She knew right away, "Night Animals" was the right song to return to Sanremo. Malika Ayane, 42, reinvents herself for her sixth Festival with a song written by Assemini guitarist Luca Faraone. A manifesto of freedom and self-determination with a Caribbean-funk rhythm that evokes 1970s Ornella Vanoni: sophisticated, capable of captivating the Milanese singer-songwriter with her strong musical culture. She studied cello at the Milan Conservatory, performed in the children's choir at the Teatro alla Scala. And then the Festival, with a third place in 2014, two Critics' Awards, and six albums, the last in 2021. Finally, the theater: she played Evita Perón, Grizabella in "Cats," and sang songs from the film adaptation of "Brokeback Mountain." All this between a marathon and watching a match with AC Milan, a team she's a huge fan of.
“Nocturnal Animals”: what was the genesis of this piece?
I received it and fell in love with it instantly. What can I say, it's beautiful and I can't wait for everyone to own it: I could sit here for hours, transforming into a sequencer and replicating every sound. Luca Faraone, together with Merk & Kremont, produced it masterfully. They created a sound world that sucks you in, and it sucked me in too.
How much of your own did you put into it?
The most interesting thing about approaching the lyrics—written with Edwyn Roberts and Stefano Marletta—was recognizing myself, starting with what was applicable to me, and then refining it. It was a team effort. Every listen excites me, and that almost never happens to me; I'm too careful to offer harsh criticism.
It has a very fresh sound: is it a wink to the younger generations?
"I swear, I have no intention of corrupting young minds because they're smarter than us and we can't do it to them."
What do you expect from this Sanremo?
"To have fun, above all. I've done four and a half festivals, the half-year one being 2021, the one without an audience during the Covid period. It was a very powerful experience, I hope the next one gets a point and a half."
