Elia Lunardi: Sound Of Light

Italian singer/songwriter, Elia Lunardi grew up in music. In addition to a conservatory music education, his father, violinist Steve had a major role in the free-jazz avant garde movement in northern Europe in the 70s. More recently, Steve was a member of funk/jazz/prog band, Q-Bizm. Fellow Q-Bizm member, Filippo Gaetani, produces Elia Lunardi debut EP, Sound Of Light.

Opening track, “Follow The Sea” is a nice microcosm for everything Elia Lunardi does well. The track is lite acoustic pop that straddles the line between adult alternative contemporary and indie folk. There is some acoustic guitar with foot stomping behind it that can evoke artists like the Lumineers or Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros but the song-writing and vocals are more akin to John Mayer or David Gray. Some electronic flourishes help separate “Follow The sea” from any of those artists though.

These electronic flourishes get even more pronounced later in the EP on tracks like “Born From Light.” A glitchy electronic drumbeat is prominently featured under Lunardi’s acoustic guitar. The track also prominently features Elia’s father with a violin solo, a rarity for any song not done by the Dave Matthews Band.

“Curious” is the spaciest track with sustained piano stabs and lush synth pads. It is reminiscent of artists like Coldplay or Keane. Because of that, it is also one of the most commercial sounding tracks of the six on the EP.

The EP concludes with a reprise of the opening track “Follow The Sea.” The reprise, dubbed “Band Version,” replaces the electronic elements with acoustic instruments. Gone are some of the subtle electronic flourishes, instead replaced with guitar doing similar background work. The biggest change is the beat which can’t fully recreate what the drum programming on the original does.

Judging by the fact that “Follow The Sea” appears twice on the album, it is clearly the focus of the EP but all the tracks offer something. While all the songs might not be single worthy, the musicianship alone makes them a worthwhile listen.

Rating: 6.7/10

Listen on Apple Music

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