Album review: Armonite - The Sun is New Each Day

Armonite is a band with a long history and a story that plays out very much like a fairytale or a feel good music industry folktale. An Italian band made up of classically trained duo composer Paolo Fosso and violinist Jacopo Bigi, Armonite, formed exactly 20 years whilst both band members were in college. After releasing their debut album in 1999 the two decided to go separate ways, however, they have now returned 15 years later to bring us their long overdue sophomore album The Sun Is New Each Day.

The opening track Suitcase Wars is an extravagant instrumental which paves the way for what is expected on the rest of the album. The two put their classical background to use whilst fusing it with a heavy Rock sound, creating a totally unique vibe and an exciting soundscape. Instead of shredding guitars the band use keyboards and electric violins as the centre stage instruments over crashing drums and a steady bass.

This isn’t just operatic Rock music or classical music. This is an attempt at popularising those particular genres and serving the audience ready made pop sized helpings. The compositions and dramatic change in drum patterns are not too dissimilar to how Everything Everything go about their songwriting. ‘G’ as in Gears is like a frenetic lullaby that is strangely catchy, whilst the violins in Sandstorm deliver more feeling than any singer could attempt to do.

Most of the time The Sun Is New Each Day consists of songs that could have been Bond themes if they tried. Some aspects of the track Satellites fit that particular bill as it borders on the dangerous and extreme. Armonite know how to transfer particular feelings and emotions through their instruments and not a note feels out of place. It is music made for the theatre but in a modern way.

Watch the video for Suitcase War below: