For roughly two years, Porcelain Raft, the solo project of one Mauro Remiddi, has churned out a string of effects-drenched and drum-machine-reliant bedroom recordings. These quiet explorations and ruminations tend toward the brightly confessional, anchored by his subtly sharp guitar work and considered, constricted coo. The singer — from New York via London, via Italy — has just released his first proper full-length album, Strange Weekend, and thankfully (for the most part), he hasn't left the bedroom too far behind.
Remiddi got his first taste of success in the London-based Sunny Day Sets Fire, a cheery indie-pop quintet swept up in the early-aughts parade of grandeur — your Animal Fires and Arcade Collectives. Some of his previous band's enthusiasm still comes through in Remiddi's current solo work, especially in the swells and the implacable optimism. But Remiddi is at his best when he leans into the shadows and the minor chords, as in the final progression of "Drifting In and Out."
As a bare-bones drum mix and synth blinders fade into view, a plinking guitar line takes over, and Remiddi beseeches listeners to "use what you have / don't you worry now." But by the end of "Drifting In and Out," a garage-y corner has been turned, half joyful and half daring and all exultant, which is exactly the fence Porcelain Raft seems most comfortable sitting atop.
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