Review: DARDUST - "Urban Impressionism" (Track by Track)

“Urban Impressionism” represents Dardust's fifth sonic journey, a work that is not limited to simple musical composition, but explores the depths of an aesthetic that borders on music, architecture and modern philosophy.

Also for these, his new sound installation Dardust experiments and breaks down the walls and boundaries of neoclassical/contemporary music and does so, as usual, by uniting the arts and harmonizing contrasts starting from new sources of inspiration.

Yet another virtuous sonic challenge which on a conceptual level represents a true synthesis capable of recomposing its dichotomies.

To compose the album he researches, experiments and investigates. On the one hand, the architectural geometries of urban suburbs, from brutalism to post-modernism, which in music translate into genuine expressions, forged without resorting to embellishments or productive artifices; on the other, the rapid brushstrokes of pictorial impressionism, which are reflected in his approach to composition.

Dardust explores new urban scenarios through travel and sound recordings in the suburbs of different cities and does so by taking as a model the impressionists' ability to paint scenes of modern life outdoors by representing reality in a subjective way and emphasizing personal and immediate perception rather than the precision of details.

It all started from an analysis of the compositional structures of Brian Eno, Debussy and Steve Reich. From there I found my own “minimal” language, in which the piano continues to play a central role” says Dardust:

I tried to create an album with an urban and dreamlike atmosphere, crossed by the analogue sounds of the Moog One, Juno 66 and Take5 synthesizers, the repetitions of the Godfather and by samples recorded in the urban spaces of Paris, New York and London. I liked the idea of coloring the black and white of our emotional zones like an impressionist painter. The suburbs that dress in new colors are nothing more than “the non-places” of our multifaceted emotional sphere left aside, our traumas, our wounds. Vulnerabilities that must be explored and investigated without fear, to acquire a renewed luminosity and shape a better version of ourselves.”

With “Urban Impressionism”, Dardust once again does not limit himself to composing music, but creates a soundscape that dialogues with architecture, with its geometries and its emotions. An innovative and bold attempt to restore to music not only its aesthetic value, but also its ability to reflect, purify and transform space and soul

TRACK BY TRACK TOLD BY DARDUST

Urban Impressionism

“Urban Impressionism” is the song that gives the album its title and which captures my dreamlike vision of the city and the suburbs. Fusing impressionistic piano with urban electronic sounds, the song conveys a sense of anticipation and awakening. This homage to Debussy includes a reference to his style. Furthermore, there is also a quote from Liszt's “Les jeux d'eaux à la Villa d'Este”, a piece that I have studied for the last two years and which is among my favorites. Instead of water fountains, the song depicts traffic flow, brutalist buildings and skyline perspectives, thus creating the atmosphere of the record.

Mon Cœur, Béton Brut

The song symbolizes our emotional barriers and the concrete buildings we build to protect ourselves. The “impressionist” piano section reflects our desire to express ourselves and connect despite these walls. The black and white video, shot at “Les Arènes de Picasso” in Paris, complements the music. The song blends glitchy, minimal rhythms with a piano motif inspired by Albéniz's “Asturias,” capturing the tension between emotional protection and the need for connection.

Nocturne of You

Unlike other songs on the album, “Nocturne of You” was written in the middle of the night, a year ago, after my relationship ended. Before I went to sleep I wanted to write an essay that captured the sense of loss and longing. That night I dreamed of composing a piece and woke up with the urge to memorize and record it. It is an ode to finished love, a painting of its nocturnal side. The depth of the night amplifies my emotions, giving me a nuanced but intense perception of everything.

Impression, Skyline

Staying in Manhattan on the 12th floor, I had a breathtaking view of the skyline and beautiful sunsets. I wanted to capture these moments but I didn't have the piano with me, back in Milan, I composed from memory, similar to Monet's approach with “Impression, Sunrise”. The song translates into music the splendid loneliness I felt every evening. It is a simple and immediate improvisation that merges with electronic elements, a sketch intentionally left unfinished, in which the electronic and piano parts mix seamlessly.

Alba (oil on concrete)

“Alba (oil on concrete)” contrasts with “Impression, Skyline” and was the first song I wrote for this trip. In Paris, wandering Brutalist places at dawn, I saw the magical orange color reflecting off the concrete buildings. This dawn marked the beginning of a new musical journey. The sunlight that colored the gray concrete inspired the album's concept: bringing color to the black and white of the suburbs. Like a painter with music, I translated this concept into music, giving birth to the idea of Urban Impressionism, a synthesis of two distant worlds.

The Art of Falling

I have always been fascinated by falls. The images in this album show a tightrope walker challenging heights, without fear of falling. In this passage, “falling” means letting go, as in love or creativity, it requires abandoning the ego and merging with something else. Growth involves trust and fall. This song celebrates the fusion of love and the idea that every fall, even if seemingly negative, is essential to understanding mistakes, rebuilding and growing into the best version of oneself.

Le Bolero Brutal

“Le Bolero Brutal” was composed by experimenting with a multi-effect device called 'The Godfather', designed by Italian geniuses Luca Simone and Angelo Maffucci of 'Enjoy Electronics'. Inspired by hours of travel between New York and Paris and watching dense suburban buildings create moving geometries, I imagined this piece as the soundtrack to that dance. Steve Reich's minimalist work, especially “City Life”, is a very clear reference, as is his minimalism based on the repetition of loops and melodic cells.

Golden Cage

Inspired by Max Weber's “Iron Cage”, this piece represents my escape from the golden cage of fame and success as a pop producer. I saw myself as an “urban Siddhartha” who leaves his palace to find reality and self-discovery. Escaping the necessity of the pop world took me on a new adventurous path, freeing me from the anxiety of results.

Vertige

“Vertige” is a fun stylistic exercise. In Paris I started dating the talented pianist “Ze In The Clouds”. We jammed and improvised, taking inspiration from Debussy, Liszt and a certain type of romanticism. Together, we ambitiously aimed to create a piece that encompassed two centuries of music.

Dance (en plein air)

A year ago I moved to Paris, to the Latin Quarter. The apartment had a large roof terrace overlooking the City of Lights, where I went with my keyboard. I started to think like a painter, painting the Parisian skyline with notes, literally “en plein air”, outdoors.

L de la Nuit

L de la Nuit” is dedicated to 'L', who could be any of us experiencing the end of a love story. It's a parting gift, marking the end of an important chapter and the beginning of a new one. I thought that this music could be a comfort for the loved one, a guardian of sleep, to illuminate the night hours, the soundtrack of a dream.

Cobalt Love

Cobalt blue is my favorite color, loved by impressionist painters for its vibrancy and depth. They used it to capture skies, water and shadows, giving balance and contrast to their works. If I had to imagine a new love story, it would be in this color. This piece represents my desire for myself and everyone who listens to it: to find a love that evokes calm, tranquility, creativity and stability.

Italian Reverie

“Italian Rêverie” is a dreamy and contemplative work born during my stay in Bologna for the 'Duality Tour'. Overlooking Piazza Maggiore, next to Lucio Dalla's house, the deserted square at night filled me with a sense of gratitude. This song pays homage to the Italian musicians who inspired me, from Ottorino Respighi to Ennio Morricone and Lucio Dalla. It is a simple and immediate piece which, although starting from French impressionism, finds its heart in Italy.