Daniele Luppi - MILANO

Italian producer recruits NY neo-punks for proto-punk homage to his hometown

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We last heard from Luppi in 2011, when he collaborated with Danger Mouse on a soundtrack to an imaginary movie called Rome. For that album, they played folk, blues, and jazz with a helping of Ennio Morricone, and recruited Jack White and Nora Jones for a few verses; not really the sounds or artists you'd associate with the Italian capital. This time around, for a tribute to his native Milan's 1980s heyday, he recruits Americans Parquet Courts and Karen O for a short, snappy album of New York art-punk. Apparently, the Milan he wants to evoke resembles 1970s Gotham. With ten amazing tracks recalling Lou Reed, Television and early Blondie, we hardly care: just put this on repeat and enjoy!

Highlights: "Talisa", "Soul and Cigarette", "Mount Napoleon"