Sanremo, the festival of feelings between rap and 80s

The feelings. Always them. Those who take Sanremo and monopolize it. Whether it is love, sometimes happy sometimes not, for the partner (Enrico Nigiotti, Diodato, Le Vibrazioni, Riki), that for the mother (Giordana Angi), a son (Paolo Jannacci) or the grandson who recently is facing life (Piero Pelù). The law of the festival strikes again this year and does nothing if the world falls apart, between greenhouse gases that suffocate us and wars at the doorstep that seem to be able to explode at any moment. At Ariston, as usual, the heart-love rhyme is always the master for at least half of the 24 songs in the race. The other half is divided between reflections on current affairs (Rancore and Junior Cally), on themselves (Marco Masini, Irene Grandi, Rita Pavone), on diversity (Levante) and on the difficulty of relating to a world that would like us all approved. and slaves of single thought (Michele Zarrillo and the generational cry launched by Anastasio). "The Festival is many things together: shows, variety, guests. But the highlight is the songs. And I'm very happy with the selected songs - claims Amadeus, conductor and artistic director -. It took me months to find a composition that can be current and Contemporary". He says that he did not use the sling bar in the choice of musical genres (nor in that of the blue or pink quotas), "but I went on songs that I thought were strong and that had the characteristics to last over time". And so a lot of rhythm, a lot of rock, a lot of eighties sounds, a reinforced dose of urban and rap, some ballads and a couple of very "Sanremo" pieces. The musical range is varied and varied. The younger ones convince. Above all Junior Cally, Elodie, Rancore. The first, between rap and pop anti-populist, makes references not too veiled to Matteo Salvini ("I hate the racist who thinks of the country but the mojito is better") and to Matteo Renzi ("the liberal of the left center who loses games and refounds the party "). Elodie relies on Mahmood and Dardust (and is heard) for an urban piece that scratches and leaves its mark (and it will also do so on the radio). There is the hand of Dardust (Dario Faini) also in the piece of Rancore, which last year stood out with Daniele Silvestri in Argentovivo. The Vibrations fish in their history with a piece with a hypnotic refrain (Where is, where is, where is, joy where is, repeated like a mantra). They also surprise Bugo and Morgan, with their leap into electro-pop in the full eighties, between Battiato and Ivan Cattaneo. Anastasio stands out with his desperate cry "How are you feeling? Defused". Exciting and intense Giordana Angi, who confirms her writing skills, while Irene Grandi enhances the song written for her by Vasco Rossi and Gaetano Curreri. Someone, on the other hand, disappoints a little. Achille Lauro, who astonished only a year ago, repeats himself and his Mine doesn't care if he follows Rolls Royce a little too much. Even for Enrico Nigiotti (well in 2019 with Nonno Hollywood) it seems a lost opportunity: he does not throw his heart beyond the obstacle and his rock ballad does not dare, keeping on the quiet track of the typical Sanremo composition. Even for the return of Riki, who plays with the autotune, expectations were higher. There are also those who try to displace the listener, like Raphael Gualazzi, who abandons the image of the serious pianist to enjoy more Caribbean atmospheres, seasoned with electronics. At his 13th festival also Michele Zarrillo tries to change his skin, while Rita Pavone claims her role in Italian music and the voice seems to give her reason. A hit of dance cheer will try to bring it the Nuclear Tactical Penguins, the indie share of the festival, which since their passage to Ariston have only to gain. Like Elettra Lamborghini, who chose the comfort zone of reggaeton. The two former Diodato and Levante seem to be talking at a distance. She sings: "Hi you, tired animal, you are left alone" and he, who tells a finished love, seems to answer her: "You know what I think, that I shouldn't think, that if I think then I'm an animal". Alberto Urso completes the picture, which, we have to swear, will meet the public's favor with his nostalgic pop-lyric, Francesco Gabbani with a nursery rhyme in which he plays with words, Paolo Jannacci who seeks his way in songwriting. Marco Masini looks in the mirror and makes peace with himself, while Piero Pelù plays the role of grandfather rock. Tosca's voice embellishes a piece with a dreamy atmosphere