- At the tail end of 2007, the release of Why Can't We Be Like Us announced Bruno Pronsato as one of the most compelling artists in experimental house music. Ten months later, as the subtle intricacy of that album continues to emerge, Pronsato has followed it up with a record that takes a slightly less cerebral approach. Nobody Calls has much of the abstract imagery we're used to from Pronsato, but this time around our man gooses in a bit more of a house kick, without losing a drop of his weird charisma in the process.
The title track is the winner—by a hair. From the ornate scrapes and sweeps to the essential bass kicks and hand claps, each element is distinctly hued and immaculately produced. Small changes in the rhythm cause the vibe to shift subtly over the course of the song, waffling between a nervous twitch and a sultry groove. Caro enhances this contrast, as he croons neurotic lyrics with an easy demeanor. When I listen to the song, I can't help but be reminded of "10:15 on a Saturday Night," a somber but funky old track by The Cure, also about a haplessly awaited phone call. (Then again, we're talking about a guy who named a track "At Home I'm a Tourist," so perhaps parallels to '80s post-punk are more tempting than they should be.)
"Where'd You Learn to Kiss That Way" is unusually straightforward for Pronsato, but boasts the same exceptional aural texture as the A-side. The single word "girls" forms a semi-hook, while jazzy snares stutter and a misplaced kazoo signals a party scene that never quite comes into focus. As obscure as the imagery may be, the track rides a steady beat and progresses in a perfectly linear fashion. This is a less extravagant format than we're used to from Pronsato, and it's nice to see how well his aesthetic fits into a more conservative mold. Much like the flip, it's an elegant track as well as a tantalizing glimpse of what he still has up his sleeve.
TracklistA Nobody Calls
B Where'd You Learn to Kiss That Way