Lead singers and songwriters Assucena Assucena and Raquel Vírginia first formed As Bahias e a Cozinha Mineira in 2011, but it wasn't until musician Rafael Acerbi joined four years later that the Brazilian group's captivating melange of MPB, electro and twisted, pop melody was perfected. The central, driving theme of acceptance permeates the lyrics of almost every song, tackling identity, gender, bigotry and prejudice. But the music remains persistently listenable as poignant messages are wrapped in rippling bossa nova rhythms, sharp synth highlights and vibrant acoustic guitars.