Gisela João Essentials

Fado fans found a successor to iconic fadista Amália Rodrigues with this charismatic singer's eponymous 2013 debut. Gisele João hits vibrato-laden dramatic crescendos similar to her predecessor in Rodrigues-associated songs like "Quando Os Outros Te Batem, Beijo-Te Eu" ("When the Others Hit You, I Kiss You"). A Portuguese guitar ripples through "Voltaste" ("You Came Back"), with João drawing out fado's melancholy melodies in smoky waves of emotional relief. Fado isn't completely woeful, however, as demonstrated by the perky novelty number "O Senhor Extraterrestre" ("O Spaceman").