Deca
Neuronte

Yesterday, I received the physical CD version of Neuronte after I had already listened to all the tracks online. For a while now, I've taken it for granted that Deca's works can hardly disappoint me, but this time I was truly astounded. A sublime record, with stunning sounds and an overall atmosphere that works on the subconscious and becomes a kind of obsession. Hats off to the Ligurian composer, who, having reached forty years of recording career and with over twenty titles to his credit, doesn't rest on his laurels and continues to experiment and create magnificent things. Neuronte is a masterpiece. A mix of dark ambient, psychedelia, vintage electronics with shades of many genres. A mix that doesn't betray the author's established style but also manages to renew it. Seven fantastic pieces.
The album's concept, in fact, is communication or relationship. Numerous images in the booklet reveal it. The track titles do too. It is clear that there is meticulous work at the base, not only from a sonic perspective. Deca has accustomed us - especially with his latest albums - to focus on themes that intersect with important cultural trends. And since his music is instrumental, he manages, even without writing lyrics, to tell stories and generate powerful metaphors and allegories. The cover has clear steampunk hints and a retro science fiction style à la Verne, à la Wells. Indeed, the whole piece is balanced between past and future technologies, precognitive plots, and dystopian visions. And I believe I am not wrong in seeing a reference to AI, but translated into the realm of narrative premonitions of authors like Dick and Clarke.
Neuronte I discovered is a neologism. It is the title of the opening track, which after a cosmic intro grabs you by the guts with a rhythm between tribal and digital that you wish would never end. And when an electric guitar arrives at the finale, the squeeze gives you an orgasm. Then follows the mysterious Serpente Paramentale, with Pink Floydian echoes, water sounds, and minimal electronic percussion. Koinophobia is a short, almost dodecaphonic interlude with a scenario of voices and environmental noises that goes from bucolic to increasingly sinister. Nomenklatura Hocculta is the most fundamentally "Deca" track that recalls his previous works (Onirodrome Apocalypse especially), inexorable, subtle, seemingly tamed, but even here, at the end, a torturous, dissonant guitar shows up to mix everything. Hypnosi Semantica is the most alienating and disturbing moment, a true hypnotic formula that squeezes your brain instead of your guts. Possessione Subliminale (the highest piece along with the title track) starts minimalist and enigmatic before developing a beautiful rhythmic counterpoint that - again - you wish would never end. It closes with Onironaut, apparently simple, linear, almost a showcase of craftsmanship, but with bass that, listened to on hi-fi, makes your guts vibrate. And underneath, it brings out a melodic caress that instead of representing a conclusion, makes you think the album isn't over there.

The released video clips so far are beautiful, very meaningful on a symbolic and metaphorical level. They are certainly made with the help of digital technologies, but they are really well done.
Ultimately, Neuronte is the best thing of 2025 so far for me. An album truly with guts.