Nick Sanzeri is a musician who works on his craft holistically, and with a complete attention to every minute bit of detail. Writing, arranging, performing, and producing is all handled by the multi-talented musician who also plays his hand in video work and cover art. After a lustrous career performing predominantly cover works, Sanzeri pivoted towards creating his own work after nearly two decades of dedicated work. ‘Heart Break Beat’ is a culmination of its experiences, a visceral record from the heart that Sanzeri’s crafted through a myriad of influences and originality. Predominantly stylised like a classic piece of rock music, it also incorporates bits and pieces of modern production.
Kickstarting with ‘Celebrate Yourself’, Sanzeri utilises a slew of licks and bass dominant arrangement to wholeheartedly be yourself to. Lyrically, the song plays a story about relying on your own qualities and celebrating them because they’re all you have at the end of the day. It’s the bass work that has you most enamoured here, and throughout the album though. The style shifts dramatically on venus in Pisces, a more ethereal and atmospheric tune that’s more dream rock than classic or alternative. There isn’t too much complexity on this record with regard to the kind of content on this record. But it’s in Sanzeri’s arrangement that there’s plenty of fun to be had and experiences to enjoy. On ‘Life Is Hard’, a cheery and upbeat pop rock tune, he describes his own personal struggles during lockdown with an up-tempo tune that’s filled with good vibes.
It’s an honest record, one that Sanzeri’s clearly poured his heart into. There’s a vulnerability to the song-writing which sees him exploring his own troubles and feelings refreshingly candidly. But simultaneously, he’s also managed to make the entire record exceptionally fun and exciting for a listener to just rock out to.