Drawing us in with industrial textured percussion, syncopated sound design and a somewhat chaotic energy, before expanding with a riser into a sense of clarity, Girondolini opens his self-titled album with intrigue and dimensionality. For reference, Girondolini is also known as the talented drummer and producer, July Skone who is also wholly credited on the record.
The opening track is Breathe Deep which features PremRock sharing intricate and assertive prose. We appreciate the delivery, and the introspective words shared. Mid-way though the opus, we experience a cerebral and synthetic moment, allowing us to engage on a deeper level with Girondolini and his purpose as PremRock shares the enigmatic words, “Imma tell you what you’re never gonna find…”
This leads us to The Monk which opens with immersive keys and an astral synth with glistening bells, as Harry Dean Lewis shares the words, “Let me focus on the better feelings inside my head…” It’s clear that the intention of Girondolini is holistic, as he has chosen to work with collaborators who reflect the wider, conscious purpose of the project.
We appreciate the vocal production and the atmospheric sonic design that accompanies Harry Dean Lewis‘s flow on the track as he shares philosophical lyricism.
Next up is Gloomy Monday which opens with a textured soundscape and enigmatic keys with vocal samples. The mysterious nature of the track features psychedelic synth nuances which tease us, but hold true to the title of track with a repeated melody which has a grounding effect.
Friday Afternoon in a Multiverse naturally starts with a panning frequency and detailed sound design with glitched elements, once again showcasing the versatility of the composer, but also cementing the wider narrative arc of the album. The effect of the track is hypnotizing and reminds us of the moments where you trip into another dimension through the use of psychedelics.
YoYo features another highly unique soundscape which takes on a cosmic edge with vocal detailing that sends us astral. We vibe with the more subversive nature that Girondolini shares towards the conclusion of the track.
Next is Multiplexer, which establishes the mood with compressed, rippling drums that gain clarity before we experience vocals from Eloui who sings, “Sometimes, I wonder…” What we admire with the whole record is the cohesive nature of the vocalists, despite all being unique to their own delivery. She asks, “Is this a moment I’ll remember…”, and the existential nature of the piece is tangible. We love the atmospheric production on her vocals, which feels almost supernatural.
AC features DJ and producer Sam Irl and lends itself to an almost ska-hybrid sound, which invites us to dance with the composer. An astral synth mesmerizes us, expanding the transcendental energy of the album.
Doing Fine is next and features the vocals of Harry Dean Lewis, taking us almost full circle as we experience complimentary themes from what he shared on The Monk. We love the self-realized nature of the lyrics and the relatable nature of the message. The conversational monologues are awesome, adding another dimension to the composition.
As we reach the end of the record, Girondolini presents Winter Violins, cementing his cerebral nature with panning synths that offer escapism. The sound design detailing lends itself to a meditative approach and we feel at one with the composer. Crowd noises, glistening nuances and a rising strings evoke emotion and feel cathartic for both creator and listener.
Finally, Collide opens with a refined and peaceful energy before expanding with a highly dimensional e-bass performance which really stands out. Astral textures swirl around us, and we realise how grateful we are to have experienced the intelligence of the record as a whole, which is highly unique and refined. Mid-way though the final track, we experience a drums breakdown, showcasing the core of what Girondolini aka July Skone offers with his exemplary artistry.
Speaking on himself in the third person, Girondolini confesses, “Truth be told, it’s the first solo album of a drummer who’s played an array of projects, such as Gudrun von Laxenburg, Ockham’s Blazer and Praq, toured for years, and then decided to go do his own [thing].”
We love what Girondolini offers, and have added Breathe Deep to our New Music Spotlight playlist, whilst we continue to stream the album, and explore the wider discography of July Skone including his 2016 album, Infinity.