Marlon Bianco - Magnitude (Black Vinyl)

Marlon Bianco – Magnitude is the second album from the Brighton-based multi-instrumentalist and vocalist, presented on black vinyl through Palace Records. Conceived as a two-sided journey, the record begins with its feet planted firmly on the ground before the second half leaves the atmosphere behind. Soulful songwriting, psychedelic electronics, soundtrack detail and jazz-funk movement combine in a concept album that feels playful, cinematic and carefully shaped.

The first side introduces Bianco’s warm vocal presence and ear for compact, melodic arrangements. “Here We Go”, “Love Me Back” and the title track move between intimate soul and widescreen instrumental colour, while “Departure” and “Bon Voyage” prepare the transition from terrestrial concerns to the stranger territory of the reverse. The sequencing gives the album a clear narrative arc without sacrificing the immediacy of individual songs.

On the second side, “Lonely Star”, “Roboland (SFJ)”, “MBK17” and “Sigma” lean further into what the artist describes as psychedelic spacetronics. Analogue-feeling textures, elastic rhythm and cosmic sound design sit alongside the human warmth of the performances, before “7am: Returning Home” brings the voyage back toward daylight. The result is exploratory but never cold, with soulful vocals and live musicianship keeping the electronic detail grounded.

Bianco is joined by a close group of collaborators including Oscar “Sholto” Robertson and David Bardon, who also handled production, alongside Dante Notar, Jonathan Chung, Laura Gallon and Federico Bersano. Their contributions give Magnitude the feel of a tightly connected studio ensemble rather than a purely solo construction. For listeners drawn to contemporary soul, jazz-funk, library-inspired soundtracks and left-field electronic pop, this is an imaginative and accessible record with a strong sense of movement. The black-vinyl LP edition captures the full ten-track sequence across two carefully contrasted sides.

The album’s concise running time and carefully judged two-part structure make it especially rewarding as a complete front-to-back listen, with each side offering a distinct mood while remaining part of the same imaginative journey.