Zopelar - Call It Love (2025) [Hi-Res]

São Paulo-based DJ/producer Zopelar returns to Steven Julien's Apron imprint with another stacked set of lounge-y synth boogie for fans of DāM-FunK, Cameo or Julien's more recent gear.

You've gotta respect Pedro Zopelar's dedication to the game. Over releases for labels like Soul Clap, Clone, Tartelet and others, the Brazilian mainstay has defined an era-accurate signature "retro-futuristic-funky-groovy" style that melts classic swingbeat with boogie, funk and electro - basically the kind of gear that Steven Julien's been rallying Apron around for the last decade. And 'Call it Love' is Zopelar's lap of honor; there's nothing new here, but everything's been produced with such panache that its hard to sniff at. Lead single 'We Can Make It', featuring Brazilian singer Ashira on vocals, is a smash hit from another universe, with sleazy Otherpeopleplace synths and rubbery bass stings, while 'Highness' spikes canned '80s funk with effervescent new age pads and Not Not Fun flutes.

To be honest, we're happy swerving 'Je t'aime', featuring Zopelar's duo with French vocalist Loïc Koutana and Amsterdam-based producer Retromigration, but 'Call it Love', with Virginia rapper hernbean5150 sounds like a lost MF DOOM demo on half speed. Needless to say, if you're into Hi-Five, Guy, Mac Band or New Edition, this'll scratch the itch.

Tracklist:
1-1 Zopelar - 33 [2:42]
1-2 Zopelar - Highness [2:45]
1-3 Zopelar;Ashira - We Can Make It [3:30]
1-4 Zopelar - Back and Forth [4:40]
1-5 Zopelar - Touch Me [4:52]
1-6 Zopelar - Reason Why [6:14]
1-7 Zopelar;Retromigration;L’HOMME STATUE - Je t'aime [5:49]
1-8 Zopelar - Pixta [5:00]
1-9 Zopelar - 2202 [6:10]
1-10 Zopelar;Hernbean5150 - Call it Love [4:06]
1-11 Zopelar - Hydra [2:35]