CSS

CSS (Cansei de Ser Sexy) emerged from the vibrant São Paulo underground in the early 2000s, initially gaining traction through the Brazilian internet portal Trama Virtual. Their sound is a quintessential example of the 'New Rave' or 'Dance-Punk' movement, blending the aesthetic of art-school punk with the rhythmic structures of electro-house.

The band's identity was forged in irony, famously taking their name from a Beyoncé quote about being 'tired of being sexy,' which they repurposed as a critique of celebrity artifice. Their international breakthrough came via Sub Pop, making them one of the few Brazilian indie acts to achieve significant mainstream success in the US and UK during the 2000s. Musically, they are defined by the production of Adriano Cintra, who utilized minimalist electronic arrangements and aggressive bass synths to create a 'cheap-chic' sonic palette. Following Cintra's departure in 2011, the band's output slowed, but their 2019 reformation solidified their status as cult icons of the blog-house era. They remain a critical reference point for the intersection of Latin American indie and global electronic pop.