Sonologyst is the alias of Raffaele Pezzella, a Neapolitan sound engineer best known for his efforts in circulating experimental music on a transcontinental scale through the Unexplained Sounds Group platform. In addition, Pezzella is also an accomplished manipulator of radiant vibrational substances. Perhaps because of his restraint, in conjunction with my own inattentiveness, Electrons (originally released in 2016, then reissued in 2023 with an additional track) has not received the exposure it deserves, which in my opinion should be greater. What makes this work special is a series of entirely correlated inputs within a core inspiration (namely, the composer’s fondness for quantum physics). Almost exclusively devised on analog equipment, the program features ten tracks of variable length and unique individuality, the hallmark of which is, first and foremost, to not resemble anything else. Essentially, if there are any influences, Sonologyst keeps them well concealed. The structures and textural grains of the pieces definitely lean toward the drone/pulse/minimal area; still, the acoustic matter is biotic, magmatic, chock-full of microorganisms giving shape to a system of complex interrelationships beneath an inherently rewarding aesthetical exterior. I’m not going to add more verbiage to reiterate the brilliance of this album. To put it succinctly, Electrons digs much deeper than the bulk of the pseudo-electronic garbage glorified by the media dealing with “regime avantgarde” on a monthly basis. Just dip into it with a clear spirit, and revel in the idiosyncratic sonic quest of a musician who, at least to this writer, appears all too unassuming in relation to his talent.
Massimo Ricci. Beyond The Dust. 