Mediterranean Chill-Out Bliss: Argento's 'Miraggi' Is a Summer Fantasy
Argento, a project by David August and percussionist Lorenzo Setti, releases 'Miraggi,' an album inspired by the Tuscan coast. The music blends new age, downtempo, and jazz fusion into a lush Mediterranean chill-out sound. August, known for experimental work, here creates an idealized, kitschy but precise sonic landscape.
August, a German-Italian producer known for experimental neoclassical and dance works, founded Argento with percussionist Setti. Drawing on his childhood in an Italian mountain town, he assembled the record between Berlin and the Tyrrhenian coast.
The duo immersed themselves in 1970s and 1980s Italian library music. Tracks like "Sabbia Su Sabbia" and "Mare Arcaico" feature chimes, marimbas, and Rhodes piano, released via Music From Memory.
This release could offer a soothing escape for listeners overwhelmed by modern life, providing a soundtrack for mental relaxation. It may also influence the electronic music scene by validating nostalgic, regionally specific aesthetics as a serious artistic endeavor, potentially inspiring other producers to mine vintage Italian library music. Fans of ambient and Balearic genres might adopt this as a new reference point, while August's crossover from experimental circles could broaden the audience for sophisticated, percussion-driven electronic compositions.