Nicola Fornasari // SUBSTANCE.IT // xu & francis gri - valley of languages

Xu & Francis Gri - Valley of Languages

Limited edition CD (100 copies)
Special limited edition modeled around the classic disco-single vinyl sleeve. It includes printed front and rear sleeves with a circular cut out to show the disc artwork as well as a marble printed vinyl-effect disc.

released May 18, 2024

Valley of Languages is the brainchild of these two musicians who, despite having never met in person, found themselves sharing and understanding the same musical space; which became the inspiration for the album title and its concept. This album is not just a collection of songs; it's a collaborative exploration of diversity and emotional resonance. It serves as a metaphorical meeting point where diverse musical languages and techniques converge, creating a rich tapestry of sound that transcends geographical boundaries. This album comprises six tracks, each a testament to the harmonious collaboration between two minds separated by distance, but united by a similar way of seeing and perceiving things.

Written and produced by Nicola Fornasari & Francis Gri
Mastered by Francis Gri
Photography by Francis Gri
Art and design by Andrew Heath

The sonic dialogue gradually transforms into an aural sculpture, as if phonemes were reshaped without caring for any meaning, instead looking for harmonies within their textures and combinations. [...]
Sometimes Valley of Languages opens just enough room for silence to sneak in, although it is not an uncanny experience; instead it is an opportunity to gather the unheard and become aware of what sound has become.
Gilberto Cárdenas
on A Closer Listen

Press/Review

Review on A Closer Listen

Xu & Francis Gri - Valley of Languages - cover

Xu & Francis Gri - Valley of Languages - packaging