VOICES

MANGALA VALLIS releases his 4th album at the beginning of the year for a renewed sound, pop rock atmospheres a little used that made the happiness of our radio stations some time ago. They enjoy composing in harmony with sounds that seem to please them. "The Centre of Life" opens the album with a warm title, almost rocky voice and pop-prog-FM air, synth well present for an energetic rock with bass emphasis, then a well-placed solo that defines the sound well. "No Reason" continues with a more FM radio tune, both in tone and rhythm; the English voice is so pleasant to hear that there are no markers on Italian origin; after a few gentle choruses, the second part is very gradual with development around the synth and guitar solo also rhythmic, its well in the atmosphere of the 90's, catchy title. "Get It While You Can" follows with a warm piano and guitar arpeggio, all surrounded by Roberto's sensual and deep voice; alternating FM moments languorous style ballad and breaks more incisive with percussion well in place allows to give an airy and less intimate dimension, the guitar solo of Niky and the synth base of Gianfranco turning the ball in a beautiful way until the piano returns. "The Voice Inside" also begins with a piano and drum rhythm, and a high voice, reminiscent of what was done in the 80's and 90's, good but without any real novelty; here again, it's the guitar that saves the composition a little with notes that tear the air and make a little go in three times; FM solo par excellence , then return of the agreed chorus. "An End to an End" pushes the nail even further with this title pulling on new wave sounds with synths giving electronic rhythm; one is limited here on a pop-rock ballad to listen to in car and open windows or convertible, the air slide guitar limit country giving a little more in the genre with a battery of a shot highlighted, the end with an orchestral break almost symphonic . "Demon" arrives, energetic with synths again forward, it reminds from afar of the constructions of SAGA where synth turned the ball with the guitar during a verse; it's energetic, a bit of the GENESIS of the 80's or the MARILLION in fact, but without the voice here too garish, too acute; fortunately as since the beginning of the album, the title starts on a different tune, a second drawer in the middle of the course giving more sensitivity, more warmth to the development of the title well rock in fact with his guitar solo well placed; the last drawer returns squarely to a rock FM sound of the 80's with the invasive voice on a last solo. "Sour" for the 7th and final track of this short album for the romantic ballad centered on the beautiful voice of Roberto, impeccable English; it's sweet, languorous, not melancholy, just the ideal slow a little out of phase at the beginning of 2020; the guitar solo is there purely enjoyable, we imagine the lighters light up at the end of the concert (yes before the laptops, it was lighter!) MANGALA VALLIS has finally released an album, far from the sounds of the start, far from the neo-prog that characterized it, in a more modern and rock musical framework, but not metal, not jazzy as is often customary for some time. This album is at the crossroads of the 80's whether in the neo movement or in the new wave, more in fm rock. "Voices" is supposed to represent what is inside us, our voices and our thoughts about our advancing age and which actually requires synthesising the music we love. Hence the idea of freeing themselves from their roots and their reference groups from the start; the flaw because there is lack is the lack of imagination of this album that would be perfect in 1980, pleasant during the 90's, but which here is sorely lacking constructive energy and progressive clean. In fact, despite the touching voice and well-ordered sounds, it lacks the momentum of madness that characterizes the musical creations of the moment; a good album certainly, especially for this magic guitar during solos, but an album too common in fact, and that perhaps goes too far off the beaten track.