On Pluhm’s “Canzoni dell’io nudo" (Rum Fixion Records) I feel like from moment one I am listening to the soundtrack of the new Blade Runner movie or some other cinematic score for a movie with a dystopian vision of the future. The opening track comes off like it’s specifically synced to imagery that we are not seeing. Low rumbling tones which then explode into larger than life synth tones in an upper register. Track 2 “L’lo Nudo” starts in similar fashion as you can see in your head a bleak vision as behind the track it almost sounds like a windstorm. Music like this is definitely not something you throw on at anytime, there is a mood and time of day that works best for it. It’s contemplative and cerebral. When the drums kick in it’s in a way a mix of Nine Inch Nails, Nino Rota and Jon Brion all at once.
By track 3 “Oblio della Mente” we are about 15 minutes into the album and it’s still bleak but interesting because although they explore the same genre all three tracks are very different from one another in their approach. It’s hard to not think of this album as cinematic: the movie will continue in your head and with each track it comes into clearer focus that the composer is presenting a story. As I listen, I keep feeling this is very futuristic and ultra modern, this feels like the music of something representative of a future world. In some respects it’s cold and calculating as every moment seems to be created by repetitive algorithms and synth textures and tones without the warmth of woodwind or string instruments.
The album has a flow to it and if you are not paying attention you may miss where one track ends and another begins. Sometimes all within one track it feels like we’ve heard up to 3 songs. Honestly, as a film person, if you told me this was the current soundtrack to a very dark documentary or some new Ridley Scott or Ari Aster film I would believe it. This feels in a way larger than something I should be reviewing. Like it’s my privilege to introduce you to someone who soon might be making familiar scores to films that will be staples of your movie collection. In tracks like “La Nube S’Addensa” familiar melody feels like it could have been in a Kubrick film. Every track transports you somewhere in your mind to specific visuals, I need to stop writing because I’m just going to be repeating myself. David Fincher or someone who makes dark movies, give Pluhm a call already.
Spotify
Vinyl Pre-Order
Instagram
Facebook
- Sam Lowry