Onceweresixty were formed in Italy in 2001 by Marco Lorenzoni and Luca Sella (called MR60 in the early days) and despite a 10-year hiatus they returned in the current form with the addition of Enrico Grando on keyboards. The band have given Joyzine the privilege of premiering Loco Sunset Boulevard / Ghetto Blast Noise Machine (LSB/GBNM) so that our readers can hear the full album ahead of its official release on 22 March.
The majority of LSB/GBNM is drawn from their roots from indie in the 2000s, a languid indie now given a harder edge that reflects current times. Their laidback style is very heady as all the instruments swirl around in a dreamy miasma. The gentle patchwork of guitar lines is only occasionally broken by bursts of distortion, there are bass lines that keep pleasing the ears by not always going for the obvious root note, and drums that hang back, slightly behind the beat, as if keeping everything from speeding up too much and spoiling the reverie.
It’s only on ‘Pills’ that the band unleash a heavier side in order to channel their anger at the medical industry’s promotion of pharmaceutical drugs for profit rather than natural alternatives such as marijuana and Marco Lorenzoni says, “the heavy noise we inserted in this song represents the growing confusion with the use of those chemicals, which lead folks to give up on a potential cure for their condition”.
I think most musicians reading this would be envious that the album was recorded at Villa Albrizzi Marini, which sits in the countryside hills of Venice near the Alps. Lorenzoni says “The Villa is an ongoing project of urban regeneration via art activism and absolutely inspiring and amazing, and we’re glad to be part of it. Onceweresixty and our own label Uglydog Records have always been at the forefront of promoting the arts, supporting artists and creating social connections. This is our little Warhol Factory in the countryside.“
So, get comfortable and prepare to luxuriate in the slow-gaze delights as Loco Sunset Boulevard / Ghetto Blast Noise Machine envelops you in its warm indie embrace.
Marco Lorenzoni – guitars, vocals & keyboards
Luca Sella – drums, guitar & vocals
Enrico Grando – keyboards, vocals & saxophone
Onceweresixty socials: Website | Facebook | Instagram | YouTube | Spotify | Apple Music
Uglydog Records: Website | Bandcamp | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter| Soundcloud | YouTube
Review by Paul F Cook
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