As producer, pianist, and composer Federico Albanese put it, his new album, Blackbirds and the Sun of October, is “about coming home, and reconnection.” It was recorded in his home region of Monferrato in Italy.
The album is beautiful and combines classical stylings with contemporary music and even electro dance beats at one point. “Into the Sun” is perfect for your morning meditation. It blends so well into “Ulysses” that you might not notice the space between the songs. “A Story Yet to Be Told” is like a gentle breeze bringing you intriguing scents you want to find, and it’s an interesting warm-up to “Bloom,” which could fit into a giallo thriller.
“The Prince and the Emperor” brings in almost sorrowful strings to portray perhaps a tragic tale of the two main characters. “Blackbirds” drops those electro-beats, making you sit up and take extra notice of the track. It’s a neat artistic decision by Albanese. I meditated through “Your Spell” and “Adelasia,” and the tracks produced different reactions. The first was great for slowing down my breathing, and the second lit a fire in me.
“The Libertine” isn’t a party track, and it doesn’t exude lust or sex. It’s a bit heartbreaking, as if the title character is trying to figure out why all the pleasure still doesn’t make them happy. “Song for the Village” is a lovely tribute to Albanese’s hometown.
“Sway” is so subtle that you almost miss it. “Re-Sphere” reorganizes your brain a bit with its haunting strings and chilled, almost ghostly piano. The album ends with “Wallpaper of Dreams” and sends you out like a paper toy boat cast across a fountain.
It’s a fine ambient record, a fine classical record, a fine contemporary record, and a fine tribute to his home.
Keep your mind open.
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[Thanks to George at Terrorbird Media.]
