Ardent readers will note that our very own Joshua Cotrim of Brazil isn’t just a music blogger, but more so the mind behind his solo outfit Midnight Soup Opera. Cotrim’s vulnerable lyrics and electric sound have spread through northeastern Brazil’s alternative scene, but with the release of Midnight Soup Opera’s self-titled EP, it threatens to break out of its home of Aracaju, bust out beyond the nation’s borders, and spread worldwide.
Cotrim began performing as Midnight Soup Opera in 2023, releasing the debut single “Heaven is a Place” in March 2024. Over the past few years, Cotrim has focused on the live aspect of the project, with electric shows that have drawn packed crowds to hear Midnight Soup Opera’s blend of shoegaze, ‘90s emo, and alt-rock. But in 2025, the band released “William” and “Pretty”, two singles that would appear on the debut EP. “William” focuses on a relationship gone sour, with the narrator of the track unable to let go of the good times. “Pretty” shows the perspective of a person who can’t shake their anxiety, making it difficult for them to be in a relationship.
The two singles previewing the self-titled EP showcase Cotrim’s lyrical aptitude, which has made Midnight Soup Opera stand out among other alt projects in northeastern Brazil. The confessional lyrics explore themes like gender identity, loneliness, melancholy, and resistance, pairing them with dense and intense soundscapes. With powerful music countering the fragility of the words, Cotrim creates songs that connect with a growing fanbase.
Along with “William” and “Pretty”, the new EP contains four other tracks: “Shrek 2”, about coping with pain; “I Don’t Dream”, which uses Peter Pan lore as a lens for escape; “Special”, a straightforward song about manipulation; and “If I Could End”, about grappling with giving in to desire. None of the six tracks stands out: Each of them is just as powerful as the next, and the record beckons you to listen to it straight through.
The release of Midnight Soup Opera’s self-titled debut EP will leave you wanting more, and although the project remains rooted in Brazil for now, hopefully you won’t have to wait long for Cotrim’s music to come to a city near you. Meanwhile, pretend you’re standing in an Aracaju club jamming out to Midnight Soup Opera by clicking Play on the EP below.
Written by Will Sisskind
