US-based Jeremy Jones and UK’s Rodrigo Passannanti, collaborating under the moniker Alpha Romeo, present their latest release, Soft Collapse, a 7-track exploration of IDM, dark wave, and experimental electronic music. This album marks a deliberate evolution in their sound, merging lush synth textures with urban, nostalgic vibes, creating an immersive audio experience that resonates with contemporary electronic audiences.
Soft Collapse opens with “Born,” a track that immediately establishes the album’s aesthetic with layered synth pads, subtle rhythmic motifs, and a sense of atmospheric depth. The interplay of analog textures and digital precision provides a foundation for the sonic narrative, signaling a blend of chillwave, synthwave, and downtempo sensibilities that will permeate the record. The rhythm here is measured but insistent, drawing listeners into a contemplative state while maintaining a subtle kinetic energy.
The second track, “Return to You,” stands out as a centerpiece of the album, its melodic lines intertwining with complex, pulsating beats. The track’s unofficial video, inspired by the dystopian film Dredd, highlights the synergy between visual and musical elements, reinforcing the album’s immersive qualities. The composition balances ambient expansiveness with rhythmic clarity, demonstrating Alpha Romeo’s skill in crafting tracks that are both emotionally evocative and technically intricate.
Tracks like “1999” and “The Willow Tree” continue to explore rhythmic sophistication and synth innovation. In “1999,” the percussive patterns are layered with glitch-inspired IDM textures, producing a dynamic tension that keeps the listener engaged. “The Willow Tree” juxtaposes delicate melodic fragments against denser harmonic structures, creating an atmosphere that feels simultaneously nostalgic and forward-looking. Across these tracks, the attention to sonic detail—from the subtle modulation of synth lines to the spatial treatment of electronic textures—underscores the album’s experimental ethos.
“Pixelated Paradise” and “Ghost Town” exemplify Alpha Romeo’s ability to manipulate atmosphere through both synthesis and rhythm. In “Pixelated Paradise,” warm, analog tones combine with fragmented percussive sequences, producing a reflective yet hypnotic soundscape. “Ghost Town” leans into darker tonalities, drawing on dark wave influences to craft an immersive, slightly ominous environment. These tracks emphasize the textural complexity that defines the album, where every rhythmic shift and synth modulation contributes to a cohesive emotional journey.
The album closes with the bonus track, “Lament of a Nepo Baby,” which encapsulates the overarching mood of Soft Collapse. Here, Alpha Romeo fuses downtempo grooves with layered synth harmonics, offering a contemplative, almost cinematic resolution to the album’s narrative arc. The track’s arrangement demonstrates a meticulous approach to sonic layering, highlighting Rodrigo Passannanti’s decades-long expertise in IDM, experimental, and ambient music.
Rodrigo Passannanti’s background as a transformative figure in the electronic music landscape, spanning over three decades under various aliases including Hypercube, lends significant depth to the project. His collaboration with Jeremy Jones enriches Alpha Romeo’s sound, merging diverse influences into a cohesive whole. Their combined expertise in IDM, chillwave, synthwave, and ambient styles results in an album that transcends conventional genre boundaries while remaining accessible and emotionally resonant.
Soft Collapse serves as a sensory-rich invitation to explore evocative, dreamlike landscapes shaped by intricate rhythms, immersive synth textures, and meticulous production. From the precise beat structures to the lush, multilayered synth arrangements, the album demonstrates the duo’s capacity to create a form of sonic “therapy” for the modern listener. It is a high-quality release that exemplifies innovation and sophistication, making it a notable addition to contemporary electronic music.
Overall, Alpha Romeo’s Soft Collapse is an engaging exploration of nostalgia, rhythm, and atmospheric depth. It showcases the duo’s ability to fuse IDM, dark wave, and experimental electronic music into a cohesive, immersive journey that both challenges and rewards attentive listening. This album stands as a testament to Rodrigo Passannanti and Jeremy Jones’ mastery of synth-driven soundscapes and rhythmic innovation, offering an unforgettable auditory experience that occupies a distinguished place within the electronic music canon.