Recently I had a discussion with an artist, who was worried because her band was compared to various artists in each review received for their album – sounds a bit like that, obviously inspired by this other band, under the influence of yet another band. Her worry – that they sound like everybody while not having firmed up a unique sound all of their own. You know the saying, beauty is in the eye of the beholder? Well, just like 2 photographers may see (and capture) things differently through the same lens, it’s the same with reviews – we only write stuff based on our own perception, recollections, feelings – somewhat like describing a colour, so to speak. It’s all based on our references – it doesn’t mean it’s not unique.
Today we have the pleasure of premiering an artist who sounds a bit like a handful of other artists, but who presents one whopper great track that it would be a mistake to say that this doesn’t sound unique. Indie pop-rock outfit Bilbosa and Irish singer-songwriter Lori Sky present their new single ‘Neon’ – what can we say? This is huge and it’s remarkable. The closest reference I would want to cite, for fear of naming too many others that are less relevant – is Florence and The Machine. But the feeling I get when listening to this the first time brings to mind a completely different artist and, although the vocal timbre is totally different, the build up and intensity feels familiar and, if I may say so, somewhat ‘sacred’. That artist and the particular song in mind – Lamb’s ‘Angel Gabriel’.
‘Neon’ is the first taste of Bilbosa’s new ‘Ayla’ EP, a four-track offering slated for release in mid-June via Italy’s powerhouse indie label Seahorse Recordings. contributes vocals, as well as lyrics, in this offering with its full and mesmerizing, rhythmic darkness. The experiment that Lori Sky and Bilbosa have just undergone, with the addition of her vocals to this initial track offering, is one we hope they repeat again. This is a gorgeous sonic offering, that is both poignant and deep, and should go down in music history as one of the stand-out tracks of 2021.
Hailing from Genoa in northern Italy, Bilbosa are David Carroll (guitar), Stefano Pulcini (guitar and synth), Daniele Ferrari (bass and synth) and Gabriele Gennaro (drums). Formed in 2016 from the ashes of their former band Chaos Del Signor Gaza, the remaining four musicians spent much energy collaborating, jamming and trying to understand what musical route to take. Finally, they desperately decided to lock themselves in a recording studio in 2018, resulting in the recording of their first official album, ‘Diamond Dust’, which they released in December 2020.
Formerly writing under the name Lorraine McCauley, Scottish-based Donegal-raised Lori Sky offers a powerful new voice and perspective on the arts scene, making music for the soul and senses. Performing at Irish Feis since the age of four, she formed her first band while living in Japan. Following her 2010 debut solo EP ‘Haunt Me’, she formed Lorraine McCauley & The Borderlands and debuted with album `Light in the Darkest Corners’ in 2012, tipped as the next Scottish contemporary folk breakthrough. After returning to university for her master’s degree, in 2014, she began an artist residency in songwriting and singing with La Banda di Piazza Caricamento in Genoa, where she met and collaborated with Bilbosa’s David Carroll, sowing the seeds for this new single.
“I saw the ‘Neon’ music as a bright light, like the love that a close relationship brings into your life. So I ended up writing this song to celebrate my Mum, who I had just lost. The music helped me to express what I was learning about grief, that when you allow yourself to feel the pain of loss you are more able to appreciate and understand the love,” says Lori Sky.
“Covid forced us to become more creative in how we collaborate with others. As a band, we wrote the music and then sent it to Lori Sky, an Irish singer-songwriter. Lori listened to the track and wrote lyrics to the song, which are very personal to her and yet, there are very universal themes here about love, loss and grief,” says David Carroll.
As of June 3, ‘Neon’ will be available across online stores and streaming platforms, including Spotify and Apple Music. The full ‘Ayla’ EP will be released on June 18.
CREDITS
Written by Bilbosa and Lorraine McCauley (Lori Sky)
Lyrics and vocals by Lorraine McCauley (Lori Sky)
Music performed by Bilbosa
Produced, recorded and mixed by Tristan Martinelli
Mastered by Mattia Cominotto at Greenfog Studio (Genoa, Italy)
Cover artwork by Stefano Pulcini with Jellyfish sculpture by Gabriele Gennaro
Keep up with Bilbosa
Facebook | Bandcamp | Instagram | Twitter | Soundcloud | YouTube | Spotify | Apple Music | Booking contact | Press contact
Keep up with Lori Sky
Website | Facebook | Instagram | Soundcloud | Twitter | Spotify | YouTube
