Selflore’s “L’immagine che ho di me“ is a perfect sonic storm built upon post-hardcore, shoegaze, screamo, and emo. This six-track 12″ EP is an emotional rollercoaster that grabs you from the first note and doesn’t let go. With its reverb-heavy guitars, piercing screams, and melodic undercurrents, Selflore has created a fine piece of sonic artistry, blending calmness with intensity in a way that will satisfy even those die-hard DIY music fans. It’s an otherwordly experience that lingers long after the final chord fades away.
“Ragnatela,” sets the tone immediately. There’s a dreamlike quality in the reverby guitar riffs that wash over you like waves, pulling you into the album’s atmosphere. The guitars shimmer in a way that feels deeply nostalgic, almost as if they’re echoing from a distant memory. It’s calm, yet you can feel the tension building underneath, ready to explode at any moment. As the track progresses, that explosion comes in the form of raw, emotional screams that pierce through the fog of guitar noise, reminding you that Selflore is as much about aggression as they are about melodic, ethereal beauty. The contrast between the airy, shoegaze-inspired instrumentation and the intense vocal delivery is striking, setting up the push-pull dynamic that will define the rest of the album. “Bordeaux” kicks things up a notch with its frenetic energy and driving rhythms. The drums here are relentless, propelling the track forward with a sense of urgency that matches the raw emotion in the vocals. There’s a heaviness to this track that feels almost overwhelming, but it’s balanced out by the melodic guitar lines that weave in and out of the chaos. The guitars are drenched in reverb and distortion, creating a thick wall of sound that feels oppressive and beautiful. This ability to walk the line between intensity and melody makes Selflore stand out in a genre, often defined by one or the other.
One of the standout tracks, “Lavanda,” starts off with a haunting, almost delicate intro that gradually builds into something much more powerful. The vocals here are more subdued at first, almost buried beneath the surface, giving the track an introspective, vulnerable feel. But as the track progresses, the intensity builds, and those suppressed shouts turn into powerful screams. There’s a real sense of catharsis in the way this track unfolds, as if Selflore is purging all their emotions through their instruments. The guitar work here is particularly impressive, shifting from soft, shimmering chords to massive, distorted riffs with ease. The way the band transitions between these two extremes is seamless, and it keeps you on the edge of your seat, never quite sure where the song is going to take you next. “Terraria” and “Storie di uomini e scoiattoli” lean heavily into the shoegaze side of Selflore’s sound, with its swirling guitars and dreamy atmosphere. There’s a real sense of space in this track as if the music is floating around you, enveloping you in the ambiance. The vocals are more subdued here, almost buried beneath the layers of guitar, but they still manage to convey a deep sense of emotion. These tracks feel like a moment of calm in the storm, a chance to catch your breath before the album’s final onslaught. But even in its calmness, there’s an underlying tension, a sense that things could erupt at any moment. It’s this sense of unpredictability that keeps you hooked throughout the album, never quite sure what’s coming next.
The closing track, “Judoka,” is a perfect encapsulation of everything that makes Selflore great. It’s heavy, melodic, emotional, and unpredictable, all at once. The opening riff is massive, with a deep, chugging rhythm that immediately grabs your attention. The vocals are raw and powerful, dripping with emotion as they scream out over the noise. But just as you think the track is going to stay in this aggressive space, it shifts into something much more melodic and ethereal. The guitars take on a shimmering quality, and the vocals become more subdued, almost fragile. It’s a beautiful moment of contrast, and it shows just how dynamic Selflore can be. The track builds and builds until it reaches a massive, cathartic climax, with everything coming together in a wave of sound that feels both overwhelming and beautiful. It’s the perfect way to end the EP, leaving you feeling emotionally drained but deeply satisfied. What makes “L’immagine che ho di me” so compelling is their ability to balance heaviness with melody, and aggression with beauty. The album is full of contrasts, and it’s in these contrasts that Selflore really shines. The way the band transitions between moments of calm and moments of chaos is nearly mindblowing, and it keeps you on your toes throughout the entire album. The production is also worth noting here, as it perfectly captures the band’s sound. The guitars are thick and heavy, but they still manage to retain a sense of clarity, and the vocals are raw and powerful without feeling too overpowering. The reverb-heavy production gives the album a sense of space, making it feel larger than life, but it never feels overly polished or sterile. There’s a real sense of rawness to the album that makes it feel genuine and authentic, which is something that’s often lost in more polished productions.
Sonically, Selflore’s influences are clear, drawing from the heavy, distorted guitar tones of many renowned modern bands Deafheaven or DIIV, while also incorporating the ethereal, reverb-drenched melodies of shoegaze pioneers like My Bloody Valentine, Ride, and Slowdive. There’s also a strong emotional core to the album that feels reminiscent of classic screamo bands. But despite these influences, Selflore manages to carve out their own unique sound, blending these different elements together in a way that feels fresh and exciting. It’s a sound that feels deeply personal as if the band is pouring their entire selves into the music, and it’s this emotional honesty that makes the album so powerful. “L’immagine che ho di me” is a must-listen for true post-hardcore, shoegaze, screamo, and emo fans. It’s an emotionally powerful and sonically impressive album, blending heavy, aggressive sounds with beautiful, melodic moments in a cathartic and deeply satisfying way. Whether you’re a fan of the genre or just looking for something new and exciting to listen to, “L’immagine che ho di me” is a release that’s well worth your time. Head to Engineer Records for more information about ordering this gem.
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