Axel Samano – Deus Ex Machina (DCD Album – ScentAir Records)
Genre/Influences: Electro-pop, symphonic-pop.
Background/Info: The best way to
introduce Axel Samano is to read what he has to say: ‘despite the fact I was
born somewhere you call a country; I consider myself a trans-human and a global
citizen, I do not have country, I do not have religion; I believe in nothing
else but in the pure essence of freedom and love, kindness and good actions
towards my Universe. – And nothing else.’ This album features two discs; first
you have the “Deus Ex Machina”-CD and next the more conceptual “The
Storyteller”.
Content: “Deus Ex Machina” is
clearly driven by electro-pop music, but it also is much more than that.
There’s a clear link with 80s influences and especially some electro effects.
The main particularity is the somewhat symphonic-inspired arrangements. The
album features 9 songs sung in English and 9 more songs sung in Spanish. The
Spanish cuts are more dance-like and less ‘inspired’. The vocals are sometimes
a bit whispering-like.
“The Storyteller” is what I would call a conceptual album and, which can be
resumed as a transgender committing suicide and who has to face God. The tracks
are separated in 5 chapters. Each song is preceded by a narration dealing with
the concept. The songs reveal a surprising, but explicit symphonic-pop
approach. All lyrics are in English.
+ + + : The least I can say is that
Axel Samano deals with a rather unusual and original approach in electro-pop
music. The symphonic arrangements are not exactly what you expect by this kind
of music. The songs also reflect a real mature writing. I like the 80s effects
running through the first disc while the concept of the second disc appears to
be a real accomplishment.
– – – : Despite of this artist’s
original approach and a fascinating conceptual disc, I’m not entirely
convinced. The Spanish songs featured at the first disc remain a bit flat and sometimes
sound a bit ‘cheap’. I get the impression the artist has used a lot of simple
preset sounds and that’s a pity as I really believe Axel Samano is a talented
musician. So I expected a bit more in the global sound treatments.
Conclusion: I feel a bit embarrassed
about this work; on one side I especially appreciate the symphonic element,
which has something refreshing, but on the other side the songs don’t sound
fully accomplished.
Best songs: “The Hunter”, “Power And
Glory” + “Fundamentals”.
Rate: (6).
Artist: www.axelsamano.com / www.facebook.com/axelsamanomusic
Label: www.scent-air.com / www.facebook.com/ScentairRecords
Since you’re here …
… we have a small favour to ask. More people are reading Side-Line Magazine than ever but advertising revenues across the media are falling fast. Unlike many news organisations, we haven’t put up a paywall – we want to keep our journalism as open as we can - and we refuse to add annoying advertising. So you can see why we need to ask for your help.
Side-Line’s independent journalism takes a lot of time, money and hard work to produce. But we do it because we want to push the artists we like and who are equally fighting to survive.
If everyone who reads our reporting, who likes it, helps fund it, our future would be much more secure. For as little as 5 US$, you can support Side-Line Magazine – and it only takes a minute. Thank you.
The donations are safely powered by Paypal.
