Rocco Gibson's "Guanciale e Pancetta" Fries the Rules of Instrumental Composition

Editorial Board
Jul 18
2 min read

A savory, synth-laced groove that sizzles, surprises, and simmers with wit and depth.

Upcoming producer and sound-chef Rocco Gibson’s "Guanciale e Pancetta" isn’t just an a random soundtrack, it’s a sonic recipe, executed with precision, humor, and unmistakable personality.

The title immediately sets the mood: indulgent, irreverent, and proudly Italian. But while the name might suggest a joke, the track itself is no throwaway. It’s a smart, well-seasoned composition that plays with texture, rhythm, and thematic structure in unexpected ways.

From the opening bars, the bassline stands out, rubbery, melodic, and inquisitive.

It doesn’t just hold the groove; it walks through it, peeking around corners, almost vocal in its phrasing. But it’s the lead synth that steals the spotlight. Processed and distorted to the edge of absurdity, it truly does sound like guanciale sizzling in a pan. There’s a tactile quality to it — crispy, fatty, popping — yet it never veers into gimmick. It’s oddly musical, threading itself into the track’s harmonic core like a strange but perfect spice.

What’s most impressive is the sectional structure. Gibson doesn’t lean on looping — the track develops. We get clean breaks, tempo shifts, and dynamic changes that make each new section feel like a new dish being served. One segment strips everything down to let the bass breathe, only to reintroduce the synth with doubled intensity. Another locks into a head-nodding groove that almost hints at funk, then deconstructs it with a surreal, almost cartoonish turn.

Despite its humor, the track is serious about its craft. The mix is clean, the progression intentional. There are no wasted gestures. Even the strangest sounds feel curated, like a chef obsessing over the exact crisp of pancetta.

It’s easy to hear influences — from experimental funk to electronic minimalism, maybe even touches of video game sound design — but Gibson’s voice remains unique and grounded in a conceptual identity.There’s also something emotional under the surface. The track never tells you exactly how to feel, but it hints. There’s warmth in the low end, absurdity in the lead, and tension in the silence between sections. You laugh, you nod, and — maybe without realizing — you feel a little something.

“Guanciale e Pancetta” may not have lyrics, but it says a lot. It plays with our expectations of what instrumental music can be — sensual, strange, culinary, and clever. Rocco Gibson isn’t just composing a beat here. He’s telling a story, sizzling it in olive oil, and serving it hot.