Like every year, the appointment with the previews of the Sanremo songs returns. There are thirty pieces that Amadeus has chosen for the 74th edition of the Festival, broadcast from 6 to 10 February, and which he presented in Milan , at the Rai headquarters in via Mecenate, and via video connection in Rome.
With the benefit of the doubt from first listening, reserved for journalists, here are our impressions and report cards.
Alessandra Amoroso - Up to here
Warning: the Sanremo classics are in danger of extinction. However, one is grabbed by Alessandra Amoroso who, in her debut on the Ariston stage, offers us, oops proposes, a slow piano ballad about growth and self-awareness. It doesn't shine with originality, you can't shake off the feeling of having already heard and heard it again. Yet we see the stadium, the adoring crowds and the flashes of the cell phones on as if in a dream. Rating 6
Alpha - Go!
Give us a little healthy prejudice. From the author of the summer 2023 hit "Bellissimissima" complete with a little heart (this one <3, so to speak), we expected another teenage catchphrase, with all due respect. And instead, surprise. Alfa presents himself with a country folk piece in an "on the road" style. The refrain: “Never look back and go.” In short «hit the road Alfa and don't you come back». Rating 7
Angelina Mango - Boredom
An absolute revelation of 2023, at just over twenty years old she quickly shook off the label of "daughter of". «It's the cumbia of boredom», says the refrain, recalling indigenous South American sounds. A little urban folk, a little R&B, fresh and new, Angelina Mango is the perfect combination of contemporaneity and tradition. Madame and Dardust do the rest. Rating 9
Annalisa - Sincerely
Pop, melodic, romantic. We are talking about Annalisa yes, but about the Annalisa of 2021, that is, the last time she took the stage at the Ariston. How far has he come since then? “Sincerely” is further proof of this: electro pop piece, which evokes sequins, lurex and high heels. Between synthesizers, straight drums and engaging beats, we challenge you to stay still on that "when when when". Rating 9
BigMama - Anger is not enough for you
Powerful and effective, it hits the target with this "anger" of those who suffer violence and bullying: "It is easy to destroy the most fragile." Revenge is served, but with style. Rating 7
Bnkr44 - Punk Government
In all this abundance of disco music, Bnkr44 (read Bunker44) stand out for their punk inspirations. Inspirations, we underline this, because the genre is decidedly sweetened, let's say "astonized". The intent is to express all the discomfort associated with Generation Z: "I write inside a garage, my head is a collage." Rating 6.5
Clara - Rough diamonds
Winner of Sanremo Giovani, she has rightfully earned her place among the Bigs. Nice sound, between hip hop and trap, but unfortunately it shares with the latter genre the atavistic challenge of being able, as listeners, to distinguish the words. Too bad, because he seems to have a lot to say. Rating 6
Dargen D'Amico - High wave
After “Dove si balla”, once again Dargen D'Amico does not give up a love song. For trash, that is. Partly “Dance of the Witches” by Gabry Ponte, partly “L'amour toujours” by Gigi D'Agostino, Dargen D'Amico has never recovered from the Italodance techno fever. But after all, who succeeded? The text, ironies aside, is anything but a game: boats, wars, racism. A slap in the face. Rating 8.5
Diodato - You move
On the notes of a piano, romantic but not saccharine, Diodato's voice gives that touch of style that conquers. That search for "the last part of me that still believes it is possible" makes us forgive the very, perhaps too classical, sounds. Rating 8
Emma - Freediving
Emma also gives in to the temptation of nineties disco. Emma too, like Annalisa, says goodbye to the old version of herself, the one that won Sanremo 12 years ago with Non è l'inferno. And without going too far, that of Every Time is like this too. Who, after all, is just two years old. Good. Rating 9
Fiorella Mannoia - Mariposa
