Of Shadows And Lights – Poems From The Edge (2023)
While Of Shadows And Lights has been entertaining audiences for the past six years or so, the alternative rock (or at least that’s one of his styles) artist hit us in 2021. From ‘Universal Thing’ to ‘Bleeding Wounds’ and even a quick interview in 2021, the Italy-based Of Shadows And Lights keeps our heads turning. The solo project of multi-instrumentalist Angelo Pitone, Of Shadows And Lights (OSAL) transcends time drawing together the best of the 70s, 80s and 90s with contemporary rock tones. The latest addition to his discography is the EP Poems From The Edge.
Released with the independent record label Rexius Records, Poems From The Edge is described as a concept EP. Inspired by humanity at its core, OSAL tackles existential issues with melodic sophistication; however, Poems From The Edge presents songs of emotional rebirth and empowerment lined in a harmonic kaleidoscope of sound. Along with British singer-songwriter Lisa Tenzin-Dolma, the four-track is considered one of Pitone’s “most artistically ambitious work”.
Considering each of the tracks was released as a single throughout 2023, I would say that Poems From The Edge follows OSAL’s well-received single ‘Nervous Breakdown’ in its totality. Technicalities over, Pitone adopts a softer, more soothing tone in Poems From The Edge – a jump from the high energy blast of alternative rock in ‘Nervous Breakdown’. Is this an evolution in his sound; not entirely, I don’t think. OSAL showcases versatility and innovation in each song he releases so he constantly surprises us with each melody.
Poems From The Edge decidedly shows the softer side of this sonic coin as flutters of guitar meld with dynamic drums in each track. Opening with ‘On The Ledge’, Pitone introduces us to his brand of alternative rock with classic rock sensibilities. Crashing drums combined with crashing guitars set us off on a glistening sonic lake wrapped in a wistful haze of flowing rock. Yet, while the journey appears to be smooth from ‘On The Ledge’, you are quickly introduced to ripples of tumultuous comings in ‘Unbecoming’.
Shifting from nostalgic 80s rock to the best of 90s alternative rock ala Green Day and Foo Fighters, the smooth glistening ride is bumped by licks of water around the boat. Pounding drums up the ante with scorching guitars lifting that comfortable wistfulness into a hard-hitting twirl of sound. The thing is, just as you become accustomed to and cautious of a heavier tone, ‘Into The Silence’ settles the ripples with charming flair.
Over too quickly, Poems From The Edge ends with the track ‘Emerge’. Once again skipping from old-school sounds to contemporary tones, ‘Emerge’ clasps 21st century hard rock in its mellifluous flow. Finishing on a high with powerful surges of bold drums and electric guitars, you plunge into a brain-rattling almost metal intensity; however, sincerity seems to lurk beneath the darkness. For me, ‘Emerge’ both sends you to the edge of the musical river but not to danger, rather to personal self-growth and enlightenment. A punch of your fist in the air to say, “This is me, I’m alive!”
Find out more about Of Shadows And Lights, check out his official website, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Spotify.
This artist was discovered via Musosoup #sustainablecurator
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