THE HORNET'S
OCEANO

After a good starting point with the EP "Caos melodico," The Hornet’s return with "Oceano," the second work by the Irpinia band. As with most bands in the indie scene, the much-hoped-for leap in quality doesn’t happen. The simplification of structures and sounds leads to a loss of edge, which we clearly perceive right from the opening track: honest sonorities but reaching the listener as a sound wallpaper lacking strength, such that it doesn’t make it credible in the Italian music scene. The novelty of adding keyboards and synths does not seem to be a good choice (except for "404"), as the guitars almost disappear and even the drums follow basic lines. As for the rest, the writing continues in that sweetened imitation of itself that will probably keep the four satisfied for a long time, invariably leading them into sheltered and nocturnal dissolute scenes, like in the swinging urban pop of "Berlino," or the progression of "Demoni". The Hornet's sound like a tired, small hipster project, the usual baritonal rant of the frontman accompanied by the fragmented schizoid post-punk of the band. This and very little else is “Oceano”: a well-crafted, neat, reassuring little disc, but not very incisive, about which (alas) I fear we will very soon forget.