In the singular overlap of minimalist electronic composition and rhythmic intuition, the collaboration between Francesca Bono and Vittoria Burattini has evolved into something profoundly fluid and crystalline. With the release of ‘Ora Sono Un Lago,’ the duo moves beyond the motorik rigidity of their debut toward a more expansive, aquatic internal logic. Recorded across the storied halls of L’Amor Mio Non Muore in Forlì and the experimental corridors of Synecdoche Music Research in Berlin, the album is a testament to the power of economy, where every synth pulse and drum hit is weighted with a specific, deliberate intention.
The record opens with the title track, “Ora sono un lago,” which immediately establishes a sense of reflective stillness. Bono’s mastery of synthesizers and keyboards creates a shimmering, translucent environment, while Burattini’s drumming provides a grounding, framing pulse. This dialogue between the ethereal and the terrestrial continues into “Prove d’esistenza/II gesto,” a composition that feels like a slow-motion awakening. Here, the percussion recorded at Devil’s Studio in Bologna adds a crisp, visceral dimension to the duo’s layered vocal arrangements, highlighting a newfound complexity in their shared harmonic language.
As the album progresses into “Nuda Vela” and “Come un riflesso,” the chemistry between the two musicians becomes increasingly telepathic. Bono’s use of classic guitar adds a human warmth to the electronic textures, while Burattini’s rhythmic choices avoid the obvious, opting instead for patterns that breathe and undulate. The track “Acrobata” serves as a focal point of balance, utilizing a subtle hi-hat performance that emphasizes the duo’s ability to create tension through restraint. It is a work of high-level discipline, proving that silence is just as vital a component of their sound as the noise itself.
A notable expansion of the duo’s core sound occurs on Tra le labbra, which features the guest bass work of Marcello Petruzzi. Petruzzi’s presence adds a deep, melodic anchor to the track, allowing Bono and Burattini to explore a more shadowed, noir-inflected territory. This sense of delicate movement carries into Fragili danze, a piece that captures the fragility of the human connection through its interlocking synth lines and percussive shuffles. The production by Francesco Donadello is impeccable throughout, ensuring that the natural resonance of the instruments is preserved within a modern, wide-screen sonic field.
The final tracks of the record provide a cinematic peak with “II volo dell’angelo” and “Oltre le palpebre.” These tracks demonstrate the duo’s ability to evoke vast landscapes with minimal tools, moving from the soaring, weightless feel of the former to the internal, closed-eye meditation of the latter. The album reaches its poignant conclusion with “Lonely blue star,” a track that strips away the density to leave the listener with a haunting, singular melody. It is a final statement of isolation and beauty that perfectly bookends the album’s journey into the depths of the self.
‘Ora Sono Un Lago’ is a consummate realization of two distinct artistic voices merging into a singular, unified vision. Bono and Burattini have crafted a record that rewards the patient listener, offering a sanctuary of sound that is both intellectually stimulating and emotionally resonant. By embracing the metaphor of the lake, a body of water that is both calm on the surface and teeming with hidden life below, they have created one of the most compelling experimental pop records of the year thus far.
Releases March 6, 2026
Find out more by visiting: Maple Death Records | Bandcamp
