Laura Agnusdei - Goro (2023)

Reeds gently pirouetting amidst a fluvial landscape, a field of images that swirl between dream scenarios, second thoughts and reality. This is ‘Goro’, a new body of work by Italian saxophonist, composer and improviser Laura Agnusdei, an evocative journey that meshes noirish ambient, am-radio pop fantasy, lounge fever and organic pulsating proto-techno.

Originally commissioned by Maple Death and comic book publishing house Canicola Edizioni, Goro’s music was directly inspired by Italian author Pastoraccia’s debut 'Quasi Nessuno Ha Riso Ad Alta Voce' and initially translated live as a performance piece and sound installation.. Influenced by the graphic novel’s eerie and unresolved atmosphere Agnusdei’s music ebbs and flows uniting atonal chimes, piano stabs and field recordings underpinned by perfectly calibrated sax themes that can transform wildly exploratory moments into full-fledged songs.

‘Matilde’s Lemon Dance’ oscillates, carried by Laura’s voice and pastoral pads, spawning a kraut minimal techno ballad; ‘Sasha’ recalls the metronomic playfulness of Norman Salant, all boudoir waltz and Lynchian bravado; ‘Maciste, Wet Nights’ veers into spiritual realness, connecting Fourth World electronics, spoken word and sax vignettes. ‘Goro’ ends with ‘Pontelagoscuro’ a 15 minute voyage helmed by a gracious piano lead and location recordings that would not be out of place on a Gastr Del Sol release.

‘Goro’ in some respects is Laura Agnusdei’s most expanding and unvarnished work to date, a beautiful companion piece that highlights her incredible path in the European underground community, music constantly searching for a new landing, a serene distillation of past and future dreams.