above me’s (Rick Altieri) ‘Soften The Blows’ operates within a carefully negotiated space between density and delicacy, where guitar-driven pop structures are filtered through a sensibility attuned to texture, rhythm, and subtle disorientation. As the primary architect behind above me, Altieri constructs the album alone, yet the record rarely feels solitary. Instead, it carries the impression of layered thought, of sounds assembled and reassembled until they arrive at a fragile equilibrium. The contributions of Lauren Matsui (Rhymies), whose backing vocals appear across several tracks, provide an additional human contour that offsets the album’s more abstract tendencies.
“Feelsee” opens with a kind of suspended clarity, its melodic core partially obscured by a haze of processed guitar and soft-edged electronics. Altieri’s instinct for balance is immediately apparent; nothing dominates for long, and each element is introduced with a sense of proportion that keeps the track from collapsing under its own density. “Water Drops” refines this approach, its rhythmic structure more pronounced, the interplay between drum machine pulses and melodic fragments creating a subtle push-and-pull that feels both precise and fluid. Matsui’s backing vocals here lend a faint warmth, threading through the arrangement without disrupting its internal logic.
“Monolith” suggests a heavier emotional weight, though it avoids overt dramatics. The title implies solidity, yet the track itself feels porous, its layers shifting in small but perceptible ways. This interplay between expectation and execution becomes a recurring theme, particularly in “Dissolving Charms,” where Altieri leans further into abstraction. The song’s structure seems to hover rather than settle, its melodic ideas emerging and receding in a manner that resists easy categorization.
“French Candle” introduces a moment of relative intimacy, its arrangement pared back just enough to allow the melodic line to come into clearer focus. The restraint shown here underscores Altieri’s understanding of pacing, an awareness that density is most effective when contrasted with space. “Bit Angel” follows with a more fragmented sensibility, its rhythmic components slightly offset, creating a sense of quiet unease that never becomes overwhelming.
“Glowing Faces” stands out for its interplay between brightness and obscurity. The track carries a melodic immediacy that feels almost accessible, yet it remains filtered through layers of processing that keep it just out of reach. Matsui’s vocal contributions enhance this duality, adding a human presence that feels both integrated and elusive. “Trample All The Flowers” shifts toward a more assertive rhythm, its title suggesting disruption, though the execution remains measured. The track builds through accumulation rather than escalation, each layer reinforcing the last without tipping into excess.
“Windmill” introduces a cyclical motion, its patterns repeating with slight variations that create a sense of continuity. This circularity is echoed in “Chromey,” where the interplay between metallic textures and softer melodic elements produces a subtle contrast. The track feels both mechanical and organic, a duality that runs throughout the album. Closing piece “Pin That Never Pricks” brings the record to a reflective conclusion. Its title suggests an absence of impact, yet the track itself lingers through its restraint. Matsui’s backing vocals return here, providing a gentle counterpoint to Altieri’s layered instrumentation. The song does not seek resolution in any conventional sense; instead, it settles into a state of quiet persistence, allowing its elements to coexist without forcing a definitive conclusion.
Across ‘Soften The Blows’, Altieri demonstrates a nuanced understanding of how to merge influences without becoming beholden to them. His background in projects such as Blue Ocean and Aluminum is perceptible in the album’s rhythmic sensibility and textural awareness, yet above me operates according to its own internal logic. The combination of guitar-driven frameworks, sampled beats, and carefully shaped electronic elements results in a sound that feels cohesive without being rigid.
The album’s strength lies in its attention to detail, in the way each sound is placed with care, each transition considered. It invites engagement not through overt gestures but through its quiet insistence on nuance. ‘Soften The Blows’ offers a listening experience defined by understated shifts and carefully maintained balance, a work that reveals its character through precision and subtlety rather than declaration.
Releases May 1, 2026
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