SONOIO (Modwheel Music)
Former Nine Inch Nails member Alessandro Cortini a.k.a. SONOIO makes synth-rock with an intensity to rival Ladytron.
Formed in 2010, SONOIO’s music draw from Cortini’s past endeavors while exploring new electronic territories akin to bands like Crystal Castles and the darker sides of chill-wave from bands like Salem and Water Borders.
Armed with the very talented “Buchla Electric Music Box,” an obsolete analog instrument from the ’70s, Cortini’s music takes complex rhythms and drenches them with vibrant sonic textures while distorted vocals weave through delicately.
“The whole compositional process felt like a chess game, where I would make a move, trying to compose in a certain way, only to be antagonized by either the limitations of the instrument, or its quirkiness,” says Cortini on his press release.
“This ‘back and forth’ process led me to composing the bulk of the Blue and Red SONOIO records, allowing me to create something unique sounding, yet familiar and memorable.”
Indeed it’s memorable specifically to those who grew up listening to the best of industrial, new-wave and electro. Much of these influences can be felt in many of today’s young bands like the one’s mentioned above (Salem, Water Borders), but now it’s time to show them who’s boss. Okay, that’s a bit over the top, but if anything SONNIO will satisfy old and new fans alike.
From the album Red, today’s free MP3 is “Scientist.” It’s the soundtrack to an alien abduction.
