South Florida based singer/songwriter Alex Di Leo
is a familiar regional name thanks to his tenure in the band Wyld Fly, but the
six song EP So We Go represents his first foray into the marketplace under his
own banner. It’s a stunning debut and hints at greatness to come. Di Leo’s
songwriting skills are evident in every track – there’s a solid foundation he
builds on with an assortment of production touches and discreet instrumentation
that never oversteps its boundaries. His vocals, as well, concentrate on
conveying their stories and meaning while refraining from any needless
histrionics. Melody is the essential building block in all of these songs and
they are made even stronger with the inclusion of spot on harmonies. The
material is decidedly mainstream, but never panders to trends and wears its
influences on its sleeve without ever lapsing into outright imitation.
Few songs illustrate the last point better than the
title song. “So We Go” is definitely capable of garnering Di Leo some much
deserved attention from the Internet and radio, but there’s a deceptively
complex musical talent working here. The ability to take essentially simple musical
structures and make something richer from them without weighing them down with
needless pretense is an underestimated gift. Di Leo, however, possesses it in
abundance. It’s further on display with the EP’s second song “Making It
Easier”. He uses dynamics in these songs like a hard rock band might employ
them and it builds a number of small crescendos into the arrangement sure to
entrance many listeners. His musical vision encompasses softer acoustic strains
as well. “Reason” is, far and away, the album’s most introspective tune in some
respects and Di Leo’s arrangement nearly dovetails with the spirit of its
lyrical content.
His pop instincts merge well with his more serious
inclinations on the memorable “When We First Met”. Much of this song’s lasting
impact on the listener can be lain at the feet of its superb vocal harmonies
and artful production, but it’s simply quite a sturdy song that would have
proven just as memorable stripped down to a few essentials. “I’ve Been Waiting”
sets up the first part of the EP’s concluding one-two punch with talent and
ambition to burn. Di Leo’s skill level is such that he’s capable of condensing
entire musical universes within traditionally small spaces and never overload
the listener. The dynamic sweep of this track will snatch listeners up and keep
them involved for its duration. The album’s final song, “Waking Up”, is every
bit as jolting as the title suggests and invites listeners to stick with it
every second. This is Di Leo’s compositional zenith – he’s orchestrated this
track beautifully and its position as the album’s final curtain couldn’t have
been set up any better.
There’s something here teetering on the cusp of
greatness, a blossoming musical vision that will likely continue expanding with
new live shows, new albums. It is impressively complete now. So We Go brims
over with melody, invention, and message, but it’s equally entertaining and
physically compelling music.
FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/Alexdileomusic
9 out of 10 stars
Joshua Stryde
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