“Smoke” by Mouth Water Is a Synth-Soaked Escape You’ll Want to Stay Lost In

Italian synth-wave producer and multi-instrumentalist Lawrence Fancelli, better known by his evocative moniker Mouth Water, steps back into the spotlight with “Smoke”—a hauntingly lush single that lands like a whisper in the dark: seductive, cinematic, and quietly defiant.

Released via Through the Void Records on April 4, “Smoke” straddles the fine line between dream-pop melancholy, synth-laced electronica, and ambient introspection. It doesn’t rush; it sways. It lingers. It invites listeners into a hazy, slow-burn atmosphere where every sonic choice feels intentional. Built on glistening synth textures, crisp percussion, and ghosted vocal layers, “Smoke” feels like a memory you can’t quite place—familiar, yet elusive.

The track unfolds at its own pace, letting the mood settle before gently pulling the listener into a world shaped by movement, memory, and muted rebellion. “Smoke was born from the urge to tell a story of escape—a quiet rebellion,” Mouth Water shares. It’s a sonic vignette of a girl on the run, a suitcase full of secrets, trying to stay ahead of a past that keeps catching up.

In his words, “Smoke” is "a hymn to freedom, but also a bitter reflection: today, we can’t truly disappear. The past follows us, even when we think we’ve outrun it." That emotional friction—between escape and inevitability—is what gives the track its quiet power.

Dreamy, yes, but never directionless.

The production is restrained yet immersive, with echoed vocals that drift like inner monologues, airy synths stretching toward distant horizons, and chords that feel like watching fog roll in through city lights. There’s an emotional sharpness in the softness—something Mouth Water has been refining across releases.

If last year’s darkly glittering single “Blackout” served as a sonic warning shot, “Smoke” feels like the full bloom—less reactive, more reflective. The artist leans confidently into cinematic pacing and lyrical ambiguity, never overstating, never rushing. There’s a stillness to the track that’s never stagnant—perfect for a long night drive, a slow dance in an empty room, or the moment right before the sun rises. It’s music for in-between moments—when nothing is certain, and yet everything is felt.

Fresh off a standout appearance at Primavera Sound and gearing up for a summer tour with Sophie and the Giants, Mouth Water continues to evolve. His signature sound—anchored in analog warmth but elevated by electronic sophistication—resonates deeper with each release. From early remix work and bass-driven productions to this more nuanced, narrative-forward era, Fancelli is proving that mood is a powerful storytelling device.

While “Smoke” stands tall on its own, it also teases what’s ahead. With a full-length album slated for 2025, this single feels like a glimpse through the keyhole—moody, intriguing, and undeniably promising.

Listen to “Smoke” now on Spotify—and let it carry you wherever your own memories lead.

About Mouth Water:

Mouth Water is the brainchild of Italian producer and multi-instrumentalist Lawrence Fancelli. Known for his stylish live shows and high-profile remixes by artists like Lindstrøm and Rhye, Mouth Water is making significant waves in the electronic music scene. His versatile tracks combine modern and vintage sounds, blending house with nostalgic ‘80s electro pop, as highlighted in his mesmerizing single, "Blackout" (MusicTech). Mouth Water’s performances are equally likely to make a crowd dance in a club or allow a solitary listener to zone out on their headphones (SPIN).

Lawrence’s journey began behind the scenes as a sound engineer and bass player in New York and Florence, Italy. In 2013, he founded OSB Studio, a recording facility located in a charming old farmhouse in the Tuscan countryside. This studio has hosted numerous artists and bands and serves as the creative base for the Mouth Water project, which debuted in 2019. In 2023, Mouth Water began performing hybrid live sets that showcase Lawrence’s rich background as both a musician and mixing artist. These performances feature a seamless integration of electronic and acoustic instruments, accompanied by custom-made graphic visuals, creating an immersive live experience. Notably, in 2023, Mouth Water opened for Röyksopp at Tenax Club and performed at the renowned Primavera Sound festival in Barcelona in June 2024.

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