Le feste natalizie sono terminate, l’atmosfera si è dissolta, le persone tornano alla loro routine con la speranza che i 365 giorni a venire siano migliori dei precedenti. Oggi mi ritrovo nel freddo e nebbioso nord-ovest Italia per parlarvi di un EP “2512” ,uscito poco prima dell’inverno, con i migliori propositi per non mancare all’appello sulla“lista dei buoni” di Babbo Natale.
L’autore è Andrea Vascellari, in arte Lullabier, Classe ’85, in attività dal 2010, che si descrive come un “porta pacchetti di dream-pop & slowcore & drone & minimal-folk”. Ambientate nelle terre del nord-est Italia le quattro canzoni che compongono l’EP ci proiettano nei giorni prenatalizi di una cittadina ai piedi delle montagne
Il primo brano Natale a Ceneda, scritto assieme a FARO, è una ninnananna da primo mattino che rimembra il dream pop anni ’90-2000 dei Grandi Laghi del Mid-West – in particolar modo quello di The Aluminium Group e Sufjian Stevens – ottima con il caffè al risveglio. Tra le sue note vengono raccontate classiche scene di gioventù rurale.
Si prosegue con Natale a Serravalle, rivisitazione di Astro del ciel di mr. Franz Xaver Guber – un evergreen natalizio più conosciuto come Silent Night. Dopo un mini-intro noise, la lirica, le chitarre e i campanelli vengono accompagnati dalla voce del TG locale di Vittorio Veneto (TV) che annuncia fatti di cronaca locale in contrasto con l’atmosfera e i temi del Santo Natale.
Troviamo poi una versione acustica di un suo singolo del 2009 (White Dizziness). Essa ci trasporta nell’immaginario di una passeggiata sotto la neve, Sparklehorse ed Elliot Smith sembrano essere muse per lui durante tutto l’ascolto e questo ci piace.
La “favola natalizia” in cui ci porta Lullabier, termina con un suo brano più recente – With A Star del 2011- remixato da Brian John Mitchell. La versione originale presente in una compilation AA.VV. “Six Feet Compilation / Six Feet Below The Snow” con lo stesso tema natalizio, viene invece ora arricchita con riverberi molleggianti rendendola ancora più chamber e lo-fi ma con tanto di albero addobbato e calza sul camino.
“2512” è un lavoro che ho apprezzato particolarmente in relazione al clima natalizio che i paesi medio piccoli della provincia creano e vivono. Il solstizio d’inverno e i suoi giorni circostanti, appaiono eccellenti per cullarsi con queste quattro semplici tracce, per qualcuno come per esempio il sottoscritto, su audiocassetta con vista camino e metro di neve in giardino. (Impatto Sonoro)
Did you wake up, as I did, wanting a super chill version of Low’s “Just Like Christmas,” sung in Italian? You did? Well, that works out well for all of us, as Vittorio Veneto’s Lullabier has realized our dream with the leadoff track on his wonderful new EP, 2512. The novelty of hearing this classic song in Italian is not the only draw to the song – the laid-back indiepop orchestration is absolutely beautiful. However, it is the small, but significant, addition of the cabasa (at least that’s what I think they are using – the hand percussion), that evokes a crackling fire and draws out a warmth in this song that I don’t think I have heard before. The other tracks are also excellent – I enjoy the layered spoken word of “Natale A Serravalle (Silent Night),” and the English-language “White Dizziness” is understated and gorgeous. Lullabier has made some wonderful choices, and is very much on my radar now, and I hope yours as well.
Bottom Line: Italy is on the board with this stellar cover by Lullabier, whose warm, beautiful orchestration and production has extracted new qualities from an already beloved song. (Christmas Underground)
Did you wake up, as I did, wanting a super chill version of Low’s “Just Like Christmas,” sung in Italian? You did? Well, that works out well for all of us, as Vittorio Veneto’s Lullabier has realized our dream with the leadoff track on his wonderful new EP, 2512. The novelty of hearing this classic song in Italian is not the only draw to the song – the laid-back indiepop orchestration is absolutely beautiful. However, it is the small, but significant, addition of the cabasa (at least that’s what I think they are using – the hand percussion), that evokes a crackling fire and draws out a warmth in this song that I don’t think I have heard before. The other tracks are also excellent – I enjoy the layered spoken word of “Natale A Serravalle (Silent Night),” and the English-language “White Dizziness” is understated and gorgeous. Lullabier has made some wonderful choices, and is very much on my radar now, and I hope yours as well.
