Rome in Reverse, the solo project of Antonella Pacifico, has been exploring the intersection between electronic music and emotional storytelling. Her album KAJAL stands as a pivotal moment in that journey: a deeply introspective work that turns sonic minimalism into personal reflection.
The artist has recently announced a mini-tour with performances in Stengaden Copenhagen and Posten Odense, Denmark, and a headline appearance at the Cool V Plote Festival in Písek, Czech Republic.
Rather than a traditional narrative album, KAJAL unfolds as a series of emotional fragments. Each track was shaped not by formal structure, but by feeling — sounds and atmospheres that emerged during quiet walks, sleepless nights, or moments of inner tension. The result is a collection of pieces that examine adolescence not from the outside, but from within: vulnerable, unresolved, and raw.
The title, KAJAL, refers to a type of makeup Pacifico wore as a teenager. It became a symbol of strength — a way of projecting confidence in times of uncertainty. The album revisits that younger self and gives her space to speak, using field recordings, analogue synths, and processed samples to build intimate and cinematic sonic environments. The palette is intentionally sparse, focused on texture rather than volume.
During its creation, Rome in Reverse avoided any predefined production formula. Working primarily in Ableton Live, and relying on tools like Max for Live, Soundtoys, and Valhalla plugins, Pacifico approached each composition as an emotional translation. Sometimes, a single manipulated sound was enough to represent an entire memory. Influences from artists such as Thom Yorke and Aphex Twin are present, but the aim was never to imitate — instead, she sought to evoke emotional states.
While KAJAL is a solo work, it benefited from a quiet network of support. Friends, sound designers, visual artists, and followers on social media contributed to the process with feedback and encouragement. Though created in solitude, the album was shaped through collective listening — a form of collaborative intimacy that stayed behind the scenes.
Rome in Reverse’s path began in 2014 with the release of Loop and Reverse, followed by projects including Northern Lights and Sun in Reverse, both created in collaboration with Sun Glitters. These early works established her hybrid approach, combining ambient dub, electronic textures, and club rhythms with a reflective sensibility.
Over the years, she has developed a steady presence in both the European and Asian electronic scenes. Performances at festivals such as A Colossal Weekend (Denmark), SEI Festival (Italy), and Pelupo Festival (Thailand) have allowed her to refine a live set often supported by visual art, extending her sound into immersive experiences. Smaller independent festivals and intimate club gigs across Germany, Switzerland, France, and beyond have been equally important in shaping her evolution.
Rome in Reverse’s discography includes releases through labels such as Future Archive Recordings, Phontype Records, and Telavivi Records. Tracks like Wood (with Noklan) and the album KAJAL show a continued shift toward personal storytelling over genre classification. The artist’s growth has been gradual, marked more by artistic risk than commercial trajectory.
Looking forward, Pacifico is focused on expanding her live presence. She is currently developing a performance format that integrates reactive visuals and intimate sound design — a show built to reflect the mood and structure of KAJAL in real time. Conversations are also underway regarding possible appearances in spaces such as HÖR Berlin and Berghain’s Panorama Bar — settings aligned with the contemplative and immersive quality of her work.
The next studio project is already in progress, though Pacifico continues to prioritise process over output. She approaches music without deadlines, letting each idea form naturally before committing it to record. Her goal remains constant: to make music that is emotionally honest and grounded in lived experience.
KAJAL is not a destination but a point along the way — a moment of reflection in an ongoing process of transformation. It invites listeners to pause, listen closely, and recognise the complexity of their own memories in the sonic fragments it presents.
KAJAL is available on digital platforms such as Spotify and more information about Rome in Reverse can be found on Instagram and Bandcamp for updates on future performances and new music.
