Reality by Exo: A 1994 Italian Time Capsule That Still Slaps
Alright, let’s get one thing straight—Exo’s Reality isn’t just another album; it’s a freakin’ wormhole back to '94 Italy where progressive house was king and electronic beats ruled the underground clubs. Released under Metropol'e Records, this gem is raw, unfiltered, and hits like a freight train. Yeah, I said it. It slams.
First off, you gotta hand it to Pablo Paul Martin—he’s wearing more hats than a damn milliner here: computer wizardry, drum programming, producing? Dude did it all. And shoutout to Gabriele Pastori, Paolo Reverdy, and Roberto Barbieri for mixing and arranging this beast into shape. Executive Producer Nando Vannelli? Props to him too for letting this chaos happen. Written by A. Bonsignori, these tracks are stitched together with grit and groove, no fluff included.
Now, onto the goods. The tracklist ain’t huge, but man, does it pack a punch. You’ve got “Reality (Exo Fly),” “Reality (Dub Mix),” “Reality (Underground Club),” and “Reality (The Virtual Fly).” Let me tell ya why two of these cuts stuck in my brain like gum on a hot sidewalk.
“Reality (Exo Fly)”
This one’s the crown jewel. From the second that bassline kicks in, you’re not just listening—you’re strapped in for a ride. It's hypnotic as hell, looping around your skull until you can’t tell what’s real anymore. The synths scream pure ‘90s rave culture, but there’s something darker lurking underneath, like an after-hours club hidden in the catacombs of Rome. This isn’t background music—it demands attention, sweat, and maybe even some questionable life choices. Every time it drops, it feels like getting punched in the chest—in the best way possible.
“Reality (Underground Club)”
If “Exo Fly” is the main event, then “Underground Club” is the dirty little secret you don’t talk about at family dinners. This remix strips everything down to its bare bones, leaving only the essentials: pounding drums and a bassline so thick it could double as tar. It’s relentless, almost aggressive, like someone dared the producer to make a track that could clear out a room or turn it into absolute pandemonium. Spoiler alert: they nailed both.
Let’s be real though—this album shouldn’t work. Progressive house from Italy in ’94? Sounds like a recipe for disaster, right? But somehow, Exo pulls it off. Maybe it’s the sheer audacity of it all, or maybe it’s because these guys weren’t trying to play it safe. They went full throttle, no brakes, no apologies.
Here’s the kicker—the year 1994 wasn’t exactly known for being cutting-edge when it came to electronic music. Most people were still figuring out how to use their first CD players while Exo was dropping futuristic bangers like Reality. Makes you wonder if they knew they were ahead of their time—or if they just didn’t give a damn either way.
So yeah, Reality might fly under the radar for most folks today, but trust me, it deserves a spot in any self-respecting music lover’s collection. Hell, throw it on at your next party and watch people lose their minds. Just don’t blame me if things get weird.
