Two

Bruno Bavota and Fabrizio Somma first collaborated on a song for an event put together by the Italian Capital of Culture in 2022. They bonded over music and video games, and continued working together, naming their project Not Me But Us after a sign they saw on the island of Procida, where the event was held. Their styles and ideas quickly gelled to the point that they had a hard time remembering who came up with what, and their debut album took its course. Not easily definable as one style, Two blends stirring emotions and detailed beats, incorporating the sweeping melodies of cinematic post-rock and sparkling ambient techno synths. "No Words" contains spiraling arpeggios and wistful strings, eventually brewing up to an ecstatic blur. "Inner Space" is closer to downtempo acts like Tycho with its clean, gentle rhythm and organic blend of strings and layered ambience. "Interlocking Mechanics" builds up anticipation before switching to a hard, propulsive beat pattern halfway through. "In a Box" is much more subdued, with lo-fi beats submerged under a soft ambient glow. While some of the album fades into the background a bit (not in an unpleasant way), "When We See" is far more alert, with trancey melodies and active IDM beats that seem to trigger a certain emotional switch the second time they appear. While not indicated as such, "Us" feels like a reprise of "When We See," letting its dazzling melody shine brighter on its own. ~ Paul Simpson