Alessandro Sgarito - Appartenenza

 Released: March 28 

There’s a certain serene beauty in this entire album that I feel results particularly from the excellent treatment of the guitars throughout. While there are plenty of great things to say about the synth work here, it really is the guitars on this album that do it for me. The perfectly sot strum and meandering yet focused plucks give a certain air of tranquility to all of it. The surrounding synths in each track tend to serve this wonderful supporting role that leaves room for the little flourishes without overpowering the guitar itself. You can really hear this theme establish itself very well in just the first few minutes as slowly ebbing and rising pads drone for a bit until the distinctive plucks begin and piece through the haze, while also adding their own fogginess to the mix. 

Along with the guitar treatments, there are irregularly some other additions, particularly on a favorite track of mine, “Neon.” The soft synths and gentle arpeggiated keys set a mood that is later solidified by the gradual introduction of (apparently) a flugelhorn. The quick swells and prolonged notes of this odd instrument work so well and just sound really great in the mix, giving something like an early morning vibe to the rest of the track This instrument kind of returns on “Respiro”, but this is another one of those tracks that is carried for the most part by the slow ebbs of the once again expertly treated guitar here.  

I found the album to be a delightful listen especially in consideration of it audible simplicity. Sgarito does not waste time trying to create something that contains complex layers on top of complex layer. Instead, it is often just two or three elements supporting his soft plucking and strumming. Added to this is the placement of these guitar parts with them scattered specially throughout the mix. It makes the sound feel larger than it is and adds the perfect amount of weight to what we hear. Excellent sonic craftsmanship combined with a heartfelt atmosphere.