“Marco Mengoni Discusses Inclusiveness and Social Issues in New Album ‘Prisma'”

The rainbow crosses his face on the cover of the new album. Marco Mengoni closes the «Materia» trilogy with the third album «Prisma» (releases on Friday) and the play of colors recalls the decomposition of light through the solid. But that rainbow has a deeper meaning for the songwriter. And it connects to the flag that Marco waved, together with the Italian flag, on the stage of the Eurovision final about ten days ago. “It was the banner of total inclusivenessagainst all discrimination. In Italy I see many things that I’m not understanding because, in 2023, they seem anachronistic to me. It is not my desire to go against it, but a desire to understand what is happening. I believe that inclusiveness and minorities are an integral part of society. The forces of the government majority do not seem to be going in the same direction as you in terms of LGBTQ+ rights: «It scares me a littlebut I’m not alone since an overseas head of government also said it (referring to the Canadian Trudeau ndr). There are actions I see and thoughts I hear that make me want to shout my ideas even at the cost of receiving the negative comments that obviously came after that flag. Even if they were more positive ones. I don’t like the position of the current government».

From general to particular. Are you referring to Minister Roccella? “Not only that, also the remarks of the Speaker of the Chamber Fontana. I would like to understand why there is this approach». She tries to keep away from partisan judgement. «I don’t like to use the word ‘fascism’. I don’t agree with what is being said though. Is it an exercise to invoke something dictatorial? Or something to open a debate and confront each other? Of course if it were this second option it wouldn’t seem like the right way to me. I see absolutism, as if all these people didn’t live on the street or go to the supermarket to talk to people. How to judge Cuba from the room of a five star. I don’t have assistants who do everything for me, I don’t live in the Olympus of singers: I have friends who do other things with whom I compare myself».

What warms Mengoni are not only the battles for LGBTQ+ rights. “The Damned of the Earth”, one of the most musically interesting and experimental songs on the album that pushes between electronics and world, takes us into the drama of those who cross deserts and seas to end up in the ghettos and slums of the illegal hiring. And in the song there is also an excerpt from a speech by Nelson Mandela. «I was inspired by the work of anthropologist Frantz Fanon who showed how we approach different cultures differently. We have to find different ways to welcome those who flee from places that are not peaceful and safe».

It’s not an entirely social record. Indeed, the prism is also musical, the colors and themes change from one song to another. There is also a moment of more disengagement with Elodie on «Pazza musica» which plays with the atmospheres of black music: «We are friends with her and we had promised each other a collaboration for some time. With this song in which I put all my African-American influences we go against the tide, we are against a summer of Latin and reggaeton songs». Anyone used to thinking of Mengoni as a beautiful voice will be surprised by how he transforms and deforms it into «I’m not this”: “I enjoyed using different perspectives. The prism lets in white light and then reveals the infinite colors that make it up. I like the idea of ​​a filter that analyzes all possible facets of existence. After all, we men are like this».