The new album by Maria Chiara Argirò is a perfect soundtrack for the autumn (that’s fall US friends). A beguiling, sometimes melancholic combination of jazz, electronics, classical and folk forms.

A composer/pianist/keyboardist creating and living in London but born in Rome, Maria already has an enviable musical CV as a performer with acts as diverse as Teotima Ensemble, Kinkajous, These New Puritans and Coco Mbassi. These experiences and her wide musical education have stimulated a curiosity into sounds that aren’t easily defined by genre. Her first album ‘The Fall Dance’ with her quintet saw Maria stretching away from jazz traditions into something that has become her own.

The songs on ‘Hidden Seas’ are fine examples of deep exploration and patient craft. Nothing appears superfluous, restraint and release throughout. As the title suggests, there is a aquatic theme throughout with each song title pointing towards another feeling and form of water, from oceans to icebergs. The music follows suit with gentle serpentine movements to moments of crashing turbulence. Leïla Martial’s vocals on the album veer from bucolic softness reminiscent of Vashti Bunyan to a tougher jazzier edge on tracks like ‘Watery Universe’ where the band really shows its avant-garde chops.

‘Hidden Seas’ is a lovely album and Maria Chiara Argirò is surely a talent to keep an eye on whether you’re a fan of jazz. alt-folk or even acts such as The Cinematic Orchestra. This is a record to wrap up warm to, enjoy the changing colours of nature and walk in the autumnal sun.

Released on September 27th 2019

BUY HERE - https://mariachiaramusic.bandcamp.com/album/hidden-seas