Richard Orofino is a Brooklyn-based producer, singer, and songwriter who began producing music around 2013, working with piano, drums, and guitar, cloistered in the noble pursuit of pop mastery with countless songs, each improving his skillset and honing his instinct.

Orofino‘s latest EP, Forging A Hardened Outer Shell, is a captivating journey that delves deep into the complexities of human emotions. Through a blend of introspective lyrics, soulful melodies, and skillful instrumentation, Orofino offers listeners a thought-provoking experience that lingers long after the final note.

Forging A Hardened Outer Shell goes through many different lyrical topics. The artist has pointed out that “its sound touches multiple genres while all feeling in harmony with each other. The different people involved in the creation of the tracks along the playthrough lend to this idea even further.”

The album is a musical tour of lights and shadows and this was explained by the artists, pointing out the following: “I really had just been going through so many phases in my life while writing and creating the music on this thing. Probably the most chaotic, heavenly, drastic changes in a short period of time I’d ever experienced in my life went down. It felt like I was switching my face with my criminal self’s face like in the movie Face/Off with John Travolta and Nicolas Cage.”

The EP opens with the track “I Hope So,” immediately setting the tone for the introspective exploration that follows. He said this track came about with his friend Christian Taylor. “It’s supposed to feel like shrinking and squishing and squeezing while also being glittery and sparkly. Like wanting to wear another person’s face like in the movie Face/Off. We tracked the vocals at half speed and then brought them back up to the original b.p.m. so I sound really weird, little, and excited on the recording. It reminds me a lot of Face/Off (1987) starring John Travolta and Nicolas Cage in that we all have both an agent and a criminal inside of us,” Richard mentioned.

The subtle instrumentation makes a difference throughout the EP, because it is never invasive, on the contrary, it becomes an element that blends completely with the singer’s voice and conveys calm amidst the emotions that the artist is trying to convey. Orofino‘s lyrics are a standout feature throughout the EP, displaying a raw vulnerability that invites listeners into his world. The acoustic-driven instrumentation provides a gentle backdrop, allowing the emotions to take center stage.

As the EP progresses, tracks like “Heart Splat” showcase Orofino‘s ability to seamlessly weave personal storytelling with relatable themes. With the lyrics, the artist ensures a direct ticket to the emotions of almost anyone who has been through a situation of similar vulnerability in which they have had to hear painful words that they did not want to face. The melodies in this song and in the whole EP, are both haunting and soothing, capturing the complexity of the human experience. The production values shine here, with careful attention paid to the arrangement of each instrument and the overall sonic atmosphere.

One of the EP’s tracks is “Dragonslayer”, which dives into the theme of self-discovery and growth. The song leans more on preparing for the arrival of the right person and being prepared for that moment. Orofino‘s voice carries a sense of longing and determination, perfectly encapsulating the struggle of navigating one’s identity amidst life’s challenges. 

The closing track, “Johnnycakes”, offers a glimmer of hope as Orofino sings about finding support in someone and a delicate kiss on the cheek. The song’s uplifting melodies serve as a fitting conclusion to an EP that journeys through pain, nostalgia, and resignation and emerges into the light.

Richard Orofino EP debut was “Bella Notte” which came out in 2019 and was produced with Gotye’s Francois Tetaz, followed about a year later by “SPELL” which was produced by Richard himself, and a year after that the “Chimaera” EP. 

Orofino’s Forging A Hardened Outer Shell demonstrates the artist’s raw ability to use personal storytelling in his lyrics and deftly weave it with meaningful, relatable themes. The EP is an adventure through lights and shadows full of complexity, providing listeners with a direct ticket to emotions they have felt before and may feel again. Carefully placed production values provide an atmosphere that engulfs and aids in the conveyance of these complex emotions. Ultimately, this EP stands out as a powerful reflection of life itself.

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