“Arousal” is already the third album by Italian duo Les Longs Adieux. With this new release, Federica Garenna and Frank Marrelli continue to build on their established sound while simultaneously allowing new influences and subtle evolutions to emerge.

The album still breathes the spirit of the 1980s, yet this opus perhaps leans even more toward Electro-Wave territory, enriched with wonderfully vintage synthesizer textures that create a certain sense of magic. Throughout the record, a melancholic atmosphere dominates, beautifully reinforced by melodic choruses that give many of the songs an emotional depth. One particular standout is “Le Soldat De Plomb,” which incorporates a few French lyrics and is, in my opinion, by far the strongest track the duo has written so far. The song feels like a genuine gem and showcases exactly what Les Longs Adieux is capable of achieving when everything falls perfectly into place.

After this high point, the album loses a bit of momentum, though it remains an enjoyable and atmospheric listen throughout, even if no additional tracks quite reach the same level.

Les Longs Adieux undeniably possesses potential. They may not have fully realized it yet, but “Arousal” contains at least one truly remarkable song that is bound to resonate deeply with listeners. (Rating:7½).

Listen to “Le Soldat De Plomb”:

About Les Longs Adieux

Les Longs Adieux is an Italian electro-wave duo comprising Federica Garenna and Frank Marrelli. “Arousal” (2026) is the duo’s third album, self-released.

Inferno Sound Diaries

I have been working for over 30 years with Side-line as the main reviewer. My taste is eclectic, uncoventional and I prefer to look for the pearls, even if the bands are completely unknown, thus staying loyal to the Side-Line philosophy of nurturing new talents.

www.side-line.com

Genre/Influences: Dark-Wave; Dream-Pop.

Format: Digital.

Background/Info: Federica Garenna and Frank Marrelli are now busy for a couple of years under the Les Longs Adieux moniker. One year after their previous album they strike back with a new opus where each song is inspired by the tragic events from September, 11^th.

Content: The band moves on there where their previous album stopped. The songs remain driven by good-old Dark-Wave guitar playing and dark atmospheres but the global production became a little bit more Dream-Pop as well. The songs have been achieved by electronic arrangements while Federica’s vocals are elevating the work towards a higher dimension.

+ + + : Les Longs Adieux have considerably improved most aspects of the production. First there’s a perfect balance between the guitar play and electronic sections. Next there’s the charismatic singing of Federica Garenna and last but not least the work is featuring a few little sonic pearls. The work is also more accessible than its predecessor because all of the tracks have been sung in English while a few songs also feature a refreshing a moderner touch.

– – – : From a very personal point of view I would have preferred they accentuated the Dark-Wave side of their sound instead of dreamy compositions.

Conclusion: Les Longs Adieux is progressively evolving towards a higher level of production.

Best songs: “Gander”, “Windows On The World”, “Man Of The Clouds”.

Rate: 7½.

Artist: www.facebook.com/LesLongsAdieux

About Les Longs Adieux

Les Longs Adieux is a darkwave duo of Federica Garenna and Frank Marrelli, based in Rome, Italy. The project mixes new wave and electro elements, with Garenna on vocals. “Vertigo” followed the band’s previous album, “La Luna”, by one year, and is built around songs inspired by the September 11 attacks.

Inferno Sound Diaries

I have been working for over 30 years with Side-line as the main reviewer. My taste is eclectic, uncoventional and I prefer to look for the pearls, even if the bands are completely unknown, thus staying loyal to the Side-Line philosophy of nurturing new talents.

www.side-line.com

Genre/Influences: Dark-Wave, Post-Punk.

Format: Digital, CD.

Background/Info: The name of the band is French but Les Longs Adieux is an Italian formation which already self-released a few productions. They this year strike back with the new album “Piccolo Dizionario Di Parole Fraintese” featuring eight songs.

Content: The work takes off in the purest Dark-Wave / Post-Punk style revealing solid 80s driven guitar playing with electronic sound treatments on top. All vocals have been sung in Italian. Quite progressively the work features more electronic melodies becoming carrying during the choruses while the vocals are filled with passion.

+ + + :  The guitar playing makes the power and splendor of the work; it clearly injects Dark-Wave nostalgia from the 80s. The last part of the work exposes a cool balance between guitar and electronic melodies resulting in noticeable choruses. 

– – – : I don’t have anything against Italian vocals but English would probably catch a wider audience especially as this band has a true potential. I regret the album only features 8 songs;

Conclusion: Good-old Dark-Wave with an Italian touch.

Best songs: “Amarcord”, “Contrary Mary”, “Goccia Dopo Goccia”.

Rate: 7½. 

Artist: www.facebook.com/LesLongsAdieux

About Les Longs Adieux

Les Longs Adieux is a darkwave project from Rome, Italy, formed in 2020 by Federica Garenna and Frank Marrelli, later joined by Johnny Rainbow on bass guitar. The band mixes new wave and electro with a post-punk and goth rock aesthetic, self-describing its style as “Mediterranean wave”. Before “Piccolo Dizionario Di Parole Fraintese”, the project self-released a mini album and several singles. The album is Les Longs Adieux’s full-length debut, sung in Italian across eight tracks.

Inferno Sound Diaries

I have been working for over 30 years with Side-line as the main reviewer. My taste is eclectic, uncoventional and I prefer to look for the pearls, even if the bands are completely unknown, thus staying loyal to the Side-Line philosophy of nurturing new talents.

www.side-line.com