Fredo Viola: ‘The Turn’

Jovially describing himself as ‘Beach Boys meets Sigur Rós’, London-born, New-York-based artist Fredo Viola certainly stands out from the crowd. In fact, ‘The Sad Song’ (which has travelled from his 2008 EP to this, his debut album) was such a YouTube success that Massive Attack reached across the Atlantic to nab Viola for vocals on their next album.

Evoking a jungle-set videogame in sound, ‘The Turn’ is one of those electro-spiritual records – you know, the ones where medieval chants cross with pop culture references? This playfulness is, for the most part, charming and refreshing, and keeps Viola from seeming pretentious. However, while his vocals recall the pitter-patter of raindrops on album closer ‘Umbrellas’ to good effect, references to Nicolas Cage and George Clooney on ‘The Original Man’ just jar.

It hardly matters though, as Viola’s former choirboy days seep through the album, painting frescoes over songs about everything from friendship to those male celebrities’ arms with gorgeous harmonies. It’s an audacious, stunning creation. Though the whole ends up feeling a little one-note, especially since the eponymous opening track is so striking, Viola has at least crafted something unique in his sound that (what with the accompanying DVD of videos) makes him an artist to watch.



Released on 16th March 2009 by Because Music.

Written by Polis Loizou.