Polmo Polpo - Like Hearts Swelling

Building on foundations of multi-layered full-spectrum drones and loops, the music of Polmo Polpo is distinguished by slide guitar motifs that are more naive pop pastoral than spaghetti western. Opening track "Romeo Heart" builds inexorably from silence to jet-engine pink noise squall, coaxed along by descending bass and guitar lines -- an excellent introduction to a record that gains emotional resonance and structural complexity with every song. "Requiem For A Fox" introduces the techno-inflected, underwater heartbeat pulse that marks much of Sandro's earlier work, with whirring ring tones, detuned filters and a sardonic melody gradually giving way to the jauntier acoustic guitar groove and exuberant slide solo at song's end. "Farewell" is a darker interlude rounding out side one, worked up on bowed bass, cello and timpani-sized drum samples. "Sky Histoire" has the most overt rhythmic foundation of any Polmo Polpo track to date, anchored by brilliant interweaving bass and string lines while leaving plenty of room for guitars and keyboards to soar. The juxtaposition of melodic figures as the song hits maximum density is glorious, fittingly giving way to a reprise complete with celebratory bells and chimes. The title track (and album finale) features Genevieve Heistek (Hangedup) looping and weaving her viola into a verdant organic landscape of squeaks, skronks and moans while accordion sways over top: a gorgeous display of sonic fauvism to end the record. Polmo Polpo has crafted a subtle, enveloping, kaleidoscopic instrumental pop record, brimming and bursting like hearts swelling.

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