Zalerno - Mythic Romance [EP]

Zalerno is a New Jersey–based duo formed by lifelong audio junkies Griffin Salerno (17) and Joaquin Narucki (19), whose partnership began with a chance jam session and quickly turned into an instinct-driven creative bond they describe as being “sound mates.” Raised in musical households and shaped by constant experimentation, the pair channel rock, pop, and underground energy into songs that prioritize feeling over polish or trends. Their debut EP, Mythic Romance, arriving January 9, captures that approach in full—built on trust, raw chemistry, and a love of making noise. Rather than centering on any single moment, the EP presents Zalerno as a young band learning in real time, embracing spontaneity, and letting songs take shape naturally through riffs, melodies, and emotional impulse.

Mythic Romance expands on the spark first heard on their debut single “Curious,” but its focus is broader: documenting the push and pull of youth, anxiety, connection, and creative growth. The EP reflects Griffin’s evolving songwriting process—sometimes fast, sometimes unresolved—and the duo’s shared belief that music should connect before it impresses. Influenced by a wide range of artists and experiences, from family ties to the indie scene to everyday interactions and environments, Zalerno treats recording as a living process rather than a finished product. With Mythic Romance, Zalerno establishes themselves not just as a promising new act, but as a band committed to honesty, instinct, and the long road of figuring things out together.