7/10

There’s a quiet confidence underpinning Marco Piccioni's latest album 'Free'. It's a record that doesn’t rush to announce itself, but instead unfolds with a sense of purpose shaped by experience, discipline, and instinct.

Working alongside his trio, Marco & The Freedivers, Piccioni leans into a sound that feels rooted yet exploratory. The foundation is unmistakably steeped in the language of classic blues and rock, but it rarely settles there for long. Guitar lines stretch and bend with expressive intent, moving between tightly structured passages and more open, improvisational moments that give the album its sense of movement. There’s a clear dialogue between control and release, mirroring the thematic core that runs throughout the project.

And that thematic thread, drawn from the artist's parallel life beyond music, adds a distinct dimension. The album feels shaped by an understanding of pressure, stillness, and breath. Certain passages sit in suspended states, allowing space to become part of the composition, while others surge forward with a renewed sense of momentum. It’s this balance that gives 'Free' its emotional depth, capturing both restraint and intensity without leaning too heavily in either direction.

Sonically, the trio operates with precision, as the rhythm section provides a flexible framework, shifting between grounded grooves and more fluid, responsive interplay. Rather than simply supporting the guitar, they actively shape the direction of each piece, allowing the arrangements to evolve organically.

Across this twelve-track collection, there’s a clear sense of artistic clarity. It doesn’t attempt to reinvent the traditions it draws from, but instead refines and recontextualises them through a personal lens.

It’s a work that feels deliberate without being rigid, offering up an exploration of sound, space, and emotional endurance that continues to reveal itself with each listen.