Have a sweet spot for folk electronica music? Happy Song is a Happy Song by Nick Rivera is a compilation you should check out.
The man behind this musical project is Michele Sarti, an Italian singer/songwriter who has a gift for transforming various instruments and sounds into a whole menagerie of quiet beauty. His sound captures elusive and fleeting moments so perfectly that it’s hard not to fall for it.
After years spent playing drums for a number of rock bands, Michele eventually sought more experimental and free form sounds. This led to rediscovering instruments like the French horn and exploring a more meditative, free-folk form of sound.
From a mix of acoustic sounds, the French Horn and spacey, synth sounds here and there; opening single Renee Luise starts the mini EP in the best possible way. It immediately immerses the listener in the weird but surprisingly relaxing sound of  Nick Rivera. Despite the mish-mash of instruments, you still get a melodic and hypnotic set that’s heightened by the artists’ moody vocal work.
It’s followed by title track, Happy Song is a Happy Song, which features the more folkish acoustic side of the singer. Again, the musician’s capacity to create a concrete image and capture the essence of the tracks makes his sound even more worthy of a listen. Meanwhile, Butter in My Head is a bit more melodramatic with a touch of quirkiness. The vocals lends itself well to the song, adding another layer of interest to the already lush landscape of instruments.
The album is finished off with Horn Y Orgy, an instrumental piece that highlights the artists’ love for the French Horn. It’s a lovely track that caps the record in a fresh way.
With just four cuts, the EP is quite short. And chances are after you listen to it, you’ll want to listen to more from Nick Rivera. Expect the sound to be quite different. There’s a lot going on in each song but there’s also a coherence and unity to the sound. Overall, this is a great EP to have especially for those looking for a new acoustic, free folk artist to love.
Related Links:
Nick Rivera on La Bel Netlabel
Nick Rivera on Myspace
Nick Rivera on Internet Archive
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