I just spent three weeks in Porto. A place that dropped me right back into Berlin, circa 2015. Back to the rowdy streets, the artsy (and very broke) flings, späti beers, shameless “I might still be drunk” office struts, and rolled tobacco. Moving to Berlin was the best decision I ever made, followed by a near-decade of questionable ones.

Porto brought back all of the memories. The creative scene, the strangers that quickly became familiar faces, the terrace at Aduela — a smoky corner café that’s always loud, packed, and flirty. It’s where black-clad crowds drink cheap wine until closing. Myself included.

A week in, I found BermudaCal. And his EP became the sound of the city.

His music is soft and soulful, yet gritty. Swaying across genres, but intentional. Like Porto.

Across six songs, BermudaCal makes it clear he’s deeply musical. Multi-hyphenated.

When I first pressed play on PULSE, it started with a subtle head nod. Oh-kay bars. Oh-kay beat. And then the French-lady poetry break cut in, pulling the track into a full drum and bass moment that had me swearing out loud.

“Yooo, this is so fucking GOOD,” to be exact.

Now, that’s a well-crafted song. Just like the other five.

PROMISE ME YOU’LL BE ALRIGHT is the one I need to hear live, surrounded by guys in hoodies rapping along to the chorus.

SILVER LINING is laidback and warm, with horns in all the right places.

GOD is giving early Kendrick.

FORGOT WHAT IT’S LIKE IN HEAVEN was the perfect backdrop for drives out to Matosinho, fingersnaps included.

IF I COULD FLY opens with warm vocals before melting into something springy and light, the kind of track you’d picnic to on a red gingham blanket.

I’ll leave you to listen.