Super review by Cal Gibson, of The Secret Soul Society.

Gently does it for Chiara Iannicello‘s debut album which comes ladled in swathes of sweetly-sung Italian jazz-pop vibes. The strings swoon, the beats pitter and patter and Chiaré looks at love and life and laughter with a cool, appraising eye. 

There’s a natural subconscious flow to proceedings that’s fresh and vital, an innocent gentleness that spreads itself generously around. It’s low key and artful, impressionistic and elemental, catchy and childlike. Idiosyncratic, even: check opener Baroco with its soft swells of synth, picked guitar lines and unhurried goodness – music to collapse into, to wash away the stink of the daily grind.

Foria is suspension incarnate, Rhodes chords weeping softly to themselves, soul music squeezed into something small but meaningful: early morning reports from the land of doubts and disbelief. Strings again coddling the senses, an inherent swing in the louche arrangements. It’s clever stuff, hours and hours behind the desk for sure. Elastic and syrupy slow at the same time: harmonies clear and free, a lovely vocal performance. Beautiful.

Zanzare is bouncy, flouncy, full of vim while keeping to the laid-back programme. Classic soul riffs reverberate, hipsters get busy and the jazz hounds smile in appreciation: you could call it arch or retro but it’s so clearly coming from a place of love and affection that all is forgiven. It’s a fine line to tread: Chiaré and the singers and players are delightfully sure-footed.

Scalinatella closes shop with a low synth pad underlying the keening vocal: a different dynamic to provide the sense of an ending: the cherubic grace of the earlier cuts leaning into something darker, fluidity giving way to stasis. A haunting, hang-dog way to wrap things up.

Roman label Four Flies have unearthed a little gem by stepping away from obscure Italian library reissues into something of a mini modern masterpiece. If sadness and unhappiness are kicking around your doorstep you could do much worse than inviting Chiaré in for half an hour of joyful emotions and studied simplicity: it takes a lot to make it sound this effortless. Bellissima!

Chiaré is out now on Four Flies.