Going by the moniker of Fractures, Mark Zito has released a stunning self titled debut with the Fractures EP. Full of subtle harmonies, gentle brooding and haunting vocals and lyricism, Zito has put together an enlightening experience. Immersing the listener in an ethereal orchestra of soulful sounds Fractures is an introspective compilation following the themes of bitter love, loss and hidden turmoil. Delivering it all within a subtle production the EP lingers on your mind and keeps you looking back.
The wind up of each track is bordering magical, building upon a slow layering of melodies, harmonic synth, acoustic intervals and Zito’s own poignant falsetto drawing into every song before a hit of understated percussion completes the allure. “Embers” immediately pulls you into Zito’s atmospheric production with this beautiful approach leaving you listless with its imagery. ”Find out we were barely breathing… bodies finally feeling”. The opening track of the Fractures EP delivers on every front.
“Cadence” is different, the tempo is heightened, the feeling between euphoric and melancholy, yet while Zito’s vocals are caught wanting ever so slightly in some verses, the track is still infectious.
Every so often a repetitive bass loop can take away from a track. This does not occur in “Won’t Win”, your focus is entirely on Fractures’ voice as he expresses that simple hook. A testament to the subtlety of Zito’s melodies and lyricism producing that moody sound. The song is then lifted to something new with a rapid drum style entering the track, giving an edge and moving it form self-defeat to defiance.
“It’s Alright” is a calming piece with Zito’s soothing harmonies and classic piano nearing the likes of Bon Iver or Panama, before you are juxtaposed back to the stop start style of hypnotic bass and synth with “Twisted”. This is the closest track on the EP to really follow the traditional rise and fall of a pop song, with each verse seeming minimalist against the lush seductive chorus.
“Mortal” is a reflection of its title becoming the darkest track on the EP with a heavy onset drum accompanying a haunting vocal chorus as it hums through the song “You know it’s not easy getting through this”. Fractures manages to add refinement to raw emotion with his music.
“Unwind” is an uplifting end to the EP, while it follows a similar vein to its predecessors there is an optimistic note to the melodies that carry through the song. “You gotta get back up, somehow.” brings you up out of recesses of your soul and unwinds the tension.
The bonus track “Ghosts” with Andrei Eremin is unlike the rest of Fractures, a bold production against Zito’s usual intricate and elusive compositions, even the vocals seem to take on a deeper animated tone. The beautiful sample that flows through the track alongside the mesmerising loop and fade of the song itself is a fresh rework of Fractures’ harmonic stylings.
Fractures’ has made his mark in this genre. Boasting multiple sold out shows, this debut is an effortless display of the sound that has made people excited.
Review Score: 8.4 out of 10 
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Fractures is out now via Create/Control.
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