Attilio Novellino — A Conscious Effort

Soundscapes, like landscapes, can range from sparse and minimal, to dense, heavy, and jarring. Italian sound artist Attilio Novellino understands this wide range, and applies many different approaches to his creations to produce thoughtful, evocative sonic landscapes. This is no different on his latest, A Conscious Effort from Midiria Records, and fans of well constructed atmospheres would do well picking up this limited release.

Deftly moving between luxurious soundscapes and feedback soaked industrial, Attilio Novellino keeps A Conscious Effort moving and evolving, while still focusing on the sounds that make up the basis for each composition. Opening like dawn on a vast plain, "Conceptual Experience of the Body" starts A Conscious Effort out like a wondrous day on a new world. The experiences about to unfold are unknown and exciting, and when given the chance to listen and settle in, work with the body's rhythms and moods to further connect the listener to the soundscapes ambulating through the speakers. In between the sparseness and the heavy, a softer, electronic ambient is allowed to emerge. Like the periphery of works from artists like Tim Hecker, this rolling wave crackles with noisy flourishes which add a rich texture to the airy highs that pull the tracks along. However, this skyward journey is temporary, and Attilio continues to change direction and build up more steam for A Conscious Effort. While many acts twist and turn just for the sake of it, the music on display here is never without purpose, and each note feels as strong as the one that precedes it. Well constructed, well recorded, and well executed,  A Conscious Effort flows together according to design and delivers the listener a complete package.

Coming from Midira Records in a lush, limited edition, Attilio Novellino's A Conscious Effort is a wonderful piece of sound art that adroitly moves between styles and makes the absolute most of its 40 minute run time. Blending textures and layers throughout, A Conscious Effort is a refreshing take on modern soundscapes. Constantly flowing with many new treasures to be discovered on subsequent listens, Novellino's latest is a remarkable recording.