Drawing us in with a textured, padded drum riff, expanding into a dimensional and psychedelic guitar soundscape with cerebral saxophone motifs, FORRM open PALAZZO with intrigue and instrumental precision. We immediately connect with the unique nature of the introduction, which evolves into something more familiar, tapping into notions of Brit-pop as we experience the situational, reflective lyrics, “Wine in my veins and mist in my mind, living my way, but living in style in my palazzo…”
For some context, a palazzo is the word for a large, stately building or palace in Italian. The narrative of the song unfolds as an expression of indulgence, liberations and surrealist escapism. There is a sense of embracing pleasure and excess whilst simultaneously reflecting on what that lifestyle means and also what the world has become. There’s a raw and rather zeitgeist energy that comes up, almost like looking back at a golden era of hedonism and freedom, whilst making a commentary on the present day and how times have changed.
The lyrics are rather hazy and open to interpretation too, which creates the impression of drifting through a lavish world where reality and fantasy blur. The spoken-word monologue adds another dimension and brings the narrative back down to earth. It feels more literal, like the band is stepping outside the song to narrate the experience itself. This is what gives the track a more cinematic edge as well.
We can also hear echoes of British alternative rock in the swagger and melodic sensibility, with moments that would totally appeal to fans of Arctic Monkeys and The Killers. The accompanying performance video amplifies the more unique fever dream sensibilities well. We see the band completely in their element in nature, juxtaposed with celestial visuals and immersive lighting that transforms a literal palazzo into something otherworldly. We could imagine the track in a TV series like MobLand, The White Lotus, or Hotel Costiera. It could also land a sync placement in a movie like Made In Italy.
FORRM is led by Iranian-French artist, filmmaker and musician Firouz FarmanFarmaian, and their wider catalogue, including GALACTICA, JUNKIE WAYZ and NOMADS PRAYER, reflects an ideology that sees music as part of a much larger creative universe.
Needless to say, we are captivated by PALAZZO and the song’s decadent yet self-realized aura. You can explore more from FORRM on Vimeo and Bandcamp.