8 Tracks: Of Saudade Cyberpunk Feelings With Rico Casazza
London based Rico Casazza has been producing diverse electronic music for over 10 years. With releases on labels such as Soma, Archipel and Plastic City, his sound has covered ambient, electro, techno and IDM, all sharing a moody and melancholic quality. He has also released music under a trip-hop alias Raw Axe and has performed live and DJ'd at Fabric, AKA, Village Underground and further afield. His selection is based around the Portuguese word "saudade", a deep emotional state of nostalgic or profound melancholic longing.
"I've got to say that I love sad and melancholic melodies and atmospheres, but I’m not a sad person. I love the cold and distant places that only you can reach with your imagination. For me these types of music don't represent sadness, but instead represent joy and liberation from everyday worries and anxieties."
Rico Casazza – Yaman is released by Archipel Canada on 30th November 2016 and can be found HERE.
The first thing that comes to my mind when I say cyberpunk is Blade Runner. This is not only the best piece of music ever written, but also represents the imaginary world of a dystopian city surrounded by dark clouds, rain, fog and an uncertain future. This is probably one of the deepest tunes I’ve ever heard in my life.
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Blade Runner Blues - Vangelis - 1982 - [Hd]The first thing that comes to my mind when I say cyberpunk is Blade Runner. This is not only the best piece of music ever written, but also represents the imaginary world of a dystopian city surrounded by dark clouds, rain, fog and an uncertain future. This is probably one of the deepest tunes I’ve ever heard in my life.
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Eraldo Bernocchi / Blackfilm - Mistakes Pt.2This is a hell of a track – powerful and up-lifting. This track was how I first discovered Eraldo Bernocchi, who is now one of my favourite producers.
The melancholic and nostalgic themes are quite strong, contrasted by power and energy, just so as to not leave the listener feeling too mellow. Check out the website of Eraldo’s label, ‘Rare Noise Records’ – amazing label!
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Troum - Subdurale EingebungThis track from Troum is featured on one of the bestselleing ambient compilations from 2016 – “Where words fail, music speaks – a compilation for Ania Mehring” – released by the intriguing Santa Sangre Magazine from Poland. 65 tracks of deep ambient and neo-folk music! This track is undeniably my favourite from the mega release, due to its remarkable introverted atmosphere. It’s very majestic and sad.
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A Number Of Names - SharevariI have few words to describe this track – it’s simply an anthem.
Detroit almost better depicts the cyperpunk view of Los Angeles in Blade Runner and this is one of the first Detroit techno tracks ever written. -
Shinichi Atobe - The Red LineI discovered Shinichi Atobe not long ago and I love all his works, but this track is particularly touching. I love sad melodies, so here sits one of the most saudade aspects of my 8 tracks.
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Ghost In The Shell Soundtrack Nightstalker‘Ghost In The Shell’ is another great cyberpunk movie which I watched back in 96 – I loved every aspect of it. This is my favourite part of the soundtrack, with its haunting guitar and lovely mysterious keyboard parts.
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Monolake- InvisibleThis track makes me feel like I’m inside a space ship due to its industrial feel. Monolake have always epitomised musical futurism for me.
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Hi-Lo - Are You Sure About That?The more ‘housey’ groove in this track sets it apart from the rest, accompanied by its fast tempo. It’s a super sweet late night tune that epitomises the more positive elements of this theme that I explained in the introduction.
