Crafted

Italian DJ and producer Madato presents his first release since 2012's well-received Portraits EP (ITEM 014EP). With Crafted, his first true long-player, he displays his true dexterity and expertise as a unique storyteller in a world saturated with mediocre attempts at originality. From start to finish the album exudes a clever boldness that many artists seem to leave behind, instead retracing well-worn paths. But not Madato. This is effortlessly apparent throughout Crafted, as Techno, Disco, Rock, and Electronica freely intertwine in unique dancefloor gems. With a masterstroke, Madato paints his silent canvas with an array of organic instruments and machines alike. Last Virgin and 17 Miles exude a penchant for Rock 'n' Roll and dub aesthetics, effortlessly combining crunchy guitar riffs and low-slung bass laid under blasts of spaced-out echoes and super-slick vocals. Losing no focus, Madato leans further into the realm of techno on tracks like Oh Lover and My Fellini; both are finely-tuned, psychedelic burners constructed from live instrumentation. G-Boys manages to incorporate all of the album's concepts into one fluid piece; freaky vocals and guitar licks meet four-to-the-floor grooves and a quivering bassline, creating a tune that is as much Punk Rock as it is house music. Each individual piece stands on it's own merit and authenticity, but when grouped together, they form a genuine, cohesive, and perfectly executed vision come to life.