De Android
Italy’s De Android recently released their self-titled LP, containing a dozen tracks.
De Android
De Android is the musical side project of Stefano Agnini (vocals, keyboards), and visual artist Serena Zanardi (vocals), aka Siren Z. The duo’s sound amalgamates dream pop, synth pop, new wave, trip hop, and Italo-dance into meticulous concoctions rife with yearning coloration.
Uniquely, De Android utilizes only ‘80s and ‘90s synths and drum machines, thus giving their music palpable authenticity, as well as an inimitable sonic pressure and tone.
Agnini is a sound engineer and composer for films and television, along with being a member a variety of bands, including LA COSCIENZA DI ZENO, LA CURVA DI LESMO, and IL CERCHIO MEDIANICO. A sculptress, Serena also teaches plastic disciplines.
The first track on the album is “A Darkly Sight,” opening on an elegant piano and a singular soaring synth tone, followed by Siren Z’s affluent, crystalline voice. The melody blends elements of dream pop and Italo-dance into a tune both surging and simultaneously creamy with sparkling flavors.
Siren Z struts her glorious voice on this track, imbuing the harmonics with tantalizing wisps and textures.
Entry points include “AOA,” with its new wave flow and distinctive percussive signature. Sung in Italian, the range and sonority of Siren Z’s voice is marvelously enchanting. “Hearbeat” travels on a dark pulsing EDM beat topped by glimmering hues from the synths. The EDM-lite rhythm gives the tune a bright mood and soft pushing momentum.
“A Flower” rides oozing, streaming synths emerging almost delicately, and then flows into a pulsing rhythm accented by syncopated percussion. This is my favorite track on the album because of its lush pouring movement and the mesmerizing tones and gliding surfaces of Siren Z’s scrumptious voice.
The ultimate track, “The Rising Fall,” travels on opulent layers of color, weaving intricately prior to shifting to metallic industrial intonations. Siren Z struts her glorious voice on this track, imbuing the harmonics with tantalizing wisps and textures.
De Android is exceptional, radiating supple spilling colors, along with cogent rhythmic pulsations, all held down by Siren Z’s magical voice.
