Camera Oslo is a warmly melodic new album from Italian artist Cassandra Raffaele, showing a cinematic vein of pop that ranges from guitar-fronted immediacy to orchestral-laden haunts.
The album’s atmospheric, cinematic pull is echoed immediately in the first track, whose title and general aesthetic references the great Ennio Morricone. Enthusiastic whistling is gradually accompanied by luxurious strings, and then Raffaele’s lushly entrancing vocal lead. The enchanting wordless vocals, twangy guitars, jazzy piano, and serene strings converge for a thoroughly compelling opener, and the captivating qualities of the album continue onward from there.
“Casa” is further indicative of the album’s chamber-pop growths. Charismatic piano and yearning vocals set a yearning scene, bolstered by heart-tugging strings and escalating vocal emotion into the mid-point. “Antidoto” is another track that stands out for its string-laden feeling, while touting more urgency than “Casa” in its dazzling conclusion, especially.
Showing a jangly rock-friendly charm, “Giovanna” is an accessible success with a further dream-pop appeal in the chorus. Gentle guitars and spacey keys complement Raffaele’s calm vocal presence, resulting in a memorable track on an album with many.
Camera Oslo was produced in Italy by Roberto Villa at L’amor mio non muore Studio. It was mastered by James DeMain (Robert Plant, Elton John, Bob Seger) at Yes Master Studios in Nashville.
Stream Camera Oslo below:
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“Giovanna” and others featured this month can be streamed on the updating Obscure Sound’s ‘Best of June 2022’ Spotify playlist.
