Monosonik – The Stars Are Watching (Digital/CD Album – Blackbeat Media Productions)
Monosonik is an Italian duo that first released material many years ago, and this album marks a welcome return for Corrado Altieri and Giorgio Ricci. Ricci, in particular, is a well-known figure, having been part of the legendary Templebeat as well as the recent Italian Post-Punk sensation They Die.
This new release features eight instrumental tracks that, in my view, strongly echo the icy Electro spirit of The Klinik and the French project Stigma (for those who remember). Their power doesn’t come from pounding bass lines or relentless BPMs, but rather from the unruly, icy sound textures that can send shivers down your spine. The rhythms remain slow and restrained, yet some passages still manage to be unexpectedly danceable. Monosonik also dares to weave in Techno elements, but these are carefully reshaped into a cold, atmospheric framework. The result is a deeply immersive listening experience, born of vintage soundscapes and the duo’s undeniable expertise.
This may not be an album aimed at the masses, but it will undoubtedly resonate with connoisseurs seeking refined, stylish electro. In my opinion, a brilliant opus. (Rating:8½).
Listen to “Addiction In Winter”:
https://monosonik1.bandcamp.com/track/addiction-in-winter
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