Interview: NOCUI on his debut LP 'Italian Robot'

Welcome to an exploration of creativity, innovation, and the profound intersection of humanity and technology. Today, we’re diving into the world of Italian Robot, a debut LP that pushes the boundaries of electronic music while posing thought-provoking questions about our rapidly digitizing lives. This record, crafted by a neuroscientist-turned-musician, masterfully blends retro-futuristic soundscapes, introspective lyrics, and conceptual storytelling into a sonic journey that feels both nostalgic and visionary.

From the tension between evolution and technological advancement to the deeply personal themes of connection, love, and resilience, Italian Robot resonates on multiple levels. Its creator’s dual role as both artist and label founder has enabled an unparalleled depth of creative freedom, resulting in an album that’s as cohesive as it is diverse.

We’re thrilled to delve into the inspirations, challenges, and artistry behind this remarkable work. Let’s begin by exploring the core concept of Italian Robot and the unique perspective that shaped it.

Buylink here - http://lnk.to/italian_robot

Italian Robot explores the tension between humanity and technology. Can you share what sparked this concept and how your neuroscience background influenced the album's thematic and sonic narrative?

Thanks so much for inviting me to share the story behind Italian Robot! I’m really excited to dive into the ideas and inspirations that brought this record to life.

The concept for Italian Robot didn’t just pop up overnight—it’s been a long time coming. The music itself came together pretty quickly, but the themes have been simmering in the back of my mind for years. In a way, this record feels like just the beginning of something bigger.

At its core, Italian Robot is all about the tension between how fast technology is advancing and how slow humans are to evolve. These two things are on completely different timelines, and that disconnect creates a lot of friction. It shapes the way we act, how we feel, and even how we see ourselves. The ways we try to keep up with all this tech often leave us feeling isolated, anxious, or like we’ve lost touch with our social skills.

With my background in neuroscience, I wanted to explore how living in such a tech-heavy world is changing not just the tools we use but how we understand what it means to be human. This record is a way for me to reflect on all that and think about how we can adapt to the world that’s constantly evolving around us.

But at its heart, Italian Robot is really a celebration of what makes us human. It’s not about giving in to technology but about highlighting the unique things that make us... us. And here’s a wild thought—what if, someday, robots tried to recreate us after we’re gone, realizing they’ll never be able to capture something as complex as emotions or creativity? It’s a bit of a mind-bender but also a reminder of just how special and irreplaceable our humanity really is.

The album blends retro-futurist aesthetics with introspective lyrics. How did you balance the nostalgia of 80s Italo and contemporary elements to create a sound that feels both familiar and forward-looking?

There’s no magic trick behind it—it all came down to a lot of experimentation and gradually shaping my own vision for the sound. I believe that experimenting is key to innovation and discovering new, exciting directions in music. My love for ’80s music was the foundation, but everything else came from exploring, trusting my intuition, and letting the creative process flow, all while leveraging modern tools that simply didn’t exist back then.

The sound design and processing were deeply modern, something that wouldn’t have been possible without the cutting-edge technology we have at our fingertips today—plus, of course, my naturally nerdy side to dive into it all, haha.

With the album split into a three-part conceptual journey, how did you approach the structure? Did you envision a narrative arc while producing the tracks, and if so, what story does it tell?

I wanted to break away from the stiff, overly rigid vibe that electronic—and by extension, tech-driven—music often has. That was a big influence on how I approached the arrangements and why I chose to include a human voice—mine—as a way to progressively “humanize” the record as it goes on. The journey starts out structured and precise but gradually shifts into something more fluid and emotional, capturing the essence of human emotions and what makes us unique. After all, we’re natural creators of emotion—something machines just can’t replicate (at least not yet).

The first part of the album is rigid, almost strict in its precise, quantized structure. But then, as we hit the second half with “One Life,” things start to change. The machine glitches, and suddenly, it’s expressing something unexpected: love. How is that even possible? This is where the deeply human themes start to shine through. In “Bring Me Light,” there’s a eureka moment—an embrace of life’s joy and light, almost like finding acceptance. By this point, the album has fully transitioned into human territory.

“Crave The Physical” dives into our deep need to reconnect with each other, highlighting the importance of physical presence and intimacy. And finally, the closing track, “No More Stress,” tackles one of the most universal emotions: heartbreak. But even here, it’s not all doom and gloom—it carries a hopeful tone, showing how we, as humans, can bounce back from pain, overcome adversity, and find a renewed, lighter outlook on life.

Tracks like Maximal Rhapsody, Machine Power, and Give Up Control showcase diverse sonic textures. Which track do you feel is the most personal to you, and why?

