Nad Sylvan, vocalist with guitarist Steve Hackett’s band, has announced what’s been described as “a vulnerable & personal new solo album”, titled Monumentata and due out on 20th June via InsideOutMusic.
Sylvan’s music draws heavily from the golden age of progressive rock while blending in folk, classical, and modern rock influences, resulting in a sound that feels both classic and contemporary. This collection of eight tracks continues bridging those styles while sprinkling in a few more, from the jazzy-pop feel of ‘Flowerland’ to the 60s R ‘n B influenced ‘Monte Carlo Priceless’, to the aggressive rock flavour of ‘That’s Not Me’.
Out now as a single is ‘Monte Carlo Priceless’ a nostalgic throwback to the 1960s, about which Sylvan said:
“My parents, who frequently visited Monte Carlo, were huge fans, and my dad even befriended Bacharach during his time in the tennis jet set life. However, the song’s lyrics have no connection to my folks. It’s about an abused woman who, at the last minute, goes to Monaco to have a facelift and start a new life.”
Much of the album comes from Sylvan’s life experiences. “This album is much more vulnerable. I’d say about 75% of the lyrics are directly about my life – It’s me laying everything out there, wearing my heart on my sleeve.”
The title track signifies an important moment in the singer’s life when he lost his father, leaving him without both parents. Sylvan explained, “I lost my parents, and knowing that they’re gone – and that one day, I’m probably next in line – that felt monumental to me. That’s where the word monumentata came from. Tata means father in Hungarian, and my dad was half Hungarian. So, I combined those two words to create something new. It’s about losing someone and the disappointment.”
While Sylvan handles vocals, keyboards and most of the guitar parts, the album features a number of notable guest appearances, including guitarists Randy McStine, David Kollar, and Neil Whitford. The drummers on the record include Marco Minnemann, Mirko DeMaio, and Felix Lerhmann. On bass, the singer is helped out by fellow Hackett band member Jonas Reingold, Nick Beggs, and Tony Levin.
Monumentata will be available as a Ltd CD digipak (including a bonus track), gatefold transparent green LP & as a digital Album. Artwork was handled by Hajo Müller.
Tracks featured are: ‘Secret Lover’, ‘That’s Not Me’, ‘Monte Carlo Priceless’, ‘Flowerland’, ‘Wildfire’, ‘Make Somebody Proud’, ‘I’m Stepping Out’, ‘Monumentata’ and ‘Unkillable (Bonus Track)’ – You can order it here.
‘That’s Not Me’ was the album’s first single, about which Sylvan commented: “It’s a very heavy, aggressive song with a strong funk influence—kind of like James Brown meets Deep Purple,” Sylvan. “It’s got a groovy feel, and I absolutely love it because it represents the heavier side of my music. The song explores the challenges of adapting to another culture while traveling the world.”
