The Bright Side of the Darkness

Alessandro Cortini is best recognized for his work with Nine Inch Nails. He’s been touring all around the world with the band for many years now. Additionally, he is the frontman for the electronic-alternative band SONONIO. It’s safe to say this Italian musician has certainly kept himself busy over the years. Audiences are probably used to seeing an edgy and mysterious side to him, but Risveglio shows Cortini manages to balance his dark melodies with energetic sounds in a very natural way.

The lead single “La Sveglia” is a track best described as complex, but also makes complete sense. It begins with intense keyboard smears, but shifts gears and becomes a generally lighter sound. Cortini’s musical style can be difficult to describe at times considering he is frequently experimenting with different genres. However, his style as a whole is just extremely rare to find. Meaning, most artists are unable to travel down to the deepest depths of darkness and then transition into the light with such ease. Fortunately for Cortini, Risveglio serves as an example of how great he is at accomplishing this feat.

Another interesting side to this musician is his undeniable ability to make a sound truly shine by adding some little things. For example, “Ricadre” is incredibly dark and complicated for the majority of the seven-minute track. However, a simple touch of the piano turns it into an even more complex track. Dashes of lightness like these add yet another layer to this album, which will be enjoyable to those who love music that gives them a lot to think about.

Risveglio is the follow-up to Alessandro’s previous solo work Sono, which was an album recorded simply with a MC-202 and a delay pedal. With this album, he adds even more instruments into the mix which seems to make a major difference in adding puzzling sounds. As he does this, he makes it seem like the easiest thing in the world. Alessandro Cortini is a talented guy and his latest LP shows his fans he only has more tricks to pull out of his sleeve as time progresses.