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If you are yearning for a song that intertwines the soulful nostalgia of britpop, indie-pop, and guitar-based rock, “Nothing Here To Save” might be your ticket. Drawing inspiration from legends like Blur, and The 1975, Sonderegger crafts ten tracks filled with raw emotion and delicious hooks. Though the Uruguayan-born musician recorded and produced the album himself at home, the songs have a richness and polish belying his humble setup.
Lyrically, Sonderegger wears his heart on his sleeve. He covers themes of regret, faded dreams, and struggling relationships with an honesty that commands attention. In “The Chemistry,” jangly guitars carry his insecure musings about romance and self-doubt over a propulsive rhythm. The darker “Dreams of Youth” finds him reflecting on the naivete of childhood aspirations. However, the folky “It Seems to Me” embraces the passing of time with melodic maturity.
Sonderegger balances his melancholy with plenty of sunny musical touches drawing on 80s pop bands. These include bands like The Human League as well as the vocal stylings of Blur frontman Damon Albarn. Upbeat singles like “The Chemistry” and “Forever in Alaska” overflow with youthful energy and some irresistible hooks. Fans of bands like Supergrass, The Smiths, and early Arctic Monkeys will appreciate his balance of catharsis and playfulness.
Nothing Here To Save: Beauty, Honesty, and Melodic Hooks.
Though the album spans old and new material, Sonderegger’s growth as a songwriter feels natural, conveying the nostalgia of fading dreams while retaining that exuberance of indie-pop. It’s a journey that reflects his path, moving from Uruguay to Finland to the UK as a child. He quips that debut represents “sickly, melancholic, nostalgic indie pop drowning in guitars and Damon Albarn-esque vocals.” But ultimately, his songs brim with personality and promise.
Nothing Here To Save introduces an earnest new talent to the indie scene. With beauty, honesty, and melodic hooks aplenty, Santi Sonderegger and his collection of guitar-pop should earn a place in any fan’s rotation.
