Oso Leone "Gallery Love" (p)2019 Apollo Records
It’s been awhile since the Oso Leone’s previous effort – the magnificent “Mokragora” - was brought to light so I have never expected the Mallorcan band picking up right where they left off almost 6 years ago. But taking in mind the “Mokragora” undeniable perfection it’s impossible not to compare the new album with the previous one, and it goes like that. Instead of resuming the unhurried walks through the dewy forest undergrowth you are about to enter the sanitized vapourized and kinda sterile environment of the airport hi-class lounge. Its air tastes rich, it sounds vulnerable and trembling all around, and apparently its space is full of beautiful and intellectually gifted creatures but it’s nothing about a couple of cold waterdrops accidentally dripping at your cheek from a lacy spider’s web you shake while moving forward through the trees – unless it’s a drop of champagne on your tuxedo.
The music is inventively constructed and perfectly crafted to include a lot of tiny details and hardly audible undertones. Focusing on the main melodic progressions you may let all these sonic subtleties that set “Gallery Love” aside from your average Buddha Bar comps go out unnoticed. So you still need to listen carefully to fully enjoy the record. Anyway, despite its own advantages, I can’t avoid admitting “Gallery Love” apparently lacks the predecessor’s true original feel.
