Best Albums of 2017
by Stefano Bartolotta & Indie-Roccia

16
Carl Brave x Franco126 <BR> “Polaroid”

Carl Brave x Franco126
“Polaroid”

This hip-hop duo released their debut album in May 2017 and their popularity boomed. Songs are about the neighbourhood where the artists grew up, their long term friends, leasure and nostalgia.

Laid-back and introvert at the same time, “Polaroid” showcases a clever mixture of genres, and has the potential to be appreciated by a large audience.

♪♫ Listen: “Sempre In Due” + album stream

Carl Brave x Franco126 on Soundcloud, Facebook, Instagram.

15
Clustersun <BR> “Surfacing To Breathe”

Clustersun
“Surfacing To Breathe”

The second album by this four piece band from Catania, Sicily, features a good blend of shoegaze, rock and darkness.

On “Surfacing To Breathe”, Clustersun’s music is dreamy and tangible simultanously.

Shoegaze is a thing lately in the Italian scene, and this group are one of the main reasons why.

♪♫ Listen: “Lonely Moon” + album stream

Clustersun on Soundcloud, Bandcamp, Facebook, Twitter.

14
Halfalib <BR> “Malamocco”

Halfalib
“Malamocco”

Marco Giudici plays bass in Any Other and works as a producer for several bands. This is his solo output, and it’s based on psychedelia and songwriting. “Malamocco” is a very intimate, emotional and honest work of art. Giudici is just 25 years old and we can already call him a 360° musician.

♪♫ Listen: “Arythmie Du Soleil” + album stream

Halfalib on Soundcloud, Bandcamp, Facebook, Instagram.

13
Giorgieness <BR> “Siamo Tutti Stanchi”

Giorgieness
“Siamo Tutti Stanchi”

“Siamo Tutti Stanchi” is the second album from this four piece rock band based in Milan and fronted by Giorgia D’Eraclea.

Despite the fact that rock music has been played by an infinite number of bands, there’s still a way to conceive a unique style in this kind of music, and Giorgieness are a clear exemple of it

♪♫ Listen: “Che Cosa Resta” + album stream

Giorgieness on Bandcamp, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram.

12
Giulia’s Mother <BR> “Here”

Giulia’s Mother
“Here”

Second album by this folk duo from Turin. Melancholic guitars, ample spaces, good taste and a feeling for harmonies.

These guys have a delicate touch not only on guitar strings, but on the listener’s heart too, also when their sound gets stronger, like a climax for the more delicate parts.

♪♫ Listen: “Here” + album stream

Giulia’s Mother on Soundcloud, Facebook, Instagram, www.

11
Tanks And Tears <BR> “Aware”

Tanks And Tears
“Aware”

“Aware” is a debut album by this three piece band from Tuscany. There are traces of new wave, post-punk, shoegaze, but also some 90s grunge elements.

This album can give different kind of moods to the listener, and, in any case, it has a strong impact and deserves to be listened on repeat.

♪♫ Listen: “Inca” + album stream

Tanks and Tears on Soundcloud, Bandcamp, Facebook.

10
Colapesce <BR> “Infedele”

Colapesce
“Infedele”

“Infedele” is the third album by this popular songwriter from Sicily, previously in Albanopower. The songs were made with IOSONOUNCANE, another popular artist from Sardinia. Some songs are anxious and fast paced, while others are delicate and harmonious. And the whole work can take the listener into its own world.

♪♫ Listen: “Ti Attraverso” + album stream

Colapesce on Soundcloud, Facebook, Instagram.

9
Giorgio Poi <BR> “Fa Niente”

Giorgio Poi
“Fa Niente”

Giorgio Poi was a member of Vadoinmessico, and last year’s “Fa Niente” is his debut album full of psychedelic pop that reminds of Real Estate,

Melodies are catchy and appetizing, and Giorgio Poi’s lyrics cleverly showcase bits of thoughts, experiences and travels.

