With Still Forms in Air, Francesca Marongiu delivers a debut that lives up to its title: music that feels carried by the wind – airy, melodic, floating. The Rome-based sound composer blends Japanese ambient with Italian experimental tones. The record comprises four pieces – the shortest lasting six, the longest fifteen minutes.
The opener unfolds from delicate glockenspiel motifs that invite drifting thoughts. Brass and electronic beats weave into the main theme until the track dissolves in an orchestrated fade-out. A Dome Under Pines continues this flow: layer by layer, acoustic and electronic elements join in, like impressions of a forest walk that reveals new details with every step.
Marongiu combines tradition and modernity, Italy and Japan, analog instruments and electronics – creating a sound that escapes temporal categorization. Floral Ascent feels darker, almost nocturnal: a sonic tapestry spreads out, electric tones drip into it, yet a climax never comes. The track evokes images of wandering through the night, listening to the subtle sounds of the surroundings. Città Metafisica concludes the journey on a brighter, more playful note.
Marongiu’s background in film and media is unmistakable: her pieces work like short films for the inner eye. Still Forms in Air is a versatile solo debut that sparks curiosity about where the musical wind will carry this multi-talented artist next.
