Based in La Seu d’Urgell, Spanish composer Rafa Palomo impresses across his debut album, Calma — released under the moniker DIONIA RAF. Throughout, Palomo translates solitary personal thoughts into a diverse electronic landscape, influenced by pioneers like Tangerine Dream and Kraftwerk. The project bridges ’80s synth aesthetics with contemporary melodic house, a treat for patient listeners that cherish evolving, nostalgic soundscapes.

Opening the release, the album’s title track captivates with a lushly absorbing soundscape — intertwining arp-forward amiability and a glimmering undercurrent for a steadily paced, introspective listening experience. Trickling, organic tones flicker with caressing dreaminess on the ensuing “B+I,” bolstered by a subdued percussive background. Spacey synth arpeggios infuse seamlessly throughout, as do effervescent doses of twinkling keys. Shimmering, heavenly synth pads inject as well, altogether assembling for a serenely inviting, melodic standout.

Tracks like “Barcelona” — with its clap-laden rhythms and playful synths — and the starry-eyed “Victus” also showcase DIONIA RAF’s knack for blissfully atmospheric statements. Another standout success is “Iniquity,” where island-set rhythms fit for blue oceans combine with harmonious synth elements for a production fit for escapism. Meanwhile, album finale “Drus” shows a darker side, with water-like effects and a nocturnal synth immersion building with lovely intrigue into spacey electronic frequencies. An electronic success that excels in both sophisticated expanses and lushly approachable atmospherics, Calma is an excellent album from DIONIA RAF.

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This and other tracks featured this month can be streamed on the updating Obscure Sound’s ‘Emerging Singles’ Spotify playlist.

We discovered this release via MusoSoup.

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