Bossa Sempre Nova (Portuguese:[ˈbɔsɐˈsẽpɾiˈnɔvɐ]; Bossa Always Nova) is a studio album by the Brazilian singer and songwriter Luísa Sonza, recorded in collaboration with the Brazilian musicians Roberto Menescal and Toquinho. Released on 13 January 2026 through Sony Music Brazil, the album is rooted in bossa nova and features reinterpretations of classic songs from the genre, alongside one original track written by Sonza and Menescal.
Production
Bossa Sempre Nova took shape during the recording sessions for Luísa Sonza's fourth solo studio album, tentatively titled LS4, scheduled for release in 2026.
Bossa Sempre Nova received mostly mixed-to-positive reviews from critics. Positive reviews praised the album for its fidelity to the classic bossa nova style, its organic texture, and its compelling, contemporary reimagining of the genre. Reviewers noted that blending the style with a modern sensibility could help connect younger generations to bossa nova. Conversely, other critics questioned Sonza's fit within the genre, arguing that the singer does not fully align with the bossa nova aesthetic and criticizing her vocal delivery and interpretation of established standards.
Mauro Ferreira of G1 gave the album a positive review, highlighting its faithfulness to the genre. According to Ferreira, Sonza delivers "an album with an organic texture, extremely reverent to bossa nova," eschewing subversive approaches in favor of classic interpretations. He also praised the singer's vocal dexterity in revisiting genre standards and agreed with Roberto Menescal, stating that Sonza proves to be a legitimate bossa nova interpreter. Gabriel Silva of the website DiscoAvaliadoBR praised the re-recordings of classic Bossa nova tracks, even when the album verges on parody. In reviewing Bossa Sempre Nova, he described it as "a chaotic attempt at the Brazilian sound."
On the other hand, Felipe Maia of Folha de S.Paulo gave the project a negative review, asserting that the singer does not fully suit the style. Although he praised the album's instrumentation, Maia noted that Sonza's vocals clashed with the bossa nova aesthetic. Analyzing her cover of "O Barquinho", Maia stated that "there is a clear vocal drive anchored in mannerisms spanning her signature pop style and the vaneira of her origins as a southern Brazilian dance band singer." He added that her "vibratos and rigid phrasings clash with the sleek harmony of the song, famously encapsulated by the restrained voice of Nara Leão."
