The “beat”, the hypnotic and obsessive footstep that recalls primitive dances, is the fulcrum of Make It Better, the debut album by Italian band a/lpaca to be released on 19 March 2021 on vinyl, CD, cassette and all digital platforms via We Were Never Being Boring Collective (Italy, USA), Sulatron Records (Germany) and Sour Grapes Records (UK).
“Take the time for the beat and this time make it better“, quoting Make It Better, the title track of the record out as a new single from 26 February 2021 together with the related video by Bianca Maria Lecchini premiered on Louder Than War, is therefore a refrain, a declaration of intent, a manifesto. In one sentence, a/lpaca tell us about their style of making music and their desire to make music a mission.
On a sound level, but also on a narrative one, the pivot of Make It Better is the rhythm: the record takes place in an imaginary “beat club” which is at the same time a place of liberation, fun, aggregation and which also gives the title to the first single Beat Club.
Starting from the city of Mantua, these inputs are developed by four guys – Christian Bindelli on vocals and guitar, Andrea Verrastro on bass, Andrea Fantuzzi on keyboards and Andrea Sordi on drums – who express their vision of “beat music” thanks to a magnetic and nervous sound. The use of the “beat” has always characterized humanity and has spanned the centuries, changing shapes but not its substance. In Make It Better the “beat” is an impersonal spirit that advances like the cold vocal lines and guides the band towards a sort of artistic emancipation. The beat is also a means of aggregation and purification from the “responsibilities” of the real life and the transition from youth to adulthood. Finding refuge in music or simply going out with friends” (“I wanna get drunk, just keep dancing with my friends“, again from the title track Make It Better).
