Melissa Galosi – Acorn Review

What does Melissa Galosi sound like?

Beautifully reflective and melodic felt piano original compositions.

The review of ‘Acorn’ by Melissa Galosi

I often enjoy a concept album and Italian composer and pianist Melissa Galosi brings one along with ‘Acorn’. The album interprets Galosi’s thoughts on the Acorn Theory by psychoanalyst James Hillman. The theory is that every person is born with a unique imprint or image of how our lives will play out and we spend our lives growing into that destiny.

It’s an interesting play on destiny, fate and free will and this plays out in the overarching mood of Melissa’s compositions and playing. Melissa isn’t a minimalist composer and she happily incorporates motifs and melodies into her pieces. The album balances a duality throughout using a repetitive left-hand bass octave and a more expressive, unique motif on the right. It is as if the songs and Melissa herself are entangled between living out a predetermined safe path (bass) and searching for a larger meaning and more certainty (melody).

This means tracks like ‘Image’ flow like pirouettes of fate, whilst ‘For Francesco’ feels like it’s searching for comfort and a safe place to land. The rustic, up-close recording and intimate soft production give the album a summery warmth. That helps the more solemn pieces like ‘Spectators’ feel more cosy than they otherwise would. There is also an undercurrent of quiet curiosity with the enquiring notes and pauses in tracks like ‘Warm Vision’ and ‘Children Know It’.

It’s quite difficult to single specific tracks out as easy crowd-pleasers or immediate singles. The lead single ‘Giovanni’s Gaze’ will appeal to most felt piano lovers looking for introspection. ‘Acorn’ has a tentative stutter like a newborn that hasn’t quite learnt to walk properly but is surrounded by nurturing love. The closing track on the 11 piece album has a satisfying twinkle and sway to it as if all things in life sway in motion together. This is one of those albums that’s quietly uplifting and ‘The Landing’ rounds things off perfectly.

‘Acorn’ is a lights down low or quiet afternoon album. It’s designed for reflection, and contemplation but from a place of family and belonging rather than melancholy or concern. Melissa Galosi has created the piano album equivalent of an indulgent hot chocolate and it’s just what I needed to soothe the dull ache of a busy day away. Soothing and balming.

Recommended track: Image

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