Marco De Luca, the seasoned singer-songwriter hailing from Atri, has never been one to settle. After three decades navigating the currents of Italy’s alternative music scene—from his 90s band Sine, who loved to cover The Cure, to his solo works ranging from experimental new wave to radio-friendly pop—his fourth album, ‘LA STAGIONE DECISIVA’, feels like a bold, necessary stylistic re-set.
The defining characteristic of this eight-track collection is the ascendancy of the keyboard. Where earlier efforts had the guitar in the driver's seat, here, synths become the nervous system, pulsing through every track with a mix of analogue warmth and sharp, digital edge. The result is an evolution into a more psychedelic rock sound that retains the dark-wave melancholy fans will recognise. The music feels less about gazing back at the past and more about translating its emotional weight into a language for the present moment.
That said, De Luca cleverly weaves his history into the fabric of the album by resurrecting three tracks from the Sine repertoire: 'VIDEOSPAZZATURA,' 'IL MOSTRO,' and 'UN UOMO GENTILE.' These aren't throwaway B-sides; they are fully reinvented to fit the current aesthetic, proving that some emotional themes are timeless. The lead single, 'VIDEOSPAZZATURA', dusted off after thirty years, is chillingly prophetic. It’s a scathing critique of 'pain television' and the modern media's thirst for exploiting human suffering, which, in the age of endless social feeds, feels more relevant than ever.
The entire album is, at its core, a protest. De Luca states that it's "fundamentally a protest against our society that tends to crush and take advantage of the weakest people." This raw, uncompromising lyrical stance is perfectly mirrored by the sonic architecture. Tracks like 'IL GIORNO' and 'IL MOSTRO' possess a visceral, industrial urgency, with guitars scraping and drums pounding with a primal rhythm, designed to jolt the listener awake rather than offer comfort. Conversely, the more atmospheric cuts, such as 'LA FESTA' and 'ALLE DERIVA,' dial into that signature gothic rock tension inspired by his hero, Robert Smith, blending post-punk austerity with cinematic, echo-laced vocals.
The fact that De Luca wrote, arranged, and recorded the entire project himself grants ‘LA STAGIONE DECISIVA’ an intense, palpable cohesion. Every jagged riff, sweeping synth line, and raw vocal delivery feels intentional, carved directly from the artist’s psyche. It's an album that demands to be felt—unsettling, mesmerising, and ultimately, a definitive statement of artistic resilience and identity.
Available on all digital stores, this record is essential listening for anyone who appreciates alternative rock with both muscle and a conscience. For more, be sure to connect with Marco De Luca on Bandcamp, Instagram, Facebook, and X.
