*Edition of 300 handnumbered copies* Milanese avant-pop label Ad Astra Dischi debuts with a 7" EP offering some experimental pieces bridging tradition and innovation. Exploring the intersections of avant-garde and pop, “ADASTRA001” features three distinct tracks from Italian artists Dduma, Tadde, and Prima Alba, offering a concise yet rich introduction to the label’s vision.
On Side A, Salentine artist Dduma channels the raw intensity of Mediterranean folk into “Fimmine de Guerra”, sung entirely in dialect. Her commanding vocals, rooted in Southern Italian melodic traditions, intertwine with a submerged piano and granular synthesizers. Sampled folk instruments add texture, creating a dialogue between the organic and the electronic, builindg a haunting reflection on heritage reimagined through modern production.
Side B opens with Tadde's “Tenebre”, an exploration of duality through structure. The track begins as a melancholic lullaby built on electric piano and warm synths, then fractures into a meticulously crafted storm of distorted reverb and digital noise. The abrupt shift highlights Tadde’s skill in balancing songwriting with avant-garde sound design, contrasting quiet introspection with controlled chaos. The final track, “Rilascio”, by the Milanese collective Prima Alba —a 10-member group— is a collaborative piece where four vocalists alternate over ethereal electronics. The track’s shifting perspectives, paired with minimalist production, create a mosaic of voices that feels both intimate and expansive, reflecting the collective’s diverse creative identities.
