In an era where artists routinely drop six-figure budgets on studio time, Portouls is flipping the script—recording his entire debut album on a 2021 Motorola Android phone, a pair of cheap Bluetooth headphones, and a few free apps. The result? BIG GRINS, a genre-defying project that blends dark, Johnny Cash-esque vocals with hypnotic trap beats, proving that raw talent and 25 years of music industry grind can outshine any high-budget production.
“This album is about transforming heartbreak into something unconditional,” Portouls explains. What began as pain from a past relationship has morphed into a spiritual, strangely romantic body of work—Americana meets trap, with sly innuendos and lyrics that linger like campfire smoke. The lead single, “Birds and Bees,” is a masterclass in contrasts: hauntingly melodic yet undeniably groovy, with a square-dance-worthy hook that embeds itself in your brain. “Pay attention to the missing words,” he teases. “The jokes are there—just for the adults listening close enough.”
Portouls’ creative process is as unconventional as his sound. Every track was freestyled in one take, with little to no editing—a deliberate rebellion against today’s overproduced landscape. “I wanted to bring back that punk-rock, DIY energy,” he says. Armed with nothing but the Falaco Beats and eMastered apps, he’s churned out 30 songs in two months, each released weekly as part of his American Dream trilogy. The project is a love letter to resilience, recorded in the same spirit as his heroes: raw, unfiltered, and straight from the heart.
For Portouls, the biggest triumph isn’t just the music—it’s the validation of a 25-year hustle. After COVID derailed his previous project, he doubled down, embracing the “most minimal resources” to craft a sound that rivals million-dollar productions. “My family finally sees the artist I’ve always been,” he shares, a note of pride cutting through his usual laid-back demeanor.
Fans can expect new tracks every Tuesday leading up to the BIG GRINS vinyl release (complete with handcrafted artwork), plus music videos each Wednesday. But Portouls isn’t stopping there—2025 is his “discovery year,” with more projects already in motion. “Stay on our radar,” he grins. “This is just the beginning.”
Stream “Birds and Bees” on Spotify and follow @Portouls for weekly drops.
“No budget, no limits—just the truth.” — Portouls