that, ‘Demon’ becomes a project that is so strongly personal, that its sentiments become one that could reach a larger audience. Because, despite all that seemingly grim and melancholic, it is about a problem that is far from niche or unique.
The Brazilian based singer-songwriter was initially hesitant about his own capabilities, fearing that he might not be good enough to actually share his work like other musicians did. It wasn’t until his early 20s that he decided to unburden himself from that weight, and release to the world the music he so lovingly and painstakingly composed. Growing up and till that point, Guilherme spoke and sang in primarily Portugese. But he saw something intriguing in English, not just the appeal to a Western audience, but a love for the cadence and phonetics embedded within the language. Having been in Dublin ever since, he’s never looked back.
There are times in ‘Demon’ where you will be thrown off, scared, or even uncomfortable. Almost entirely composed with just voice and piano, Guilherme explores themes of bipolar disorder, trauma, panic attacks and depression. His own struggles, and his subsequent acceptance of help all compounded to the album’s development and composition.
“It’s not an easy listening work, but I hope to reach. as many people as I possible can. I believe social taboo and stigma are still big issues our society faces when it comes to mental health.”
Songs like the titular track are bound to leave you shaken, if not entirely uncomfortable altogether. Guilherme has a way of unsettling his listener, toppling their barriers down and shaking them to their core. So, if you have an affection for being unsettled, for introspecting on topics that might be heavier than most, and for soundscapes far more experimental and raw than them mainstream has to offer, Guilherme’s music might just be the answer you’re looking for. Check his album down below, and the full visual one on his YouTube channel!
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