Atoloi – Inflorescenze
(Sure Thing, 2021-03-23)
The US-based label “Sure Thing” wears well its name. It’s originally a notorious mix series, which also organises epic events in Boston, on fire thanks to artists such as Anthony Linell, Marco Shuttle and Wata Igarashi, and since 2019, it made the leap to become a record label for our greatest pleasure. With only one release per year so far, the least we can say is that the label takes the time to provide – if we dare to say – “sure things” to the scene. After a remarkable first release by Simone Bauer and a memorable second one by the talented PRG/M, the third one was very awaited.
We stay in Italy with Atoloi, coming from Milano, who ushers in the springtime with a nicely evocative ambient-centred album. With the familiar, and deeply cherished Italian artistry, finding its inspiration in the beautiful nature of the country, Atoloi brings floral pieces to life, whilst touching various dimensions along the way.
“Floritura” beautifully awakens this album with the soft chirp of birds, encompassed by steadily building synths, which are seemingly letting out a soft exhale in the latter stages of the set, as a signal for the end of our warm-up. “Felce” takes over our senses, slowly pulled in by the entrancing drum patterns and the forest-like atmosphere, while “Umida Superficie” demands a bit more alertness with its own eerie pulse, accompanied by a sombre, gyrating sound design. “Forma e Cammino” signals the peak of this journey with a more robust ambience, empowered by a linear percussive loop, just to be quelled shortly after by the deeper, more emotive track “Sulle Sensazioni”. The most notable aspect of the next track, “Chiusura”, is its purgatory-like feel, regarding the timeless deep sensation coming out of it, able to blend into any setting, provided properly executed.
“Soffusa (Diurna)” and “Richiamo (Notturna)” seem to be two sides of the same coin, reinforced by the names evoking the day and the night. Despite such an opposite spectrum, both tracks are nicely complementing each other, with the presence of a “new beginning” for “Soffusa”, and a hint of a conclusion to a destination with “Richiamo”.
With the last track “Il Da Farsi” (“What to do” in English), the human presence of the story reenacts itself, without leaving out the bird and floral-themed world which is resonating in the background. This is a lovely final touch to a full experience.
WRITING BY: ABABACAR M. DIOP | 29 MARCH 2021