Bottom Line: Italy is on the board with this stellar cover by Lullabier, whose warm, beautiful orchestration and production has extracted new qualities from an already beloved song. (Christmas Underground)
Nuova pubblicazione per Lullabier, ossia Andrea Vascellari alfiere del dream-pop italico. Il minimal-folk singer di Vittorio Veneto presenta un E.P. di 4 brani di pura atmosfera natalizia in cui le brume e i colori del Nord Est si materializzano all’ascolto delle dolci e oniriche armonie disegnate dall’artista. Con Natale a Ceneda ci troviamo nel bel mezzo di una qualunque scena serale di una qualsiasi cittadina del Nord; gli amici, il girovagare tra bar e case e strade imbiancate. Natale a Serravalle è la rivisitazione suadente ed eterea del classico natalizio Stille Nacht; chitarre, campanelli e tappeti sonori soffusi e sognanti accompagnano armonie vocali alla Simon & Garfunkel. White Dizziness che fu nel 2009 il primo singolo di Lullabier, è ora riproposto in chiave acustica e soavemente psichedelica. Nuvole di riverberi e di emozioni nella conclusiva With a Star (Brian John Mitchell remix) brano del 2011, basato sul tema di Tu scendi dalle stelle, ora magnificamente pregno di sognante poesia. I quattro brani di questo “2512” ci trasportano in un viaggio sensoriale breve, ma intenso come solo un sogno può essere e proprio come un bel sogno lascia al suo svanire un dolce senso di dolcezza e nostalgia. Bello. (Distorsioni)
Couldn’t resist including, truth is it was on our radar a little while back but went astray in the great laptop hissy fit whereupon a sizeable amassing of sound clips went west. Now thankfully tripped across and rescued, this is Lullabier with the ridiculously adorable ‘Natale A Ceneda (feat. Faro)’ – a track taken from an EP’s worthy of cosy toed yuletide tingliness whose sparsely radiant peppering of snowy floral posies had us much of a mind to go rummaging out our prized stash of platters by the much missed Le Mans. That said equally tugging on the heart strings is the fragile and frail acoustic rub of ‘White Dizziness’ a wonderfully hymnal hued honey softly yearned in sleepy headed snow shimmerings. Mind you nothing quite hits the spot than ‘With A Star’ the Brian John Mitchell remix no less, who last time we checked was the head honcho of Silber records – who should hopefully be making several appearances here before the year end, this one demurringly dizzied in the image of Cheval Sombre. (The Sunday Experience)
Lullabier taps into a celebratory spirit on the soothing “2512”. Rather tender in tone, the songs unfurl with a gracefulness. Classical, chamber pop, and folk come together into a satisfying whole. Embracing space, the way these pieces seem to float on into the air feels so majestic. Vocals drift off as if in a fantastic dream. Melodies have a great richness to them, while at times flirting with nearly a drone-like ode. By choosing such a wide variety of styles, Lullabier ensures that the whole collection feels fully realized and emotionally moving. Things start off on a graceful note with the stylish soothing tones of “Natale a Ceneda (feat. Faro)”. Featuring a full choir, the entire track positively sparkles with joy. Guitar and piano intersect in such a gorgeous fashion. Little details go a long way, from the little flourishes of melody to the quiet rhythm. Multifaceted with its approach “Natale a Serravalle” celebrates togetherness with acoustic guitars drifting up into the air. Intimacy gives “White Dizziness (acoustic)” a lovely hue. Quite patiently Lullabier go for a meditative emotional approach, as the song unfurls with a degree of timelessness. Voices come together to become a great tapestry of sound. By far the highlight of the collection “With a star (Brian John Mitchell Remix)” feels akin to a sonic blanket, with the many layers working to deliver something that feels so reassuring. Ending the collection “With a star (Brian John Mitchell Remix)” feels the just right level of sleepiness. With “2512” Lullabier go for an intimate style, one that feels so warm and inviting. (Beach Sloth)
Quand mon artiste de slowcore italien préféré (mais non il n'y en a pas qu'un !) sort un EP de chants de Noël retravaillés dans sa langue d'origine, forcément je suis fortement intéressé. D'autant que si je ne suis pas forcément un grand amateur de tout ce qui touche aux fêtes de fin d'année, j'apprécie en revanche toutes les compositions originales ou interprétations décalées qu'elles peuvent faire naître chez les artistes "indés". Or il n'y a pas de ça ici, Lullabier restant extrêmement fidèle à l'esprit de Noël, tout en se réappropriant musicalement le truc. Bref, c'est beau, c'est relaxant mais ça reste difficile à écouter à un autre moment qu'en décembre...(Dans Le Mur Du Son)
Lullabier taps into a celebratory spirit on the soothing “2512”. Rather tender in tone, the songs unfurl with a gracefulness. Classical, chamber pop, and folk come together into a satisfying whole. Embracing space, the way these pieces seem to float on into the air feels so majestic. Vocals drift off as if in a fantastic dream. Melodies have a great richness to them, while at times flirting with nearly a drone-like ode. By choosing such a wide variety of styles, Lullabier ensures that the whole collection feels fully realized and emotionally moving. Things start off on a graceful note with the stylish soothing tones of “Natale a Ceneda (feat. Faro)”. Featuring a full choir, the entire track positively sparkles with joy. Guitar and piano intersect in such a gorgeous fashion. Little details go a long way, from the little flourishes of melody to the quiet rhythm. Multifaceted with its approach “Natale a Serravalle” celebrates togetherness with acoustic guitars drifting up into the air. Intimacy gives “White Dizziness (acoustic)” a lovely hue. Quite patiently Lullabier go for a meditative emotional approach, as the song unfurls with a degree of timelessness. Voices come together to become a great tapestry of sound. By far the highlight of the collection “With a star (Brian John Mitchell Remix)” feels akin to a sonic blanket, with the many layers working to deliver something that feels so reassuring. Ending the collection “With a star (Brian John Mitchell Remix)” feels the just right level of sleepiness. With “2512” Lullabier go for an intimate style, one that feels so warm and inviting. (Beach Sloth)
Quand mon artiste de slowcore italien préféré (mais non il n'y en a pas qu'un !) sort un EP de chants de Noël retravaillés dans sa langue d'origine, forcément je suis fortement intéressé. D'autant que si je ne suis pas forcément un grand amateur de tout ce qui touche aux fêtes de fin d'année, j'apprécie en revanche toutes les compositions originales ou interprétations décalées qu'elles peuvent faire naître chez les artistes "indés". Or il n'y a pas de ça ici, Lullabier restant extrêmement fidèle à l'esprit de Noël, tout en se réappropriant musicalement le truc. Bref, c'est beau, c'est relaxant mais ça reste difficile à écouter à un autre moment qu'en décembre...(Dans Le Mur Du Son)
