POPS Magellan
“For years Pops has been on the radar of the bass world, but now is her time to break through a shine with Damage. From a bass standpoint, this is one of the most exciting debuts of the year, but for any listener, this is an infinitely enjoyable album that will keep you moving. A stellar first showing from someone who is on the forefront of the future of bass.
– Jon D’Auria, Editor-In-Chief, Bass Magazine
Tracklist
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Damage
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Funk Karma (feat. Swatkins, Artur Menezes, Justin Brown, Chris Payton)
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Misunderstood (feat. Astyn Turr, Justin Brown, Taylor Graves)
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Drive Complaining
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Deep Thoughts (feat. Noa Kahn)
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Misunderstood Instrumental
Watch 'Damage' Live At EastWest Studios
What they're saying about Damage
“Smooth, funky, moody, and fluid to the point of elastic, the vibes on these five tunes make you feel like you might be in a postmodern dance club, a hidden after-hours intimate venue, or a fashion runway in outer space. Sometimes all at once."– Bryan Beller, Bass Player, Satriani, Aristocats
Pops plays with a sense of groove and tone that’s straight-up contagious, it moves you. Her new EP captures that energy perfectly. ”– Josh Paul, Bass Player, Daughty, Suicidal Tendencies
“The bass world always craves and welcomes fresh new voices. Pops Magellan is indeed that, with an obvious influence from the godfathers of funk bass, but pushing the music forward with her own unique style and modern production approach.” –Derek Frank, Bass Player (Shania Twain, Gwen Stefani)
“She’s a world class bass player. Very musical, and funky.” – Monte Moir, The Time
“I’m loving the vibe of this new-age funk Pops is putting down! It’s most def gonna have your toes tapping!! ” – Pastor Funk (Brandon Brown) - The Jacksons, Charlie Puth, Steve Wonder
"Pops is one of those artists you can't slot into one category, but that's exactly why she's great. Watching and hearing her execute her creations is an experience that reminds me why I love music and the freedom it allows" –Tim Dove, A&R, Music Man and Ernie Ball
“Pops writes bass lines that feel classic while also sounding like they’re from a funky distant future. Her creative sound design and the stellar musicians she surrounds herself with on this EP make it a super captivating listen every time” –Zack Cramp, A&R, Seymour Duncan
“Poliana’s superpower is tastefully knowing what’s needed while also bringing her unique funky punky groove and style to the music.” -Peter Dyer, Musical Director (Adam Lambert, American Idol, Sabrina Carpenter, Katy Perry)
"Pops is a force to be reckoned with. Not just from a bass playing standpoint cause she has chops for days…But also as a composer and solo instrumentalist. Pops is the real deal!!" – Dino Monoxelos, A&R, Ampeg
“Once in a while, an artist comes across my path and redefines what it is to create a new sound. The challenge was accepted and conquered. Our accomplishment is nothing short of epic. This project was special.” –Randy Emata, Mixing and Editing, Engineering, Co-producer
“There are plenty of players with chops, but Pops Magellan brings something deeper. She’s got the technique, the tone, and most importantly, the pocket. Her playing and songwriting remind us that groove and feel are still alive. And while a lot of players say they play funk, she’s one of the few who truly makes it feel funky. Plus, she’s cool af!” –Artur Menezes
“Pops is the hardest working bassist in town! From sold out tours around the globe to now dropping her first EP. I’m so proud to be a part of her journey.” –Taylor Graves, Co-producer, keys, (Thundercat, Mac Miller)
“Pops Magellan makes the bass feel like a vessel for something bigger. Her music moves like it came from another world and somehow knows exactly how to reach ours.” — Jody Miller, No Treble
"I met Poliana at an event called Black Women Rock and she was the bassist playing all of the songs that night. We instantly connected because she was kind and PASSIONATE about her craft! One meeting and I feel like we instantly became friends! Wishing her big success!" -Nik West
Brazilian bassist, producer, and composer Pops Magellan (aka Poliana Magalhaes), now based in Los Angeles, has spent over a decade working with artists including Willow, Adam Lambert, Avril Lavigne, Larry Braggs (Tower Of Power), Cimafunk, and Artur Menezes. Her debut solo EP, DAMAGE, positions her as a new-age funk visionary, introducing a distinctive voice as a producer and a bold presence in bass-driven music.
Written, produced, and arranged by Pops, DAMAGE spans six tracks that blend funk, jazz fusion, R&B, grunge, electronic, and Brazilian rhythms. The album balances virtuosic musicianship with broad appeal, featuring Taylor Graves (Thundercat, Mac Miller), Justin Brown (Thundercat), Stanley Randolph (Stevie Wonder), Astyn Turr (Thee Sacred Souls), Swatkins (Allen Stone), and Artur Menezes. The result is a sound that is inventive, forward-looking, and unmistakably hers.
“For years Pops has been on the radar of the bass world,” says Jon D’Auria (Bass Magazine). “But now is her time to break through and shine with Damage. From a bass standpoint, this is one of the most exciting debuts of the year.”
Bryan Beller (The Aristocrats) adds: “From the first beat of Brazilian bassist/composer Pops Magellan’s debut EP Damage, you’re thrust into a world of pulsing grooves, wobbly tones, and breaks and drops that keep you wide-eyed wondering what’s coming next. Smooth, funky, moody, and fluid to the point of elastic... If you want to throw an interstellar dance party, you need some next-gen bass to anchor it. Pops Magellan understood the assignment.”
From Wembley Stadium and Royal Albert Hall to Blue Note São Paulo and The Late Late Show with James Corden, Pops’ career spans continents. In Brazil, she was the bassist for the Adnight TV Show on Rede Globo, performing with artists including Anitta, Ludmilla, and Ivete Sangalo. In the U.S., she has built a reputation as a sought-after touring and session musician while carving her own lane as an artist, defined by groove, tone, authenticity, and fearless creativity.
Her EastWest Studios Live Session captures Pops in full command: a single, cinematic take with Taylor Graves, Sput, Noa Kahn, and Artur Menezes, where improvisation meets precision. The performance is massive, alive, and raw, capturing the energy of a full concert hall in one studio take.
Peers and industry leaders hail Pops Magellan as “a force to be reckoned with” (Dino Monoxelos, Ampeg), “a world-class bass player who makes the instrument feel like a vessel for something bigger” (No Treble), and “one of the few who truly makes funk feel funky” (Artur Menezes). Taylor Graves (Thundercat, Mac Miller) calls her “the hardest working bassist in town… so proud to be part of her journey,” while Nik West highlights her “passion and artistry, connecting instantly with everyone she plays with.”
With DAMAGE, Pops Magellan steps forward not just as a bassist, but as a visionary shaping the next wave of modern funk and bass-driven music.
“This EP is about putting my voice out into the world so that my sound becomes increasingly unmistakable,” she says. “It’s the journey of deconstructing and reconstructing oneself.”
contact pops: magellanpops@gmail.com