Painting a picturesque landscape using nothing but melody and ingenuity has long been at the epicenter of avant pursuits. Lustrous locks of tonal notes floating in the breeze as each counterpart unfurls, becoming sinewy strings of texture set against a golden background. It is among such a romantic setting that the works of Fabio Orsi glimmer, catching the sun’s rays and beaming it back to the world as beautifully constructed song paintings. On his latest, Random Shades of Day, Orsi continues to emerge as a master of transforming music into mood through four pieces of richly layered drone set against a dreamy landscape.
Random Shades of Day is no small feat. Surrounded by two discs of out of print and unreleased material, it rewards those patient enough to absorb the older works of Orsi. The deep catalog of Orsi releases is barely touched on Random Shades of Day but the older (but just as touching) music proves as the perfect accompaniment to the new. Following Orsi’s subtle progression, Random Shades of Day allows the unfamiliar plenty of chances to understand Orsi’s point of view.
However, Random Shades of Day is dominated by the four new recordings of the same name that adroitly mimic the atmosphere at various stages of a typical day. Each part of "Random Shades of Day" builds upon its predecessor. Part I is a slow grind as the sun peaks over the horizon, as shifts in tone methodically seesaw through bursts of electronic rays. The consonance bleeds into Part II as the sun reaches its apex. The melody turns heavy as the sun parades across the sky, drenching everything in ultraviolet light and heavy humidity. The same droning keys and meditative effects push and pull throughout the first half Random Shades of Day, illuminating Orsi’s true-to-title vision as it metastasizes into art. As the sun begins to set near the end of Part II, the minor keys take over and the rhythm speeds up. The track becomes translucent; the layers are being peeled back as the song blossoms into the expanses of dusk. The effects and electronics swirl together like the oranges, yellows, and reds of the evening sky.
The back half begins coldly as the chill of the moon replaces the warmth of the sun as the album’s warmer tones are devoured by windy chords and ominous tones. Random Shades of Day turns bleak as midnight approaches, calling to the supernatural in its stealthy approach. Part III slows to a crawling pace, capturing the slumbering state. The real becomes ethereal and the day’s images are corrupted into nightmarish imagery. It isn’t until Part IV that the spell is broken and a peaceful rest settles on Orsi.
Random Shades of Day is another strong piece in the voluminous canon of Fabio Orsi. Yet paired with older work, it only grows in power and prestige. Orsi has come a long way and Random Shades of Day puts his meteoric trajectory on full (and magnificent) display.
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