Glassio, the acclaimed London-based indie-electronic and pop project of Irish-Iranian songwriter and producer Sam R., has unveiled his latest single, “Al Pacino”, featuring NYC artist Loren Berí. A shimmering and surreal slice of melancholy electro-pop, the track transforms a cinematic reference into a deeply personal meditation on loss and goodbyes. Blending French-Touch grooves, New Wave textures, and the melodic richness of Brian Wilson, the song expands on the sonic world Glassio has coined as “melancholy disco.”
While the title nods to Al Pacino’s role in Michael Mann’s Heat, the connection is metaphorical rather than literal. “Al Pacino is a concept, an idea,” Glassio explains. “He has worn many faces. Maybe this is a song about saying goodbye to someone in your life who negatively does the same.” The track emerged from a late-night Zoom call and a long-distance friendship, weaving a playful yet heart-wrenching narrative that channels the pain of losing a friend while stirring older griefs that often resurface through such partings.
Over the past few years, Glassio has carved out a distinct identity in the indie-electronic landscape, drawing fans worldwide with his unique blend of emotional storytelling and danceable rhythms. Often described as “melancholy disco,” his sound fuses brooding beats with melodic warmth, bridging influences from Big Beat to Chamber Pop to New Wave. His catalog has surpassed 25 million streams, with placements in Netflix and HBO series and acclaim from outlets including FADER, NYLON, FLOOD, Wonderland, and Consequence.
Glassio’s journey has included collaborations and tours with artists such as Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, Nada Surf, and Electric Youth, as well as remixes and co-writing projects for talents like Warner Case, Clubhouse, and Madge. His 2016 debut EP Poptimism landed on Spotify’s Global Viral Charts, while his 2020 full-length For The Very Last Time earned recognition from Bandcamp as one of the year’s best electronic albums. Follow-up album See You Shine continued his international breakthrough, reaching No. 1 on multiple iTunes charts and featuring in films and series such as Amazon Studios’ Don’t Make Me Go and Netflix’s Locke and Key.
Now, with “Al Pacino”, Glassio channels his signature “melancholy disco” into one of his most personal works to date—an evocative, genre-blending release that captures both the joy and sorrow of parting ways while reinforcing his place as a leading voice in the indie-electronic scene.
Glassio: Instagram
Loren Berí: Instagram