The lady of Italian music surprises with an up-tempo. And if she even does it, it means that the Sanremo song, the one that was studied at the table for an entire year, is officially a memory. Mariposa tastes like Latin pop, it tastes like pizzica, it tastes like bonfires and summer air. The text is a hymn to femininity and freedom. Rating 7.5
Fred De Palma - Heaven doesn't want us
He sets aside his reggaeton to propose a song with more nineties keyboards. The production is worth it, but it seems to have been written on paper to become a hit. Rating 6.5
Gazelles - That's it
The only indie song convinces: could it be that it has no rival? Rating 8.5
Geolier - I'm for me, you're for you
Product of the Campania hip-hop school which has recently conquered a large slice of the Italian market, the talent of this 23 year old from Secondigliano who wants to bring Naples to the world is undisputed. Don't be surprised if he succeeds. Rating 7.5
Ghali - My home
There was a lot of curiosity. Expectations completely disappointed. Ghali, who emerged seven years ago, today has the right artistic maturity to bring politics into prime time. Rating 7
The Three - Fragile
Catchy, with some more contemporary sounds here and there. But unfortunately tasteless. We trust in a second listen, because for now the pneumatic vacuum remains. Rating 5
Il Volo - Masterpiece
We were hoping for some special twist, but nothing: the same old Volo. However, the bel canto is guaranteed and, it must be recognized, it is also one of the pieces that uses the orchestra the most. That high-pitched three-voice finale would make it a “masterpiece”. Of that, however, there is only the title. Rating 5
Irama - Not you
The attack is the sound of falling rain, not the best. We continue with many vocalizations. In short, tired. Rating 5.5
The Sad - Self-destructive
Another punk piece, they mimic an experience similar to Eminem's Lose Yourself but in the style of Pinguini Tattici Nucleari (Riccardo Zanotti is also among the authors). And if what you just read seems strange to you, wait until you listen to it. Rating 6.5
Loredana Berté - Crazy
A blast of rock, the only one that will be heard throughout the Festival. Loredana is the queen of the stage with this hymn to self-love: «Crazy about myself, yes because I hated myself enough». We are crazy about her. Rating 9
Mahmood - Gold tracksuit
This time too it hypnotizes with its unique sophistication. Tribal, Mediterranean, almost archaic sounds, unmistakable rhythm. A sure hit. Rating 9
Maninni - Spectacular
Ballad d'amore, starts at a disadvantage because on the Ariston dancefloor you just want to dance. Let's face it: this year, the classic is out of fashion. Rating 4.5
Mr.Rain - Two swings
He repeats a ballad (spoiler: without children). Boring but the Imogen Heap-style electronic arrangements stand out. But they only entertain us for a moment: a great fiddle follows. Rating 5.5
Negramaro - "Let's start everything again"
The nostalgia of a love that is very (very) in crisis. Essence of Negramaro to the nth degree, a finale that doesn't even include Coldplay. Anyway: welcome back. Rating 7.5
Renga and Nek - "Crazy about you"
"Love is stupid but it makes you cry." But really? Trivial text, music too. A little lesson on what love is, we definitely didn't need it. Rating 5
Rich and Poor - But not all of life
They are also "recorded", if they are your favorites and you are under thirty don't be surprised. It's called the rejuvenation operation and yes, it was successful. Rating 8
Rose Villain - Click boom!
At first cavernous and dark, then it starts with a sound that, as they once said, pumps in the speakers. You don't get rid of that "Click boom boom boom" easily. Rating 7.5
Sangiovanni - Finish me
An unusual Sangiovanni crooner, albeit with a trap and drawl. Don't you hear it? It's the crack of his broken heart. Rating 6
French Saints - Love in the mouth
They win X Factor 2022, then move on to Sanremo Giovani and now aim for a good placement in the rankings with a pop but elegant song. "You left me with love in my mouth." They win (at least metaphorically) because they are sincere. Rating 8.5
The Kolors - One boy one girl
What can I say, they've got a taste for it now. Get ready: after Italodisco «A boy meets a girl» will shatter the eardrums, the radios and the social media reels. Rating 8