♪♫ Listen: “Niente Di Strano” + album stream

Giorgio Poi on Soundcloud, Facebook, Instagram.

8
Lucio Corsi <BR> “Bestiario Musicale”

Lucio Corsi
“Bestiario Musicale”

After two EPs released in 2016, this young songwriter from Tuscany released his debut album “Bestiario Musicale” in 2017.

Every song is about an animal in a fantasy world, and despite this fable attitude, the songwriting is very mature and contemporary.

♪♫ Listen: “L’Upupa” + album stream

Lucio Corsi on Soundcloud, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram.

7
Fine Before You Came <BR> “Il Numero Sette”

Fine Before You Came
“Il Numero Sette”

This post hardcore quintet is a veteran of the Italian independent music scene. They always release albums without previously announcing it and as a free download.

“Il Numero Sette” is not particularly energetic for the genre standards, but it’s very mature and emotional as always.

♪♫ Listen: “Come Pecore” + album stream

Fine Before You Came on Bandcamp, Facebook.

6
Colombre <BR> “Pulviscolo”

Colombre
“Pulviscolo”

Giovanni Imparato is the long time leader of Chewingum, and “Pulviscolo” is his solo output.

It’s a pop album with lots of details and shades. It’s delicate and lively, and the quality of every element – songwriting, voice, sound – is very high.

♪♫ Listen: “Blatte (feat. IOSONOUNCANE)” + album stream

Colombre on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram.

5
Stella Maris <BR> “Stella Maris”

Stella Maris
“Stella Maris”

A new project by veteran songwriter Umberto Maria Giardini with other musicians.

They blend a high profile songwriting tied to the Italian tradition with melodies and sound that remind The Smiths and 80s wave.

It works perfectly, and “Stella Maris” is a powerful and addictive album.

♪♫ Listen: “Rifletti E Rimandi” + album stream

Stella Maris on Facebook, Instagram.

4
Paolo Benvegnù <BR> “H3+”

Paolo Benvegnù
“H3+”

Veteran songwriter Paolo Benvegnù imagines a fantasy space travel meant to get insights on human nature and ending up in dark and anxiety.

“H3+” is a very ambitious album, and it’s totally spot on. It’s not easy to listen to, but it’s like a music novel. Giving it the right attention can be very gratifying.

♪♫ Listen: “Se Questo Sono Io” + album stream

Paolo Benvegnù on Facebook, Instagram, www.

3
Umberto Maria Giardini <BR> “Futuro Proximo”

Umberto Maria Giardini
“Futuro Proximo”

Five albums as Moltheni and now this is the third one under his real name. Umberto likes to combine strong sounds with his edgy voice and meaningful lyrics with lots of metaphores.

After more than 20 years, he managed to conjure all of his strenghts on “Futuro Proximo”.

♪♫ Listen: “Graziaplena” + album stream

Umberto Maria Giardini on Facebook, Instagram.

2
Edda <BR> “Graziosa Utopia”

Edda
“Graziosa Utopia”

Fourth album as Edda for Stefano Rampoldi, who previously fronted rock band Ritmo Tribale in the 90s. His voice, songwriting and lyrics are totally out of the box and uncompromising. You can love him or hate him, there’s no chance of a moderate opionion.

This album deserves love because of its bright artistic concept and its unparallaled emotional impact.

♪♫ Listen: “Signora” + album stream

Edda on Facebook.

1
Andrea Laszlo De Simone <BR> “Uomo Donna”

Andrea Laszlo De Simone
“Uomo Donna”

This is the first solo album for Andrea, who plays drums for Nadar Solo and Antony Laszlo. “Uomo Donna” is a very long album (more than 70 mnutes), and it’s simply jaw dropping.

Its combination of traditional Italian pop songwriting (especially the one from Lucio Battisti), retro psychedelia and more modern sounds is perfect, and the whole album is excellent from start to finish.

♪♫ Listen: “Vieni A Salvarmi” + album stream

Andrea Laszlo De Simone on: Facebook, Instagram.