What is exactly the Italian new wave? Nowadays, it is more a reconstruction of the English big names, insomuch as musicians getting in touch with their inner Robert Smith, Morrisey and Jim Kerr. However, there is another side of the wave, in which aesthetics and sound draw from the not-so-famous Italian new wave from the 80s, made by artists that enhanced music as an art (Diaframma, Garbo). MasCara seems to mix up this heritage with its members’ influences, bringing on a melting pot coherent in its core, thanks also to the concept behind the debut Tutti usciamo di casa. (We all leave home)
A internal journey that is both personal and universal, the album introduces the evolution of an everyman through a musical background. Among this main new wave atmosphere, the guitar sometimes goes shoegaze, creating some powerful examples of Glasvegas-esque walls of sound (Dorian – Postmodern parte I, I Giorni di Urano Contro). There is not just a dramatic effect, but also the nostalgic touch of Alex Turner’s Britpop and Editors‘ gloomy vibe (Dorian – Postmodern parte II, L’ultimo viaggio di Argo), that gets a bit more Italian in its approach, still keeping an eye on refined lyrics and a studied musical soundtrack accompanying the vocals, also with the use of backing vocals and reverbs (Le città da costruire). The fresh approach of Di gioia e rivolta is quite surprising, in which percussion creates an ancestral atmosphere, in which tribal tunes almost reiterate the concept behind the track (translated Of Joy And Revolution). If Da uomo a uomo can be seen as the least tasty of the lot, trying to incorporate a bit too much in its formula, the exact contrary can be said about La stanza. In this post-prog rock instrumental track of virtuosity is a flavouring of a fascinating blend of music and words.
In Tutti usciamo di casa Italian lyrics reiterate this decadent aura and literary references, suggested also by some of the titles (like Dorian Gray) getting even closer frontman Luca Fusantonio to Marc Almond’s approach with music and lyrics, making them a pivotal counterpoint to the instrumental parts. This album is the best compromise between Italian and foreign tradition, old and new, traditional an experimental, in a music representation of the personal evolution of a young man, ready to go out from his own dimension and face the world.
