We recently finished watching the first (and unfortunately the last) season of HBO’s series “Vinyl”. It reminded us how music isn’t only part of culture but in certain cases it helped define a culture. Since music is playing all the time in our office, we decided to put together a list of albums that we always go back to when “Discover Weekly Playlist” fails us. These albums undeniably shape our work and culture here at La Come Di.
“Currents”by Tame Impala
Oh man! If there is anything that can be labeled “perfect” it’s this album. From beginning to end, it’s a story that lingers in the mind long after the last song has finished, and the only remedy is to start all over again. It is impossible to skip a track of “Currents” without feeling that you have missed out. Kevin Parker managed to master every beat and every word in every track while still making it accessible to a wide range of listeners. It reminds us that seeking perfection and attention to detail never goes unnoticed. We read that Parker locked himself day and night in a beachside home studio to record “Currents”. We’re not saying that everyone should do the same, but we do believe that every piece of work deserves that type of obsessive commitment.
“Live Arena Di Verona” by Paolo Conte
Paolo Conte, the godfather of La Come Di. We saw him live in 2015 in Reggio Emilia when the seeds of the brand were still being planted. We sat in anticipation hoping that he would play the song “Come Di” any minute, and when he did, that was like him sealing the deal and La Come Di felt real for the first time. This album is a reminder of our origins and a beautiful compilation of Conte in action. Nothing gets us to work like his Italian poetry mixed with dreamy jazz and a kazoo. Not to mention the way he goes to polar ends from “Via Con Me” to “Molto Lontano, from “Come Di” to “Elegia”, from the serious to the slightly serious to the not so serious, all wrapped in a grainy voice. It is what we aim to be at La Come Di, art that spans extreme mediums and expressions.
“Junk” by M83
“Junk” played on loop for so many days and we wish we can intellectually explain why. Let’s say this though, it’s a lot of fun. It taps into a cheesy nostalgic room in our hearts and it’s so hard to deny it entry. Listening to “Junk” is very colorful, as in it literally draws scenes from memory especially if you’re an 80’s kid. Oh and that saxophone! It’s hard not to imagine a man on a rooftop at night, wearing sunglasses and a pink suit playing that sax with a layer of oversaturated VHS mess. But wait, it’s 2017… Exactly! Also, Beck makes an appearance in “Time Wind”, a track that really should have been recorded in the 80s. If we are to compile a playlist to our “Plastique” collection, a song from “Junk” will most probably make the cut.
“VEGA INTL. Night School” by Neon Indian
Our latest discovery, Neon Indian! In this album he manages to capture us in a time machine that drops us randomly back and forth in a timeline of his choosing. The music is a mix of stories painted with the fluorescent lights of disco and motel signs. And it goes on and on like that, like one long night of tireless dance. If you’ve never heard of Neon Indian, we recommend you follow the next steps. First, open Illustrator. Second, start a new file (don’t name it, leave it as Untitled-1). Then press play on the first song “Hit Parade” and hold on to the mouse/stylus for a great ride. We tested this and we can’t recommend it more.
“Arabology” by Y.A.S.
Y.A.S. is a duo electro project between the singer Yasmine Hamdan and the producer Mirwais Ahmadzaï. That’s enough explaining, just go and listen to the album. Take our word for it, there has never been an attempt to create something even remotely close to “Arabology” in the Arab world. Lyrically, Yasmine is known for drawing from the deep well of Arabic pop culture and wrapping it in a new attitude. To us, she’s the anti-hero to what Arabic mainstream music have become, and to that, we cannot be more proud. From Soap Kills, to Y.A.S. to her latest solo work, Hamdan will continue to rock and we will continue to rock to her tunes.
If you found similarities between the music that inspires you and our list, let us know on Twitter @lacomedi
P.S. To whom it may concern, please cast Bobby Cannavale in a new lead role now… NOW!!!