Polmo Polpo is the main project of Toronto-based musician Sandro Perri. Like Hearts Swelling is his first full-length album, after a series of self-released twelve inches on his own Audi Sensa label (compiled and re-issued on CD last year by Alien8 Recordings). Sandro has a unique ear for mixing drones and electronica with organic instruments, such as an accordion, slide guitar and strings. This combination of sound sources weaves its way through Sandro's melodic, atmospheric compositions.
Building on foundations of multi-layered full-spectrum drones & loops, the music of Polmo Polpo is distinguished by slide guitar motifs that are more naive pop pastoral than spaghetti western. Opening track "Romeo Heart" builds inexorably from silence to jet-engine pink noise squall, coaxed along by descending bass & guitar lines - an excellent introduction to a record that gains in emotional resonance & structural complexity with every song. "Requiem For A Fox" introduces the techno-inflected, underwater heartbeat pulse that marks much of Sandro's earlier work, with whirring ring tones, detuned filters & a sardonic melody gradually giving way to the jauntier acoustic guitar groove & exuberant slide solo at song's end. "Farewell" is a darker interlude rounding out Side One, based on bowed bass, cello & timpani-sized drum samples.

"Sky Histoire" has the most overt rhythmic foundation of any Polmo Polpo track to date, anchored by brilliant interweaving bass & string lines while leaving plenty of room for guitars & keyboards to soar. The juxtaposition of melodic figures as the song hits maximum density is glorious, fittingly giving way to a reprise complete with celebratory bells & chimes. The title track & album finale features Gen from Hangedup, looping & weaving her string work into a verdant organic landscape of squeaks, skronks & moans while accordion sways over top: a gorgeous display of sonic fauvism to close the record.

Polmo Polpo has crafted a subtle, enveloping, kaleidoscopic instrumental pop record, brimming & bursting like hearts swelling. Thanks for listening.

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