SONOIO Review on Red

It's obvious what my musical niche is. Hadn't I known of SONOIO prior to listening to Red, I would have thought the mastermind behind the solo project was a woman. Not because I'm a strong feminist or anything like that (although you can quiz me on my suffragette knowledge), but because of the incredible vocal range that Alessandro Cortini presents in his tunes. 

Bells might ring with Cortini's name, having toured and recorded with industrial-rockers Nine Inch Nails in earlier years, as well as contributing to another two bands; Modwheelmood and Blindoldfreak. However, SONOIO (the name comes from the Italian phrase "Sono io" meaning "it's me") is Cortini's most recent project and - as the name suggests, he's been producing it solo.

SONOIO - Red

As has become a common recurrence in the bands I've been choosing to review, SONOIO demonstrates prominent use of synthesizers and  distorted sounds of electronica that pound strong steady rhythms and bass lines. Cortini's energized vocals are unusually complimented by melodic chaos, feeling breathy and fuelled with emotion, while retaining a sexiness that bares a positive resemblance to the vocal style of IAMX's (and Sneaker Pimps, of coures) Chris Corner. Which is never a bad thing. Especially when fused together with musical influences from Cortini's previous years spent with Nine Inch Nails. Which is, on the contrary, quite a beautiful thing.

In a nutshell, this album takes a bit of listening to in order to fully appreciate. Sure there are some pretty distinct influences from earlier musical participation, but that's the beauty of musical progression and style development, and here we see how Cortini's collection of musical tastes of electro-noise don't overpower the originality that is SONOIO.

I've been listening to Red on repeat for the best of today, and have fallen more in love with it each time.While four songs from Red were free for download in late May, the nine-track album was officially released June this year and continues to shine. Personally, my favourite tunes off Red are Can You Hear Me? and Minutes; as I relish the feeling they send of suppressed emotions that are held together by the softness of Cortini's voice, though threaten to burst through the plastered layers of sound at any moment- just lovely. Give SONOIO a go.