eLxAr is a fascinating electronic/synthwave act from Italy I recently learned of when they reached out to me about their latest single “Nessuno Vede“. They consist of Luca, a pianist, composer, producer and game designer, and Alex (short for Alexandra), a singer-songwriter, digital designer, illustrator and multi-faceted artist. Not only are both of them multi-talented, they’re also passionate about social justice and environmental issues.

With a focus on retro-flavored electronic music (synthwave/retrowave/synthpop) of the 1980s and 90s, their aim is to create art with a social impact and inspire positive change by addressing social issues through specific stories and emotional exploration. As they stated in a recent Facebook post: “If modern mainstream music is mostly used as a mass distraction, we try to use it to refocus people on what is the reality of this poor world, while maintaining a certain balance between positives and negatives, like in a sort of Yin and Yang.”

Initially formed in 2021 as a mostly instrumental act with guest vocalists on selected tracks, eLxAr have released an impressive amount of music, including three albums, Looking For The Sound in 2021, Beyond The Emotions in 2022, and Samsara in 2023, and numerous singles. Possessing a captivating voice in her own right, Alex began singing vocals for eLxAr in 2023, adding a richer and fuller dimension to their already marvelous sound.

Keeping with their goal of creating music that’s both entertaining and provocative, the duo began 2024 with a series of singles that will culminate in their fourth album Demons, due for release toward the end of the year. Each song will address “different ways that humans exploit and make other humans suffer.” The lead single “Dust”, released on January 17, touches on manipulation, whereas “Nessuno Vede” (Italian for “No One Sees”) is a scathing denunciation of cyberbullying that’s become far too prevalent today, sadly even in Italy.

About the song, the duo elaborate: “Nessuno Vede” is THE song against the plague that is cyberbullying. A plague that gains in destructive power the more our world revolves around the usage of cold and soulless technology, putting humanity aside. No one can truly know the pain and disappointment that victims endure because they no longer trust, and belittle the abuse they’ve suffered to appear strong or to avoid repercussions. It seems to be trendy on social media. In schools and workplaces they inform on what to do and what not to do without providing real support. News reports about it only when it’s already too late, and people wonder “why?”… and in all cases, no one speaks up, no one is punished, or the punishments are mild.”

“Nessuno Vede” is a darkly beautiful synthwave track, with an arresting, almost haunting soundscape highlighted by gauzy atmospheric synths layered over a languid hypnotic beat. Although sung in Italian, Alex’s emotive vocals still convey a strong sense of bitter frustration and resentment expressed in the biting lyrics, which they’ve kindly translated to English:

In the dark
Of your silences
You look at the screens
They are barriers

You have fake friends
Lots of virtual ones
Only messages as blades cutting edges

You look for a way out but hatred, contempt, haunts you
It becomes useless to ask for help
No one will ever stop them

Lots of scars
Made invisible
And secrets kept tight

No one sees
No one listens
In the network your voice is lost

You look for a way out but hatred, contempt, haunts you
It becomes useless to ask for help
No one will ever stop them

And you often think you're going to end it
Pain suffocates you
Poison in their words, slowly, sinks into your soul

Days go by
Like faded pages
You hide
And avoid stares
Fake Smiles
You say you're fine
But then...

Calls
Messages
You suck
I hate you
No one loves you
Go away
You're ugly
But how fat are you
You're pitiful, loser
Why don't you disappear?

This life is unbearable
Their hatred consumes you
It was useless to ask for help
The light inside you has gone out

You often think you're going to end it
Pain suffocates you
Poison in their words, softly, sink into your soul

Connect with eLxAr: Facebook / X (Twitter) / Instagram 

Find their music on Bandcamp / Spotify / Apple Music / Amazon Music / Tidal / YouTube