Feldspar really are an out-of-the-box band.
The eight-piece band from Rome—yes, the famous one—look more like a gang than a real band. I mean it in a positive way. The whole project’s final goal is to gather, engage people, and create a true family out of their fanbase. Try catching them live, and you’ll relate.
With their new record Soft Side, Feldspar couldn’t really do anything better to make it more real.
The band are playing with their boundaries on this one: there’s way more melody than before, with singer Anna Portman finding a lot more room on vocals, and the lines are generally less aggressive, resulting in a more relaxed listening. This also fits well with the artwork and imagery conceived by Chris Wilson (Scowl, Mindforce).
Another feature that contributes to the mood of this record is the production. The band worked with Jon Markson (The Story So Far, Drug Church, One Step Closer) at Animal Farm Studio in Flemington, NJ, Alan Day (Four Year Strong) and Chris Villeneuve of Drug Church to create what I consider one of the most impressive works in terms of quality for an independent band.
The chosen genre of sound belongs more to the pop world, but the team did a great job in fitting it to the alternative rock zone the right way. Everything sounds amazingly clear, and it’s a real delight for the ears. The definition of modern power pop.
In a certain way, this record gave me the same vibes as the last one from No Trigger: a stylistic revisitation of the same root concept. If it doesn’t catch you at the first listening, give it multiple spins, and things will start to make sense.
All of the songs are potential radio hits and are ready to be digested by a larger audience. I’m not saying that’s merely the goal, but instead the true expression of what this whole project is about: bringing more and more people in.
The band are going to take the record on the road very soon with U.S. and Europe shows, so you guys better join the Feldspar army. You’ll not regret it!
