SOTD #179 // Banjo or Freakout: '105′

It strikes as quite an annus mirabilis for Alessio Natalizia, aka Banjo or Freakout, for a couple of reasons. However both ring true for similar reasons – reasons revolving in near completely different tacks in musical output. The first came earlier this year in the form of his brilliant electronica collaboration with Sam from Allez-Allez in the form of Walls and now, with ’105′ and a string of reaffirming live dates with Gold Panda under his belt, a gloriously reinvigorated Banjo or Freakout.

Where once his material stood as some of the purest cathartic noise to witness live, those new dates and this here track go to show that Natalizia’s ear for melody has not been harmed from the (albeit beautiful) aural bludgeoning of his previous output. ’105′ will stand out not only as the first glimpse of material to appear from his forthcoming full length in 2011, but the first earmark of a near complete transmogrification from those noise-led leanings of the past, seemingly owing more to the swooning soundscapes of Bradford Cox’s output than anything. It’s a delightfully wistful diversion from the norm – simplistic, almost festive, strums of reverb soaked guitars layer a straight forward, downtempo drumbeat with Natalizia’s aching vocals proving to be an enticing new focal point.

As the guitars slide in scale into hypnotic swathes of delayed chorals and electronic haze, you can’t help but wonder where the rest of the album may go to top such an amazingly seasonal slab of psychedelic folly. But in the ever-more-trustworthy hands of Natalizia, we have little need to fear.

’105′ is available to order now on 7″ white vinyl via the Memphis Industries store.

Banjo or Freakout : ’105′