PAOLO SANNA: Novem Reges (PROGRESSIVE ROCK): review / opinion to read on Music Waves

Paolo Sanna is an Italian sound designer whose musical trajectory could hardly have been predicted listening to his work on YouTube (animations and films), at the opposite end of the spectrum from this EP: 'Novem Reges'. A fan of instrumental guitar, in particular Paul Gilbert, but also John Petrucci, Joe Satriani, Steve Vai or Plini, Paolo Sanna has emerged from anonymity with his first EP, a sort of tribute to the music that drives him intimately. While the title track, 'Surfing a Dream', betrays his admiration for the shredders (we've all recognised Satriani), the influence is not omnipresent, and the tracks are not necessarily reminiscent of the guitar hero's world.

On the whole, the result is promising: the tracks are pleasant, the melodies catchy, unpretentious and, above all, devoid of demonstration - a recurring error with some guitarists who try to do too much to prove the extent of their dexterity, to the detriment of creativity. The display of technique is not the route Paolo Sanna has taken, preferring the general atmosphere, harmony and melody. His experience as a sound designer is undoubtedly a useful safeguard against uncontrolled outbursts, and so much the better.

Although Paolo Sanna composed everything at home on his laptop using Neural effects, he nevertheless surrounded himself with real studio musicians to provide the rhythmic base (bass and drums) for his compositions. The result is fresh and more human than the realistic instrument emulators that have become commonplace on the Internet in recent years. It shows his desire to sound real, and that's a credit to him. In fact, authenticity is a value that he holds dear, as he says he is keen to express his ideas sincerely through his guitar. The compositions are pleasant, but the EP's weak point is, as so often, its short length. "Novem Reges" is no exception, and you reach the end of the album still feeling a little hungry. While it has the advantage of giving a foretaste of the artist's universe, we'd have liked more material to get an objective idea.

Let's bet that a more substantial album is in the making. In the meantime, let's make do with 'Novem Reges' ('the 9 kings' in Latin), which will remain enigmatic (a historical reference or a reference to 'The Lord of the Rings'?) until the artist reveals its meaning. - Official website

PAOLO SANNA

NOVEM REGES

AUTRE LABEL

PROGRESSIVE ROCK