Navarro
Branded On My Skin

Three years after the release of the EP "Parallel Lines," which launched them onto the international rock scene, the Navarro band releases their first album "Branded On My Skin". Creators of very radio-friendly melodic rock, the five had no major problems establishing themselves in North America and Germany—markets where trademark and quality are always in demand, given the overabundance of bands playing this genre; now, thanks to a more extensive distribution, they have the chance to make a significant impression on our home audience as well.

Branded On My Skin offers a straightforward and solid glimpse into the Navarro style. An album focused on the themes of love and passion. Stories of real life, of sweat, adrenaline, hard work, and of young people who were given nothing but a dream to nurture day by day.

The album opens with "Everything Of You", a song in which an inspired John Paul Bellucci expresses all his Mediterranean roots with dreamlike phrasings over a striking guitar riff. The final solo is outstanding and reminiscent of vintage Knopfler style. The second track brings in the artillery: "Cold Night Love Affair", the album's lead single, climbs up a powerful guitar riff reminiscent of The Darkness and leaves an imprint with an immediately catchy chorus. Despite a few minor flaws, the leader Max Philip Navarro's vocals demonstrate great maturity for his young age.

With "Faraway Dancers" and "Angel", the mood first becomes more nostalgic, then irreparably sweet, and finally regains altitude and vigor with the paradigmatic "All I Want Is Everything". "Don't Walk Away" brings to mind easily engaging pop atmospheres, but "Blame It On Love" quickly picks things up; and it is precisely at the end that the album delivers its best with two high-level singles: "On The Elephant Back" is the mainstream offspring of Angus Young's riffs, while the sweet title track bids farewell to the listener, closing in perfect harmony an album that every melodic rock enthusiast should own.