Dave Cotr shares ‘Unreal Project’ record

Coming out of the Italian underground with a fiercely unique sonic identity, guitarist and composer Dave Cotr has been making an impact as an artist with a knack for embracing the unconventional. Having developed his sonic vision over years of study and collaboration, his music fuses the experimental with the psychedelic, resulting in immersive soundscapes that challenge both genres and listener expectations.

His musical journey began with the band Arid Garden back in 2014, where he contributed both as a guitarist and songwriter, helping shape their two EPs with his growing appetite for sonic experimentation. His creative endeavour led him to the Conservatorio Stanislao Giacomantonio in Cosenza, further forging his technique in private sessions with M. Bruno Marrazzo in 2016 and later at Florence’s Conservatorio Cherubini, where he graduated in Jazz Guitar in 2021, his background spans classical training and avant-garde exploration.

Unveiling his solo sonic vision in 2023, he released his debut single “Apnea,” which was quickly followed by his sophomore outing “Insane Steam Car,” both featured on his debut album, Saturo which landed later that year. Comprising eight tracks mixed and mastered by Jonas Garcia Afonso of SuperstereO, the album captured his unique blend of jazz-inflected playing and psychedelic electronics.

Throughout last year, he continued to build his immersive musical world with multiple single releases and now he brings us his latest release with Unreal Project, a ten-track EP that tackles environmental, political and social issues in uncompromising fashion. Mastered by Marco Nava, the project showcases his broad stylistic range, touching on downtempo, folktronica, jazz, hip hop and experimental electronic stylings to craft something entirely new.

Opened by “Unreal Disaster,” the ominous textures of deep bass tones is met with the shimmering patter of bright synth tones and pulse of kick as the track develops into an atmospheric slice of enveloping trip hop-tinged electronica. Blending the crisp snap of percussion with the organic timbre of jazz-focused guitar leads, the track delivers a truly absorbing listening experience peppered with blissful melodic flickers and wrapped in a spacey sonic fabric.

“Unreal Ocean” offers a beat-driven sound of grooving rhythms and intricate guitar based arrangement that intricately balances breezy guitar dashes with sweeping synth elements. Building with the hurried shuffle of hi hats and engrossing electronic tones, the smooth ebb and flow of the composition presents a wholly engaging sound from start to finish.

With “Unreal Nature” Dave Cotr blends bouncy instrumental plucks with a gradual swell of rumbling bass before the slick jump of grooving tribal style drums propels the track forward. With moments of shifting percussion and punchy half-time rhythms, it’s an exceptional display of his wild creativity and ability to create engrossing musical spheres for listeners to get completely lost in.

Other highlights on the EP include tracks like “Unreal Discovery” which sees Dave link up with drummer Vincenzo Messina to deliver one of the project’s most daring cuts. Mixing electronica, hip hop and jazz, all structured around an uncommon three-beat rhythm, the piece captures the restless spirit that defines his output; genre fusion as both statement and experiment.

Expanding the musical world of the record, he’s also released two music videos for singles on the EP, with “Unreal War” and “Unreal Cop.”

On “Unreal Monkey,” the playful staccato pips of instrumental tones descends into a driving soundscape of gliding bass lines and airy choral vocalisations, resulting in an energising and highly unique jam unlike anything else. Closing the release with “Unreal Democracy,” the crash of striking drums and stabbed instrumentation delivers a gripping sound of avant-garde electronic packed full of twists and turns to offer a stunning final moment on Dave Cotr’s superb new release.

Listen to Unreal Project below