Nice
Nuova Babele

This Milanese trio known as Nice represents what can be defined as anti-commercial in every shade. Let’s start with their look: made up of suspenders, acrylic suits, and very bright colors, certainly carefully designed on their part but definitely unconventional compared to 99% of today’s bands who dress impeccably. Let's continue with their way of presenting themselves, which is also well-devised and consists of direct proclamations that highlight the strengths and weaknesses of the main characters without hiding, in a sincere manner.

The music. On this point, Nice surely give their best, driven by a punk spirit that has led them to courageous choices that have been beneficial in "Nuova Babele." Fundamentally, the most popular term regarding their proposal is indie-rock, but what is there of this type of music in the band's DNA? Very little, to be honest; the trio loves speed, rough and poorly produced sounds, chaos. These are elements they have introduced in the ten songs of this LP, structured intelligently, without emphasizing a single element but strongly focusing on the overall product, without any highs and lows. At first listen, it may seem hostile, almost inconceivable when compared to today’s records; however, with a more careful reading, insights emerge that will give Nice new energy in the future: there is math-rock, electronics, old-fashioned punk-rock, and some rock-oriented themes that are quite pleasing. A tangle of very different sounds, a huge container of ideas, this "Nuova Babele" that has borne good fruit.

Despite being debutants and very young, these three characters have managed to write a quality album where the lyrics take on psychedelic nuances as they journey their own path without any logical connection, and where the lead singer's sharp tone hits the mark. The fact that they present themselves in Italian is undoubtedly an advantage both for the authors and for the listener given the unusual way of expressing themselves. Unfortunately, this quality is not found in the recording, which is decidedly poor and does not do justice to the excellent songwriting work done by the protagonists. A flaw that must be erased for the future, given the very high potential expressed. Therefore, congratulations to Nice, who in "Nuova Babele" offer rock lovers ten good reasons to still believe in the more passionate and genuine side of music made in Italy.