by Ben Hogwood

What’s the story?

Silver Y is the name under which Sicilian instrumentalist and vocalist Laura Caviglia operates.

In The Depths is a concept album ending in death, but its message is more one of meditation than of darkness. In the words of the press release, it “revolves around the theme of identity loss (Rest Home, Shadow, Self), explores the various stages of coma (Stupor, Sopor) and culminates in death (In The Depths). The closing track, Nam Myoho Renge Kyo, was conceived as a sort of prayer inspired by the Buddhist mantra of the same name.”

Laura describes it as a way of finding peace beyond suffering, an “alternation of light and darkness that, if truly understood, can be experienced as complete light”.

What’s the music like?

In The Depths was written with three analogue synthesizers, drum machine and MIDI keyboard – so has its roots strongly in electronic music.

Yet with the addition of Caviglia’s vocals it becomes something very powerful and striking, taking a healthy influence from the likes of Cocteau Twins and even more uptempo Massive Attack to complement its subject matter.

As Caviglia says, the light ultimately wins through, but to do this a certain amount of strife has to be experienced. Stupor has impressive presence, but Sopor becomes a twisted, large-scale torch song, an impressive achievement indeed.

In The Depths has a moody beauty before the stately grandeur of the finale, Nam Myoho Renge Kyo, provides a moment to gaze upon the stars.

Does it all work?

It does – Silver Y goes deep but comes up with the answers too.

Is it recommended?

Yes – a less beat-driven affair than some previous releases on Bytes, but a compelling one that ends ultimately in a peaceful triumph.

For fans of… Cocteau Twins, Massive Attack, Lush, Spiritualized

Listen / Buy

Published post no.2,526 – Wednesday 7 May 2025