B-Side Guys

Giulia Millanta is set to release her ninth album, “Only Luna Knows,” on April 19, 2024, and it’s shaping up to be a pivotal moment in her already impressive career. This album, unique in its blend of Italian and English lyrics, showcases Millanta’s deft songwriting skills and her profound ability to convey complex emotions through music. Alongside the album, she is also launching her Italian cookbook, “Dinner with Giulia,” making this release a dual feast for the ears and the palate.

Based in Austin, Texas, but with roots deeply planted in Florence, Italy, Millanta’s work on “Only Luna Knows” reflects her international influences and her love for blending cultural boundaries. Her music, much like her culinary skills, draws from a diverse palette that includes everything from opera to traditional folk tunes from around the globe, infused with her signature style that intertwines dark, sensual undertones with an air of mystery.

The album kicks off with “Fatale,” a track that immediately draws listeners into Millanta’s lush, intricate soundscapes. The song combines a catchy rhythm with introspective lyrics, setting the tone for an album that explores themes of love, identity, and existential reflection. Following this strong start, “Luna, la Follia” delves deeper into the psyche, with Millanta using the moon as a metaphor for the madness and beauty of the human mind.

“Sin Eater” and “Chiar di Luna” showcase Millanta’s ability to cross linguistic and musical boundaries. In “Sin Eater,” she tackles the concept of absolution with a haunting melody that lingers long after the song ends. “Chiar di Luna,” which features a translation of a song by Chavela Vargas, blends Italian lyricism with Latin rhythms, highlighting Millanta’s versatile vocal ability and her knack for storytelling.

As the album progresses, tracks like “Stormy Night in Paradise” and “Only Luna Knows” weave a complex narrative that reflects on personal and universal challenges. These songs are introspective, yet relatable; they’re crafted to resonate with anyone who has ever pondered their place in the world.

Millanta’s background as a chef and a musician comes to the forefront in her live performances, where she often combines food and music to create an immersive experience. This holistic approach to art is evident in tracks like “I Dance My Way” and “Luna lo Sa,” where the rhythms and melodies concoct a vibrant, auditory banquet that complements the flavors of her culinary creations.

“Love Is a Sadness Machine” and “Mi Chiamava Lulu’” conclude the album on a reflective note. These tracks encapsulate the emotional depth of the album, exploring the highs and lows of human experience with sensitivity and a touch of melancholy. Millanta’s lyrics are poetic, laden with emotional weight that is balanced by the lightness of her compositions.

Critics have already hailed “Only Luna Knows” as a masterpiece of indie folk music, noting Millanta’s unique ability to blend cultural influences into a sound that is entirely her own. Her songs are praised not only for their lyrical depth but also for their complex arrangements that feature a wide array of instruments, from traditional guitars to less common sounds in pop music like the ukulele.

The upcoming album release concert at The Saxon Pub is highly anticipated, promising to be an evening where music and gastronomy intersect in a celebration of Italian culture and indie music. Millanta’s performance is expected to be a highlight of the music calendar in Austin, offering an intimate glimpse into the creative process behind “Only Luna Knows.”

In sum, Giulia Millanta’s “Only Luna Knows” is an album that promises to take listeners on a journey through the landscapes of emotion and experience. It is a testament to her growth as an artist and a bold exploration of what it means to create art in a world that often seems boundless in its complexity. With each song, Millanta crafts a narrative that is both deeply personal and universally applicable, proving once again why she is one of the most intriguing and compelling musicians in the indie music scene today.