Fanfarlo
Reservoir

Fanfarlo: promising band of Scandinavian origins now relocated in London for quite some time. In this latest album titled "Reservoir," they are engaging from the first listen, thanks to a mix of Scandinavian pop and American alternative. Moving on to more objective judgments, we can say that they manage to blend exhilarating rhythms and melancholic melodies well. It's nothing but a complex of baroque orchestral sounds coated with wave akin to Arcade Fire.

"I'm A Pilot", the introductory track, immediately reveals the path the band is taking; with "Ghosts", the album takes flight, giving us 4 minutes of exhilarating happiness, also thanks to the trumpet that perfectly reminds us of Okkervil River; the third song, "Luna", similarly succeeds with a mix of string sounds and melancholic yet exciting chimes; "Comets" begins as a ballad that transitions into a cheerful and lively interlude rich with playful sounds, ending similarly to how it started. In "Fire Escape", the "toys" keyboards reminiscent of Grandaddy are immediately noticeable, introducing the track.

We can easily compare Fanfarlo to several bands that have long been established in the beautiful alt-pop and indie music scene, yet they certainly do not lack personality. Their music is indeed a delightful mixture where gallops and marches are almost never missing, driven by brisk rhythms on the percussion and a compelling bass, which only disappear (and not for the entire length of the tracks) in "Comets" and in "If It Is Growing" and in the sweet lull of the concluding track: "Good Morning Midnight".

You might be disappointed to know that until recently "Reservoir" was available for purchase for only 1 dollar. After this, will they also enter that sea of the recording market? Who knows... What to say... In the meantime, let's thoroughly enjoy this "Reservoir," because with it, Fanfarlo go straight to the heart, filling it with dreamlike moments spiced up by others fascinatingly melancholic.