Brazilian guitarist Kiko Loureiro, renowned for his work with MEGADETH and ANGRA, has recently shared the Leo Liberti Films-directed music video for his new solo single, “Talking Dreams”. This track is a part of his latest solo album, “Theory Of Mind”, which was released in November.

Unveiling the Poignant Tale

The official YouTube description of the “Talking Dreams” music video presents a poignant narrative. It tells the story of a dancer confined to the shadows of the stage. Despite her soul longing for the spotlight, she is entangled in mundane tasks, filled with dissatisfaction as she tries on costumes that never seem to fit. Meanwhile, Kiko Loureiro stands on stage with his back turned to an absent audience, immersed in a performance that goes unseen and unheard. In an alternate timeline, the dancer moves in reverse, her graceful motions rewinding through time.This narrative serves as a metaphor for the human journey. It reflects how we often ignore our true purpose, innate gifts, and deepest calling. We live as spectators in our own stories, wearing roles that don't resonate and rarely stepping forward as the protagonists of our lives. In the climactic moment, the dancer faces the reality of her own mortality. In desperation, she pursues the dream she had always longed for, only to realize it is too late. Life, with its own rhythm and tempo, waits for no one.The video's retro aesthetic evokes the theatricality of existence, a grand spectacle where we are often cast in parts we never chose. It's like a movie in which we live as characters we don't like and almost never as the protagonists.

The Concept of “Theory Of Mind”

When Kiko set out to write “Theory Of Mind”, it felt more like an exploration than a project. Music has always been about uncovering the hidden layers of thought and emotion for him, and this album took him into new territories where psychology and technology intersect with the core of what makes us human.The concept of “theory of mind” is not new. It's a psychological term used to describe our unique ability to recognize and interpret the mental states of others. We use it daily, often unconsciously, to navigate the social world, empathize, and predict what others might feel or think. When applied to those who experience life differently, where “theory of mind” may not come naturally, the gaps in understanding can be bridges to deeper ways of seeing the world.This album seeks to capture that complexity - the struggle, the beauty, and the unknown that comes with interpreting the minds of others. Kiko has seen this firsthand in his own life and through people close to him. Watching someone struggle to connect with others on an intuitive level or seeing how people are often misunderstood because they process the world differently has shaped his thinking. How do we understand those whose minds work in ways we can't immediately grasp? How do they understand us? These questions became a driving force behind the album. He wanted to reflect on those personal experiences musically, creating an emotional landscape where the listener could step inside that journey, even if just for a moment.

The Future of Technology and Music

We are on the verge of a new era where machines, specifically artificial intelligence, are approaching what scientists refer to as “theory of mind”. This marks a moment when AI not only calculates and processes information but begins to perceive, empathize, and interact as humans do. What intrigues Kiko is how AI, now convincingly mimicking human understanding of mental states, even outperforming humans in “theory of mind” tests. It's one thing to create music that evokes human emotion, but when a machine can understand and resonate with those emotions too, it raises profound questions.Imagine a world where technology not only responds but feels. Each track on the album is a chapter in this story, and Kiko hopes listeners feel the evolution. The opening song begins with an intricate awakening motif, almost like the first realization of self-awareness, like when a child first grasps that other people have thoughts, emotions, and experiences separate from their own. The music builds from there, layering with complexity, much like how we learn to navigate the minds of others - tentative at first, and then more certain, with moments of tension and harmony.There's a rhythmic pulse throughout the album that represents our shared essence - the need to connect and feel understood. Kiko incorporated melodies and counter-melodies, verses and choruses, peaceful and aggressive, dissonant or consonant to mirror the interplay of thoughts in dialogue, where communication is imperfect but still profound. The tension and release echo the internal conflicts we all experience - wondering if we truly understand others or if we're just projecting our own thoughts onto them.There's a vulnerability in the tracks' melodies, a fragile but fierce will to connect. In a way, it's a meditation on empathy, on the effort it can take to truly see someone for who they are.Using AI as an inspiration for some of the album's themes might seem abstract. As he wrote and composed, Kiko kept coming back to the question: What happens when machines learn to understand us on an emotional level? When we teach them to interpret our mental states? Does it make them more human, or does it reveal more about what it means to be human ourselves? Should he let AI start making all the music? What about him? How can he express himself?

Kiko's Musical Journey and Collaborations

In November 2023, Kiko announced his decision to “extend” his absence from MEGADETH's touring activities. He didn't want to “hinder any of the band's plans or the hard work of all the incredible people involved in the tour”. In September 2023, he revealed that he would sit out the next leg of MEGADETH's “Crush The World” tour to stay home with his children in Finland.One day after Kiko's announcement, band leader Dave Mustaine released a statement expressing his love and respect for Kiko and fully supporting his decision. He described Kiko as “a top-notch professional, a maestro” and thanked him for his dedication and hard work over the past nine years, helping the band achieve a Grammy on ‘Dystopia’ and the additional awards on the latest record ‘The Sick… The Dying…And The Dead’. Mustaine added that he couldn't have done it without Kiko Loureiro.MEGADETH played its first concert with Kiko's replacement, Teemu Mäntysaari, on September 6, 2023 at Revel in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Teemu Mäntysaari, 37 years old and born in Tampere, Finland, began playing guitar at the age of 12. In 2004, he joined the band WINTERSUN and has also been a member of SMACKBOUND since 2015.Kiko officially joined MEGADETH in April 2015, about five months after Chris Broderick's exit from the group.In a recent interview with Japan's Young Guitar, Kiko was asked about the possibility of a future guest appearance with ANGRA. He responded that in the last two albums from ANGRA, while not being in the band, he did record a guest solo. He was touring a lot and had small kids, so he didn't want to travel more for a guest appearance. But it might be in the future as he is friends with everyone and has a great history with ANGRA. The same goes for MEGADETH. He is still friends with everyone and doesn't want to burn bridges. He is proud of all the albums he recorded with ANGRA and MEGADETH, the concerts and tours they did together. He is happy to do guest appearances, record a solo, or just hang out as he considers them friends and family and shared many great moments with them.