As a musical ensemble, Electrio has a propensity for the dramatic. Today, they debut their brand new single “Fac Me Cruce.” The hard-hitting new song is from their debut album Stabat Mater, which will be released in September via the record label Fresh Ribes. The song lays the foundation for this compelling new collection of songs, inspired by the work of Marco Rosano.
Rosano is a widely regarded modern Italian composer based in Belgium. He is something of a musical savant, a masterful composer, player, arranger, and producer. Electrio look in many different directions for their inspiration. They explore cross-disciplinary music, combining baroque, electronic, and contemporary sounds. The ensemble features guitarist Francesco Rista, electroacoustic composer Simone Giordano, and soprano Sandra Lind Þorsteinsdóttir.
Commenting on the song, Electrio states, “In the Stabat Mater, the words ‘Fac me cruce’ express a deep desire to be united with the suffering of the Virgin Mary at the foot of the cross during the crucifixion of Jesus. It’s a prayer to share in her sorrow, to feel her pain, and to be spiritually present in that moment of intense suffering. This track begins with the haunting sound of nails being driven into the cross. It sets the scene in a powerful way, helping the listener imagine and feel the weight of that solemn moment.”
The album is a recreation of a Stabat Mater, a religious sequence from the Middle Ages. Traditionally, its author is identified as Franciscan friar Jacopone da Todi. It also reinterprets pieces by composers Dowland and Monteverdi, who both lived in the 16th century. It’s an interesting piece of work in that it is (obviously) not confined to any time period or style of music. When musicians say they experiment with different styles, they aren’t speaking to this extent. There is no sound or time period that Electrio aren’t willing to consider for inspiration. This makes their songwriting extremely freewheeling and adaptable. They are unafraid of taking risks, which makes their music malleable and an ocean of possibility.