It’s been a while since a new album really moved me. More often it’s due to the fact that discovering new music is always overwhelming to me. I basically stumble upon music through word of mouth and random nights browsing late on Spotify.
Alessandro Ruggieri, a regular contributor to the site also plays guitar and sings in the Macerata, Italy based band Na Na Na Na. Upon a first general listen I was immediately taken back to the lo-fi rock days of the late 80s. Their debut record, Constant Puberty is a carefully concentrated album with heavy influences but a trans-decade newness feel for the rock genre.
“Tinder (intro)”, which I have to say I’m very much into and interludes in records. Already this feels like a deep dive into melodic but yet hard rock vibes on the record. The next track “Confident” is super strong with a late 60s rock vibe. Imagine driving down Laurel Canyon in 1968. It’s chill but just melodic enough to get you going for the rest of the vibes.
“Complain” is another one of my standouts with the tempo of a garage rock song but with song structures reminiscent of the grunge era. The album is literally standouts the whole ways through. Bringing you into the recurring “Tinder (interlude)” where the tunes swells even higher than the introduction.
The middle to the end of the album feels like a heavy Evan Dando influence in “Life”. Where was this song when they were making the film Empire Records in 1995? “Consequences” is like an early those early Sub-Pop releases, in that it’s full of energy and life and makes you want to break through in your skin. Just a fucking jam.
Another standout one in the last half of the album is “Keep”, just has that experimental free form melodic quality that works so well in the timing. “Sleep” is a great closer like an bedroom pop heavy lo-fi with just enough of that indie folk rhythm.
Literally this record is on heavy rotation for me right now. I’m so stoked to see where these guys go next and hopefully they’ll be in the States soon cause I can imagine a hell of a show it would be.
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Photography by Alessandro Ruggieri @use.less.useless.words
ALESSANDRO RUGGIERI – guitar and vocals
DANIELE GATTO – drums, synth and vocals
CARLO ANGELETTI – bass
