Bingkai Karya– Fabiana Palladino’s “Drunk” follows “one of the best debut albums of 2024” (Guardian). The self-produced “Drunk” was recorded in August at London’s Abbey Road Studios with Ellis Dupuy (drums), Joe Newman (guitar), and her father and Pino Palladino’s bass. New Palladino song is more honest than first album. Five-time GRAMMY winner Russell Elevado’s analog mixing energizes live performances.
Palladino’s new Paul Institute / XL Recordings CD “Drunk” showcases her evolving sound, combining expressive music with great production and vocals. It proves she’s a brilliant pop star this year. Fabiana Palladino says “Drunk” was about current dating chaos: apps, the blurred line between casual and serious, circumstances, love bombs, and ghosting. New words or actions? Perhaps, but I’m not alone in feeling down. Drunk and unstable, I find inspiration and purpose in drama and uncertainty. Peace is dull.”
Fabiana Palladino released her self-titled debut album in April. Lorde stated, “I implore you to listen to this album, in my opinion, the best album of the year.” The Guardian and Stereogum gave it 5 stars. Production took 5 years. Incredible album debut”. Palladino wrote and produced the album, which features Paul Institute co-founder Jai Paul, her father and famed session bassist Pino Palladino, her brother Yussef Dayes bassist Rocco, drummer Steve Ferrone, and Rob Moose’s strings.
Fabiana Palladino headlined and performed at festivals worldwide after the record release, including two sold-out London gigs, BST Hyde Park support for SZA, Green Man Festival, and RALLY. Fabiana revealed today that she would headline her first New York, Los Angeles, and Tokyo events in addition to her festival performances.
Ambitious artist Fabiana Palladino waited too long. A 2017 Paul Institute founding artist, London musician with vintage R&B-influenced pop music. Palladino played session work with SBTRKT and Jessie Ware between tours despite only three singles in four years. Pitchfork termed “Mystery” “an early song from a big-budget ’80s studio that’s been smuggled out on reel-to-reel tape”. He funded and played with Jai’s band for his long-awaited live debut. “I’m taking it little by little because it’s weird and overwhelming,” she explains.
Fabiana Debut Album
Her debut album, Fabiana Palladino, was recorded privately. Paladino took a long time to create and produce due to her playing schedule and perfectionism. “I’m very afraid to reveal something and regret it,” she says. Slow tempo accentuates the album’s loneliness and explores life without family and connections. This sensitive after-dark record challenges relationship norms with Kate Bush and Joni Mitchell’s classic songwriting and Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell’s Motown passionate duets.
Palladino is drawn to large studio recordings. She explains, “I wanted to push myself in terms of production.” “I wanted a sound with high production values because I grew up listening to studio music played by great musicians and recorded by brilliant engineers, and I appreciate that.” Palladino appreciates Jai for his producer faith, which led to this unique song. First, he provided her with demos. “He said, ‘You already produced it—it’s right there. Famous character Pino Palladino taught Palladino to honestly apply others’ beliefs to his own. I like establishing solid, consistent visions for others. Artists experience something unique.”
It felt easy for Palladino to create. This self-titled album’s beautiful music and simple lyrics simplify desire and satisfaction like vintage pop. “I’m getting closer / Still on my mind / What we’re all about / ‘Cause I don’t even know if I want you,” she sings on “Closer,” which gasps and shimmers like two dancing lovers on a gray “When I sleep I’m tired but I can’t dream anymore,” she says over a bass that echoes uncertainty and tiredness in “I Can’t Dream Anymore.” “I had an important relationship end and a couple years of what am I doing?” says. Others married and had babies, but not me. Accepting its absence painfully. Can I empower myself with that? So glad life is good today.”
Fabiana Palladino emphasizes compromise. Palladino feels songwriting is traditional but not production. Expectations are challenged.” It took awhile for Palladino’s music career to take off.
