Milan psych-rock outfit LATO, born from a deep-rooted underground scene, has evolved into a band with a sophisticated and profoundly expressive sound. LATO intertwines vocals, guitar, and bass grooves with hints of electronica while diverse, multicultural elements borrowed here and there and a flair for lush psychedelia and a suave 60s rock foundation coexist harmoniously.
The most recent album released by the band, titled “Karisma,” is a concept album characterized by a distinctive sound that embodies the distilled essence of the band’s live performances. The record explores the various facets of charisma, ranging from swagger and solidarity to seduction and even the most sordid ways people in society can influence and captivate eachother. The songs featured in the album flow seamlessly, with their mood, melody, atmosphere, and their vivid imagery, floating over a backdrop of elemental rhythms.
“This time it all started from the groove,” says the band. “The songs slowly took shape, it was the rhythm that guided us. It felt like the melodies needed a solid base to hang on to.”
Soul For Blood kicks off the album, driven by a deep, soulful sax that lays a foundation for the lyrics’ exploration of struggle and the quest for freedom. The imagery of reaching a metaphorical sea, signifying liberation, sets a poignant tone. The album shifts gears with Certainty and Disenchantment, where rolling drums punctuate a dynamic exploration of the clash between wonder and certainty. It probes beneath superficial experiences, delving into the emotional depths of relationships and passion.
Millions of Us strikes with a jazzy eeriness that nods to Bowie’s Blackstar, critiquing the stark wealth divide and the effortless flow of riches from the many to the privileged few. It starkly highlights the massive accumulation of wealth, the passivity of potential challengers, and the widespread complacency towards economic disparity.
In Stars Spangling, making a strong nod to Echo & the Bunnymen, themes of personal liberation, reflection, and renewal are prominent as the song reflects on breaking free from historical constraints and reaching a state of peace and joy. The lyric about the “electricity of humans” moving eastward introduces a concept of collective human progress and shifting energies.
Conversely, Triangular explores a tense and introspective encounter with someone who has undergone a significant transformation. This change leads to a profound and emotionally charged impact, vividly described through the metaphorical “triangle of love, life, and death,” which suggests deep emotional conflict and transformation driven by both love and existential threats.
Hole In My Head grapples with themes of emptiness and despair, depicted through the powerful image of a growing hole in the protagonist’s head. The track, which at times sounds like a lost Eels song, articulates the challenges of dealing with unresolved issues and ephemeral dreams, which compound feelings of being overwhelmed and isolated. Next comes Diamonds, which paints a poignant picture of an unrelenting quest for happiness. The lyrics capture a struggle, where hope and despair intermingle, illustrating a journey back from lost paths to a metaphorical sea.
Deep confronts deep-seated fears and destructive habits, highlighting the challenge of recognizing and addressing one’s flaws. It culminates in a call for mutual support, emphasizing the power of connection in overcoming personal crises. Finally, Dancing With Decadence explores themes of disillusionment and betrayal, framed by a backdrop of festering relationships and societal decay. Its dark tone captures the transformation of innocence into something more sinister, as utensils become weapons and prophets lose their messages.
Listen to Karima below, and order the album here.
Karisma was recorded in Milan at Mauro Pagani’s Officine Meccaniche studio and co-produced by LATO along with Antonio “Cooper” Cupertino at San Pedro Studio. The album will be released exclusively in the new “Sound Book” format, a visual booklet that can be combined with the digital version available on Bandcamp.
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