Esbe – La Serenissima (New Cat Music, 2024)
Producer, and vocalist Esbe has unveiled another superb album titled La Serenissima. This fascinating recording immerses listeners in the tranquil grandeur, enigma, and enchantment of Venice’s streets, canals, bridges, and palaces, from dawn till dusk. The title refers to Venice, known as ‘La Serenissima’ in the 17th century.
With La Serenissima, Esbe returns to orchestral and mesmerizing soundscapes, presenting a diverse, engaging, and deeply satisfying mix of exquisitely delivered songs and instrumental compositions, capturing the essence of Venice’s cultural richness.
The album opens with a reinterpretation of Giulio Caccini’s timeless love ballad, ‘Amarilli, Mia Bella,” setting the tone for this set. Other cuts include the Latin-infused “Te Amo” and the cinematic orchestration of “Palazzo.”
Throughout the album, Esbe skillfully employs vocal echo and instrumentation to evoke the atmosphere of Venice, from the starlit serenade of “Little Echo” to the medieval essence of “Victory.” Moreover, throughout the album, Esbe’s lyrics relate to themes of climate change and historical narratives.
Beyond traditional instrumentation, Esbe incorporates eclectic elements such as sampled electronica along with natural world sounds.
Buy La Serenissima.