Location:
USA, FL

Category:
Electronic / Singer/Songwriter

Try if you like:
Portishead, Red House Painters

One of the many advantages of the internet is that it allows artists to get their work to the attention of a much wider range of potential listeners by having their music placed for free download on various websites. It was in this manner that Vito Genovese, a young Floridan, first came to my attention. Vito has been prolific in his output having recorded and released over ten albums in a relatively short space of time. Much of his earlier work was not so much to my taste, being a sort of experimental ambient music. This is not something I take much pleasure in and did not display Vito's talents to their best.

 

However, all that changed when I heard Vito's cover version of Arcade Fire's "Rebellion (Lies)". Suddenly my impression changed. I found that version to be an improvement on the original and it made me pay much more attention to Vito's work. The track seemed to mark a watershed in Vito's musical development for since then he has broken free of the experimental shackles which seemed to hold back his talent. His latest work, A Hazy Relish, is an album which shows much more promise and personal development.

 

Vito has broadened his musical vision and on A Hazy Relish he has begun to write thought-provoking lyrics and settled into a musical style which has much more to offer and which he seems more comfortable with and confident in. What he has managed to achieve is in some ways a quite startling album in the vein of slowcore outfits, such as the Red House Painters, but imbued with his own style. Although he is evidently most at home in a realm of dark synth sounds, with A Hazy Relish Vito demonstrates that he is more confident in his lyrics and vocal ability, enough to bring them much more to the fore than on previous works. What is also apparent is that he is able to draw upon a corpus of personal experiences, despite the self-confessed narrowness of his geographical locations. These experiences are reflected in the songs he has put together on this album.

 

For instance, "Natalie" is almost confessional in its tone. Delicate yet strong vocals bring to life the story in a way which seems hard to credit in one so young. And yet, beneath it, this is still the Vito Genovese I recognise from his earlier works with its multi-layered soundscapes which convey warmth and feeling. And yet there is better to come. "Memorial Day" is perhaps the stand-out track of the album and possesses beautiful arrangements of smooth and reassuring electronic sound mixed in with some samples of voices and other recorded sounds. Yet whereas some have made such sampling dominant to an extent that it blots out the originality which lies beneath (and Vito is perhaps guilty of this on "Rupture") "Memorial Day" retains a charm and an elegance which lingers long after the song has ended.

 

Perhaps my favourite track though is "Hymn", which starts off and continues with a beautiful motif melody which is repeated throughout the song, while gentle vocals which seem almost on the point of breaking pour out some heartfelt emotion drawn from personal experience. Another melodic motif, somewhat reminiscent, dare I say, of the start of Guns 'n' Roses' "Sweet Child o' Mine" opens the following track, "Without You", before slowing down into a deep and sombre song of mutual loss.

 

To say that this album surprised me is perhaps not to give it enough credit. Each repeated listen opens up new vistas and what is perhaps most startling is the manner in which the very character of the songs seems to shift depending on the environment in which it is listened. Playing the songs in daylight and night time offer completely different perspectives on the music. A Hazy Relish perhaps marks the coming of age of this young talent who, as he matures, seems increasingly more confident with himself, his feelings and his abilities. Vito Genovese is a name to watch out for. He remains, as yet, unsigned.