Nuovo Testamento is a trio hailing from Los Angeles and Bologna. Featuring members of Horror Vacui, Sheer Mag, Tørsö, Terremoto and Crimson Scarlet. Chelsey Crowley was brought in for vocals. The two synth masters Andrea Mantione and Giacomo Zatti originally wrote their songs for a male vocalist. However, they found that a female voice provided an additional, more synthpop retro touch, although at the outset they were thinking towards coldwave. While recording these songs for the debut EP Exposure in 2019, the group members began leaning more towards their shared love of Italo-disco and initiated what would eventually become this New Earth LP. The eight new songs balance between dancing synths and a welcome dose of melancholy.
The EP kicks off with the amazing Michelle Michelle. Immediately it becomes clear how much Chelsey's feminine touch adds tremendous value. The song sounds endearingly poppy, albeit with a certain grandeur and yet a raw edge.
Fans of eighties sounds in minimal and oldschool synthpop will certainly find their guilty pleasure with Nuovo Testamento. Take Electric Disco: very danceable, delicate vocals, blissful drums and synth sounds where every self-proclaimed synth lover will not be able to suppress some excitement. A trip through the eighties. The great eighties. The musically high eighties: in 2021 they are back in a big way. And no, it's not so much nostalgia, because apart from a handful of bands, I personally think the eighties should stay where they are. And yet, when hearing this trio, a hint of yearning creeps up on me. Not because of the music as such, but because of my carefree childhood years that were filled with this kind of synthwave.
Golden Boy employs some immense and almost unremarkable guitar work, giving it a nice coldwave touch to soft post-punk atmosphere.
The Nuovo Testamento Italo/synthpop tsunami engulfs everything with all-consuming and relentless force. Prayers to be spared from this calamity are in vain. Prayers may be on their debut, but they are not heard.
The title track New Earth has rather coldwave vibes, but it still sounds eighties because of the instrumental synth work.
This is a strong debut. A danceable debut. A debut that will definitely please fans in the eighties-synthpop and Italo-disco genre. And you know... reviewing it has also been an immense pleasure!