Out of all the tracks, Maximal Rhapsody is the one that hits closest to home for me, and I’m especially proud of it. It pulls together so many of the sonic themes from the album, but in a way that feels both surprising and totally cohesive. It really captures the tension and the craving for resolution that run through the whole record, making it a key piece of the album’s story.

Crave the Physical and No More Stress delve into themes of connection and vulnerability. How do these tracks reflect your personal experiences or worldview in an increasingly digitized world?

Crave the Physical is all about the universal need for human connection—not just in an intimate sense, but as part of a bigger, shared experience. I think so many of us are craving community, a way to break free from the isolation that modern technology and lifestyles can bring. It’s not just a feeling—it’s something I’ve noticed in conversations with others and seen backed by studies linking isolation to rising mental health struggles. This track is my way of capturing that shared desire to reconnect with each other on a deeper, more meaningful level.

No More Stress is my take on approaching one of the most universal experiences—heartbreak—in a healthy, positive way. Instead of retreating—hiding behind a phone, staying inside, or shutting people out—it’s about leaning into life and all its possibilities. Rather than numbing out with distractions, it’s a conscious decision to smile, get outside, and move—ideally, surrounded by others. It’s about finding joy in taking that next step forward and reconnecting with the world, even when you’re hurting.

Italian Robot is not only your debut LP but also Shapeless Culture's first full-length release. How did your role as both artist and founder influence the creative and production processes?

It influenced me in both good and challenging ways. The best—and also the hardest—part was having total creative freedom. While freedom can spark innovation, it can also feel a bit overwhelming. Sometimes, having someone set a few boundaries can actually help, which is why some artists like working with more hands-on labels. But that wasn’t the case for me or my label. All that freedom gave me room to be creative and explore, but it also brought moments of doubt. Getting through those moments took a lot of confidence in my vision and trust in the process.

The album combines electronic, rock, pop, and atmospheric soundscapes. How do you ensure cohesion across such varied styles while still maintaining your unique identity?

Ha! I’m not totally sure—you’d have to ask my brain and intuition for the full scoop. But honestly, it’s been a gradual evolution into the sound and style that define my music now. Lately, I feel like I’ve hit my stride with certain arrangement and sound design techniques, and they naturally made their way into the album. I think it’s because I’ve gotten so comfortable with them through all the experimenting and exploring I’ve done. It’s like the process of discovery has been shaping my sound all along, and I’m only just now realizing it.

With tracks like Give Up Control exploring techno-dystopian themes, how do you personally view the relationship between art and technology in shaping modern society

Art and technology have always gone hand in hand, and it’s no different now. The new ways we can express ourselves through technology have the potential to spark some truly groundbreaking music. I really think we’re at a turning point in music history—kind of like when the electric guitar or the first synthesizers came on the scene.

What makes it even more interesting is that all of this is happening during a really turbulent time politically and economically. That kind of environment could inspire a bold, disruptive music movement that really reflects the times. But on the flip side, the worst-case scenario is that we just keep going with the status quo—using technology to make music that’s more about showing off than actually connecting. That would probably leave us with music that looks and sounds cool but doesn’t have much real substance.

The artwork and press shots for Italian Robot are striking. How do the visual elements complement the album’s sonic journey, and what role do they play in conveying the album’s themes?

For the singles, we wanted the covers to capture the main vibe of each track in a simple, minimalist way that reflects the music without overpowering it. Each one is a subtle nod to the track’s core message, giving listeners a visual cue while still leaving plenty of room for their own interpretations.

For the album cover, my cousin Ciro Amicone went deeper, creating something more symbolic to tie into the overall concept of the record. He designed an image of two hands—one human, one robotic—reaching toward each other. It’s all about the tension between technology and humanity, that constant push and pull. The hands are almost touching, which hints at a longing for connection, but there’s still a gap between them. It’s a powerful metaphor for the search for balance—a way for tech and human nature to coexist or at least meet halfway.

But the hands aren’t just literal—they’re also symbolic of bigger questions. Can technology ever truly understand or recreate human emotions? And what happens if the gap between humans and machines keeps growing? Ciro’s design leaves these questions open, giving space to reflect on the relationship between the natural and the artificial, and whether there’s ever really a balance between the two.

As your debut LP, Italian Robot sets a significant milestone for you and your label. What are your aspirations for its impact on listeners and your future projects in 2024 and beyond?

I really hope Italian Robot connects with as many people as possible. The themes in this record are universal, and I want it to be a kind of refuge for anyone wrestling with similar ideas. My biggest hope is that it brings comfort and helps people feel less alone in their thoughts. For me, music has always felt like home, and I want this record to give others that same sense of belonging.

As for what’s next, I’ve got a lot of exciting things in the works. New music is on the way—I’ll be dropping a series of singles starting in January 2025! Each one will feature my voice, and I’m diving all in on embracing my humanity, letting it shine through even more in everything I create.