Loveshine
Angels, 2023
8/10
The esteemed multi-instrumentalist Erene Mastrangeli makes a sizable impression on this debut album, where nods to ‘70s singer-songwriters won’t go unnoticed or unappreciated.
The title track opens the record with Ivo Parlati’s crisp drums and Daniele Sinigallia’s warm electric guitar alongside Mastrangeli’s powerful and pretty voice, and “Butterfly” continues the elegance with Mastrangeli handling acoustic guitar and keyboards with much care amid the poetic textures.
Elsewhere, “Rain, Rain” benefits much from Andrea Ruggiero’s stirring violin and Maurizio Loffredo’s well timed steel guitar for the rich delivery, while “Let’s Take It Slow” spotlights Matteo Pezzolet’s electric bass and Brad Roberts (Crash Test Dummies) lyrics for the rhythmic, breezy album highlight.
Near to the end, “I Can Turn Away” is a very intimate moment of thoughtful keys and cozy electric and acoustic guitar that enters dreamy territory, and “We Are Treasures” exits with Mastrangeli’s comforting voice and emotive piano playing.
A listen that thematically surrounds love in a time of so much hate and inequality, Mastrangeli’s training in jazz and classical sounds are very much present, and similarities to Joni Mitchell or Carole King sure do go a long way.
Travels well with: Lauren Minear- Invisible Woman; Sweet Megg- My Window Faces The South