A few weeks after the brilliant single Capelli Argento, musician and singer-songwriter Michele Boscacci, in art Merli Armisa , is back with a new double release consisting of the tracks KOTO and Al cader della giornata, released on April 25th via Dischi Sotterranei, the latest steps on the path toward his highly anticipated second album.
Two songs in which the artist’s poetics, already evident in his 2021 debut Lleb, are profoundly reconfirmed: lyrics steeped in mystery and intimacy, an outsider attitude, and the distinctive sound suspended between shoegaze, dream pop and lo-fi. But it is clear from the first listen that something has changed; in fact, this new work turns its gaze toward East Asia rather than the American tradition, fascinated by the sonic exploration of such formations as Parannoul, Asian Glow, and Mid-Air Thief. Written following a serious injury, the single KOTO, unlike Capelli Argento, which was inspired by the anime Sonny Boy, is rooted in Yasunari Kawabata’s Nobel Prize-winning novel as well as the traditional Japanese instrument of the same name. Musically, it unfolds between pitch-shifted harmonies, the relentless drumming by Giacomo Ferrari (Generic Animal, Asino), and dreamy, almost hypnotic singing. The ethereal tones of the instrumental are echoed in the lyrics, which express phrases of pure catharsis detached from any sense of space and time. «I had read Koto because it had been given to me as a gift, and its tenderness and simplicity were what I wanted to inspire me to create something equally intense and calm during a time when I felt drained and uncreative. I also thought it could be a nice idea to play the melody on a Koto. We went around it so much that in the end, Koto refused to shape itself according to my will and transformed on its own, revealing itself as both a memory and a hope».
Similar sonic shores are explored in the second track, Al cader della giornata, a crepuscular ballad enhanced by the delicate strumming of an acoustic guitar. Here the themes addressed turn toward emotive romantic overtones, enveloping the listener as if in the torpor of a warm embrace. The voice gently whispers words of love, as in the poignant refrain that states: «How many stars, how many stars. You tell me which one is mine. I do not yearn for the most beautiful, as long as it is near you».
All that remains is to wait for the full album to be released, dazzled and enchanted by the uniqueness of Merli Armisa, a true rarity in the independent scene. This double single confirms his dedication to exploration – musical, cultural, and emotional – intertwining new sounds and perspectives. An artist who doesn’t just write songs but forges real soundscapes, scenarios that speak directly to the imagination.
Merli Armisa, stage name of Michele Boscacci, is a musician and singer-songwriter born in Sondrio, Italy, in 1996. His passion for music developed in a family environment where the guitar has always played a central role thanks to his father, a member of the historic band Asma, who from an early age encouraged his curiosity and desire to play, just as he did for his brother Carlo Boscacci, who later became the frontman of Ricche le Mura and the author behind the solo project Bosco da Soma. Self-taught by nature, Michele has forged a unique style marked by spontaneity and a genuine sound, which continues to define his artistic production today. During his teenage years, he gained live performance experience playing in cover bands with friends, and it was during this time that he developed an inclination to write original songs, first in English and later in Italian, with the aim of creating something personal and distinct from the mainstream. Between lo-fi and distorted sounds, his influences range from Ben Howard to King Krule, Alex G, Mount Kimbie, and Mac DeMarco, translating into a dreamy and gritty alt pop.
His university years in Milan, where he studied Energy Engineering, alternated with weekends in Sondrio, strictly dedicated to recording his demos. Determination was the key. This path eventually led to the release of his first album Lleb in 2021, which stood out for its sincerity and authenticity, immediately drawing the attention of industry insiders, including Rockit, which featured it among the best albums of the year. The success of this work opened the door for his first summer tour in 2022, supported by Panico Concerti and Dischi Sotterranei, culminating in his debut at MIAMI Festival.
However, as in the most exciting stories, his journey hit a setback when a severe motorcycle accident forced him to stop, temporarily halting the momentum his project had been gaining. After a long period of recovery, 2025 marks his official return to the scene with a second album, set for release in springtime via Dischi Sotterranei. The first excerpt from the record is the single Capelli Argento, out on March 26th, followed by the double release KOTO & Al cader della giornata, the final tracks to be published on April 25th.