"I don't want to change no more / I don't want to change no more..."
The percolating trance cadence of "Cosmic Fall" by Juju, the visions of Sicilian multi-instrumentalist and producer Gioele Valenti flanked by band members Vincenzo Schillaci and Andrea Chentrens, feels tribal like a manifestation, like a hippie cleansing ritual or sorts, an art punk / psychedelic rock mystery. Love the textures, opposing bass pushes and guitar rhythms, subtle one time embellishments of sound, synths that feel like natural ambiance and droning sound that feel like vintage organs. It is all conjures up dark gospels, curly hair and white robes. It feels expansive, simmering, dreamy and art as organic vines of sound.
"Cosmic Fall" is the type of song that is exquisitely crafted but somehow feels like it just sprung up out of pure improvisation or, maybe more to the point, incarnation. JuJu stands on the precipice, the release of their fifth album, 'APOCALYPSE IS GOD’S SPOILER', dropping on March 15th via the UK label Sister 9. Their latest offering features two exceptional guests: Chad Channing of Seattle majesties Nirvana and Luca Giovanardi from Italian psych combo Julie’s Haircut.
LINER NOTES (bracketed):
[Sicilian multi-instrumentalist and producer Gioele Valenti is a key figure of the European underground music scene. He is one half of acclaimed Occult Psych project Lay Llamas (Rocket Recordings) and the man behind Herself, a folktronica project that involved the likes of Jonathan Donahue of Mercury Rev, John Fallon of The Steppes and Amaury Cambuzat of Faust and Ulan Bator. He was also the guitarist of Josefin Öhrn + The Liberation. Chiefly, he gave rise to the genre-defying project JuJu, championed by the likes of Goatman and Capra Informis of GOAT.]
[With 'APOCALYPSE IS GOD’S SPOILER', JuJu once again redefines the game. This album not only signifies an evolution from their established sound but also marks a return to their roots and a more pronounced embrace of "western" imagery. If 'La Que Sabe' sparked an irresistible vibration, enticing sacrilegious disco rituals entwined with Shoegaze guitars, the new LP embraces that blend of western Post Punk, Shoegaze, Darkwave, Industrial, Synthpop and then anchors it to the Tribal and Occult Psych elements of JuJu's origins. The first single, 'Dead at 25,' resonates with echoes of Depeche Mode and The Doors, while 'Black And White' explores the African rock frontier, featuring the lingering influence of Gioele’s past associates GOAT. The tribal vibes of 'Cosmic Fall' contribute to making JuJu’s new album a nuanced reinterpretation of both a new and old narrative, firmly establishing roots while surpassing their own established style.]
For me "Cosmic Fall" begs you to read between the lines. Sonically it feels like vintage other worldly psychedelia that like an amalgam of early MGMT and 13th Floor Elevators. It feels art punk-esque, abstract, hypnotic like a sonic meditation or exorcism.
-Robb Donker Curtius
THE FACTS AS WE KNOW THEM
https://herself1.bandcamp.com/album/juju-la-que-sabe-second-press
https://www.instagram.com/juju_gioelevalenti/
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCekVf-F7y_rpXBfadxGPLTA
Gioele Valenti, aka Juju, is a very talented musician from Sicily (Italy), he started in 2000 with his first project, Herself, and was produced by Ulan Bator's front-man and Faust's guitarist Amaury Cambuzat. He also collaborated and recorded with Mercury Rev's Jonathan Donahue, who invited him to tour with the band. He was then one half of Lay Llamas, co-writing and producing their debut Ostro (Rocket Recordings), a small classic of Italian Occult Psych. He then toured with Goat extensively across Europe, both as Lay Llamas and as the guitarist of Josefin Öhrn And The Liberation.
Maps And Territory is the third LP he releases as Juju. They have been with Fuzz Club for the last two years and have made an impression in past editions of Liverpool Psych Fest and Fuzz Club Eindhoven festival, as well as touring Europe.
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