Idramante
Nel Mio Viaggio

For their debut album, Idramante made some unconventional choices. Instead of committing to a specific musical genre, perhaps leaning towards the trendiest sounds of the moment, they decided to set no limits and embrace eclecticism.

After all, their vocation, as clearly revealed by the album's title, is one of a journey, of exploring in all directions. This approach seems to have yielded good results, as "Nel Mio Viaggio" is an eclectic work but is held together, not only by the album's theme, but also and above all by Anna's distinctive voice, colorful and slightly rough. The singer is also the author of the lyrics, which offer a youthful and very personal view of the world, tinged with melancholy.

Especially striking is the powerful outburst of "Gridami", a track balanced between the rock of Elisa, vocal styles reminiscent of Carmen Consoli, and Floyd-esque sounds. At the end, it really seems as if Anna is dissolving from the shot of a desolate beach in winter, like a sandcastle washed away by the waves. Often, the psychedelia emerges from the fingers and minds of Massimo, the guitarist, and Andrea, the keyboardist and multi-instrumentalist, both authors of the album's music. Both the mentioned "Gridami" and "Strade", an indie ballad vaguely reminiscent of Keane and Coldplay, and "Nascono Soli", the lysergic and unsettling closure to the album, are indeed psychedelic. Almost to suggest that Idramante could surprise us one day with effects far more special than those they have chosen to showcase here.

The rest of the work leans more towards ballads, as is the case with "TGV", at the start, dedicated to a young and delicate Paris, recalling the atmospheres of De Gregori and Mannoia. We also highlight "Uomini", a deliciously catchy gem, potential single worthy of the powerful Irene Grandi, and the title track "Nel mio Viaggio", which effortlessly transitions from new age synths to Knopfler-esque guitar solos.

The album, when listened to in one go, is enjoyable, and releases active principles with each further listen. The overall result is that of quality auteur pop: Idramante gives the impression of having played and sung for fun without having to follow any impositions. After all, they have not tied themselves to any label, remaining independent to the core. Hoping to see them live soon, we also wish them to return to the studio, perhaps equipped with that extra cunning that could have given "Nel Mio Viaggio" that certain something catchy it somewhat lacks. Although it wouldn't surprise us to hear some of these tracks circulating soon on the radio...