Pale Blue Dot - 2025 - (h)eart(h)
(34:31; Pale Blue Dot)
Track list:
1. For the Beauty of Miranda 5:07
2. Destruction or Resurrection 4:16
3. (h)eart(h) 5:54
4. Green Fairy Tale 5:07
5. Rollercoaster 3:25
6. Alone 4:15
7. Star Cloud 6:27
Line-up:
Tommaso Lampronti - vocals, guitars, synthesizers
Enrico Bongiovanni - guitars
Cosimo Tanzarella - bass, synthesizers
Francesco D’Astore - drums
Italian band Pale Blue Dot were formed sometime around 2015, and following some years of finalizing a fixed line-up they have been working intently on the creation of their debut album. In the early summer of 2025 the results of those efforts were self-released as the album "(h)eart(h)".
In many ways, this is a production that makes me recall the sounds and the vibes of the 1980s, but in this case with a little bit of an upgraded or modernized take on some of the sounds I recall from that decade. A modernized, but ultimately also a retrospective creation might be a little bit of a description here, and a key phrase to use from my perspective is post-punk.
The songs all have that driving bass line I recall from the post-punk bands of the 1980s, and while the guitars may display more lighter toned, wandering patterns, riffs and licks that reference the punk music part of the post-punk expression, there are certainly some similarities also in this department. The rich, melodic and often melancholic lead vocals also come with some clear and defined points of reference in this direction.
The modernized part of the equation comes by way of the vocals being given a placement in the mix that makes them appear as more distant, as well as a big, atmospheric laden overall sound that is a presence throughout, and one that gives the landscapes explored very much of an otherworldly feeling. With a little bit of additional psychedelic instrument traits and effects thrown in for good measure on occasion.
While the more modern sounding features does transport this creation to a place a little bit outside of the ordinary post-punk traditions, I have come across one specific album from the 1980s that sports a very similar sound and expression, and that also share many of the associations I get in terms of the moods and atmospheres that is so much of a presence on this album by Pale Blue Dot. The classic era album in question is called "Brighter Than a Thousand Suns" as was released by UK band KIlling Joke back in 1986.
While "(h)eart(h)" is an album with some marked differences on several levels, there are tracks here that would have been very suitable companion tracks to this soon 40 year old album by Killing Joke. Some of which might have been included on that production without too many people really asking any questions about it. Hence I would suggest that those with a preference for a more melodic and atmospheric laden variety of post-punk may find this album interesting in general, while those who love and treasure Killing Joke's 1986 album "Brighter Than a Thousand Suns" and who have a desire to encounter more music of a comparable nature are advised to give this production a listen sooner rather than later.
Olav M. Björnsen, June 2025
Links:
https://www.facebook.com/palebluedotitaly
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