The Confusional Quartet are Enrico Serotti, Gianni Cuoghi, Lucio Ardito and Marco Bertoni, a four piece experimental band with new wave, avant-garde and post rock influences who have been recording since the late 70s. Having first released their debut album more than three decades ago, they now return with a new, eponymously entitled full length on Hell Yeah recordings, due for release in October 2012 and accompanied by fabolous artwork by Andrea Amaducci. One of the most recognized Italian bands in the so-called new wave era, the energetic group were never afraid of pioneering new sounds and performing energetic shows, and this new album (one of two they are working on, as well as a new live show) suggests they have lost none of their edge having reformed just last year. Across the course of the 11 tracks, the band explores the fusion between synthetic sounds and real drums; fizzing guitar lines and plenty of feedback. It’s funky, raw and looks to many different eras and genres all at the same time. The opener ‘FuturFunk’ (co-written and co-produced with Sir Bob Rifo of The Bloody Beetroots) is just that, dazzling and arresting as it goes. Elsewhere, high energy, dense and gauzy songs like ‘Kursaal’ rage and writhe as drums cut in and out and guitars get worked to the max. Pilling layer upon layer of sound, each track is stuffed with contrasting surfaces before being stripped to just a jazzy drenched bassline or funked up lead. ‘Verme’ marks one of few comparatively sober moments in an otherwise spine tingling, nerve jangling journey through intergalactic sonics and grubby rock ethics. ‘Sensosan’ is also more stripped back, focusing on quick licked rhythms and computerised melodies, whilst the rest of the album is a mad parade of frantic, zany, futuristic instrumental workouts. Three decades after starting out, Confusional Quartet are still the most expressive postmodern experimentalists out there not afraid to push the boundaries.