Garbo
Nel vuoto

THE REVIEW

After eight years since Fine, in collaboration with Luca Urbani, Renato Garbo returns with a studio album, featuring half songs and half electronic music.

Nel vuoto represents the great return of an almost cult singer-songwriter.

Come pietre follows a simple harmonic progression of synth and is a good debut. "Once words were stones now they are vapor..."

The title track is truly distinct, both in lyrics and music. Note that "nel vuoto" is also sung in the previous track, creating a continuum.

Mai più also stays on the same tracks, while Il mondo esplode is decidedly more rock than pop.

At this point comes, in a new version, Sembra, a song from La moda, a 2012 album.

Then there are three tracks of pure experimental electronics, with minimal lyrics.

Coscienza brings to mind the Battiato of Joe Patty's Experimental Group, and the singing arrives only at the fifth minute.

To Mars instead is sung in English, but here too the electronics are plentiful. To conclude with Contatto, another six-minute piece, in some ways similar to Coscienza but with distorted vocals.

It is a three and a half-star job. Very pleasant and "quick" to listen to.

I know and love all his Emi and Polygram phase from 1981/1988 and afterwards the Blue-Yellow Electric-Glass Trilogy.

I appreciate his never selling out, continuing since 1990 an independent path from commercial and television music.

For this, I say: welcome back Renato and Merry Christmas to everyone!