Albums
Puro tarraxo
2017

Release Date: 2017
By Pitchfork
Reviewed April 26, 2016
Nídia Minaj is a 19-year-old producer based in Bordeaux. Yes—her name is inspired by her favorite rapper. Originally from Portugal, the preternaturally talented producer has become involved with the vibrant Lisbon dance scene and its heavyweight Príncipe Discos label. Her tunes run roughshod over the comparatively staid, predictable four-to-the-floor electronic music you’re liable to find all over Soundcloud.
Minaj's latest release, “Puro Tarraxo,” is an insanely elaborate study of organic and fluid Afro-Portuguese rhythms. It clocks in at 85 BPM, a confounding number that fails to enumerate its hypnotic pace. The track is built on two recurring elements: a squeaky and hiccuping bleep of a sound and a staccato chorus of voices. A super slowed-down, almost cough syrup-inflected kick drum rounds it all out, and the differing speeds make it beautifully confusing.