Stepping outside the boundaries of what you have long considered a core part of your personal musical landscape can be a demanding task, yet it is essential for a balanced critique. The Italian outfit KLIMT 1918, whose very moniker evokes a history of decadent beauty and bittersweet nostalgia, has been a constant presence in my sonic journey for the past 20 years; however, looking at their work through an objective lens is vital to make their art accessible to a wider, uninitiated audience. Breaking a decade-long silence, their fifth full-length album, “Àmor,” released via Prophecy Productions on June 12th, 2026, marks a triumphant return, proving that having them back on track is an absolute privilege.
“Àmor” opens with “Dream Core,” which was unveiled as a lead single in mid-March alongside a striking music video that warrants an immediate watch; it serves as a flawless primer for the band’s current identity, unfolding within a dreamlike atmosphere where the music acts as a direct translation of their inner world. KLIMT 1918 have always communicated through vivid imagery, employing a cinematic approach that transforms each song into an immersive journey. While shoegaze, dream-pop, and post-rock influences remain easily discernible, the band has subtly renewed their own voice here more than ever before, a clear reward for the deep care and devotion poured into their creative process. After all, “Àmor” translates to “love,” and love inherently demands patience, the very same patience that we, as long-time listeners, have spent the last ten years testing to its absolute limits.
The band’s ethereal guitar work builds a solid structure where every brick finds its place, driven by the tight-knit chemistry between Claudio (guitars, Rhodes, and synthesizers), Davide (bass), and Paolo (drums). This rich sonic architecture is fronted and guided by Marco, who shapes the sound with his own guitar work while his vocals tell stories of a never-ending, burning love, one that consumes and nurtures the soul in a much broader sense than the peaceful romance one might expect. It is a deep, driving gravity, pulling towards someone or something that holds you tight, effortlessly capturing both the light and the melancholy that has always defined their unique sound.
This is precisely where the band lays their cards on the table: translating urban spaces and nostalgia into a cohesive sonic language is no easy task, yet they seamlessly blend these different textures into songs that unfold like a full-fledged cinematic screenplay. Take “Aventine,” for instance: paired with a stunning music video that visually mirrors the track’s emotional depth, it provides the album’s most breathtakingly cinematic coordinates. The track takes its name from the Aventine Hill (il colle Aventino), one of the seven historic hills of Rome. Today, the Aventine stands as an elegant, secluded oasis wrapped in a quiet, almost sacred stillness, famed for its ancient churches, historic fortress walls, and the iconic Giardino degli Aranci (The Orange Garden), which offers a stunning, melancholy view of the Tiber River and the sprawling metropolis below. For KLIMT 1918, this physical space is masterfully transformed into a psychological borderland, capturing a late-night ascent to the hill and turning a specific Roman location into a universal sanctuary for internal detachment.
The addition of Domenico Vellucci’s alto saxophone on “Eros” injects a profound depth and elegance into an already sophisticated sonic blueprint, a richness that beautifully balances with “Nexus,” which acts as a brilliant nod to the band’s earlier era. This contrast is a testament to how these seasoned musicians can evolve alongside their own art, gracefully converting their artistic maturity into a compelling, vibrant sonic asset.
As much as I appreciate the English language within this musical genre, I firmly believe that embracing their mother tongue on “Petricore” is a masterstroke that elevates the track to an entirely different dimension. Named after the distinct, earthy scent that rises when rain hits dry soil after a long drought, the song serves as a brilliant metaphor for the band’s return after a decade of silence. By reverting to his native tongue, Marco strips away every layer of stylistic defense. The result is a moment of raw, unfiltered vulnerability where the poetic cadence of the Italian language seamlessly blends into a storm of shimmering, reverb-drenched guitars. It feels both earthbound and ethereal, capturing the exact moment where the cold winter of isolation finally yields to the healing, long-awaited rain of connection.
Ultimately, “Àmor” functions as a masterclass in atmospheric rock, seamlessly balancing the nocturnal geography of “Aventine,” the daylight nostalgia of “Nexus,” and the raw, native vulnerability of “Petricore.” This panoramic sonic identity is masterfully elevated by the album’s stellar production: mixed by Tony Doogan (MOGWAI, BELLE AND SEBASTIAN) and mastered at the legendary Abbey Road Studios by Frank Arkwright, the record boasts an impeccable, world-class sound design where every shimmering guitar wall feels massive yet beautifully organic. Bridging a 10-year silence with urgent, mature refinement, “Àmor” stands as a triumphant return, a deeply moving reminder that KLIMT 1918’s unique capacity for beautiful, comforting melancholy remains completely unbroken.
Written by Licia Mapelli
Tracklist
- Dream Core
- Aventine
- Nihil Vltra
- Eros
- Nexus
- Un ètè invincible
- Arcade
- Àmor
- Petricore
- Aftersun
- Mountain
Lineup
Marco Soellner – guitars, drones, synthesizers, vocals
Claudio Spagnuoli – guitars, rhodes, synthesizers
Davide Pesola – bass
Paolo Soellner – drums
Label
Prophecy Productions
