Sentimental songs from Arctic Circle. While i Nuclear Tactical Penguins they prepare to return with IcelandCesare Cremonini bursts into the rankings tomorrow with Alaska babyan album conceived on the road as proven by the dusty images of the docufilm shot in Antigua, California, Arizona and, it goes without saying, Alaska, available for viewing soon on Disney+. «A work that sounds like a debut album, where instinct plays the lion’s share», he assures, who in «Aurora borealis» finds the complicity of Elisa, in «San Luca» by the rediscovered Luca Carboni, and elsewhere by Meduza and Mike Garson, historic pianist of David Bowie.
«The theme of love is addressed in the album through a very painful process and tiring in which the most important temple is Ragazze facile, a song that talks about the courage to love, to take off a mask and remove people’s alibis, in a word: to take risks. The courage to love is what we have to deal with today. In Alaska there is, therefore, light.”
Two years ago, the very successful performance in Sanremo ended up promoting the summer concerts more than the album The Girl of the Future. Why?
«Today I see that album as unique, while Alaska Baby gives me the feeling of a debut album. Starting again. At the time I was coming off an important professional path (the one alongside the producer Walter Mameli, with him since the days of Lùnapop – ed.), while now I have used all my human skills to recreate a work team or create synergies with other artists. Naturally, therefore, it is clear that this record has triple, quadruple energy, in terms of communicability with the outside world. Objectively, however, I wouldn’t have expected such a big, broad and important success from a single like Ora che non hopiù te.”
In June she will be on tour again, in stadiums, almost all of which are sold out, including the Diego Armando Maradona and Napoli which await her on 24 June 2025. But how to reconcile the adrenaline of live shows with the aseptic perfection dictated by sequences and sampling?
«I think it’s worth making efforts to return, even in cumbersome and difficult to manage machines such as stadium shows, to a greater feeling even for those on stage because we are too much part of something bigger than us. I’m revolutionizing the band precisely to break this mechanism. We must free ourselves from the grip of technology to give the show more sound quality and at the same time more simplicity and human energy.”
He had already collaborated with Carboni by singing «Mare mare» together on the album «Fisico e politica», this time with San Luca you try your hand at an unreleased song.
«It will be Alaska Baby’s next single, because that piece carries within it such a truth and humanity that it becomes something special. And he made it into something immense with his legendary voice and his current life experience. Luca and Elisa are legends for me, musical divinities and I border on veneration towards them. I am grateful to them for having entered into this project and thanks to their energy it is as if they were part of the lifeblood of the record, the bones and the blood of this project, which is a very large castle created in my image and likeness. It’s an album that breaks away from the clichés of current music.”
As always, varied influences, which already in the single «Ora che non hopiù te» range from Lucio Dalla to Bruce Springsteen, from Coldplay to Antonello Venditti. Twelve songs, where you think of the Beatles and the Beach Boys.
«It is not a rational fact, but rather a cultural one. I am part of that cultural thread characterized by a hand-in-hand between artists made up of exchanges and legacies to be valorised. Then it happened that the digital world changed everything. Today only the new exists and what happened before no longer seems to matter. There are 24-25 year olds who listen to Now that I no longer have you without noticing certain references, but rather finding indie influences born precisely from listening to that stuff. In short, a generational leap with nothing in between. Perhaps, however, this means that in my DNA there is the instinctive ability to make different audiences dialogue.”
INSIGHTS
**What specific lyrical or musical elements within ”Alaska Baby” effectively bridge the gap between honoring traditional Italian songwriting and resonating with a contemporary audience?**
## Breaking Down Cesare Cremonini’s ”Alaska Baby”: A Conversation
**Introduction:**
Today, we’re diving into the heart of Cesare Cremonini’s latest album, ”Alaska Baby,” with two insightful guests:
* **Dr. Alessandro Bianchi**, a musicologist specializing in contemporary Italian music, will shed light on the album’s musical influences and stylistic choices.
* **Giacoma Russo**, a cultural critic and journalist, will explore the sociocultural context surrounding Cremonini’s work and its resonance with fans.
Our goal is to unpack this highly anticipated album, analyzing its themes, musical landscape, and impact on the Italian music scene.
### ***The Journey of “Alaska Baby”***
**Dr. Bianchi**: Could you elaborate on Cesare’s statement that “Alaska Baby” sounds like a debut album, driven by instinct? What musical choices reflect this sentiment?
**Dr. Bianchi:** Absolutely. Listening to “Alaska Baby” feels invigoratingly raw and spontaneous. The production is stripped-down compared to his recent work, focusing on live instrumentation and capturing a more organic sound. Cremonini seems to have embraced a less calculated approach, letting the emotion and natural energy of the music take center stage.
**Giacoma Russo:** I think this emphasis on rawness connects to the album’s lyrical themes. Could you expand on the “courage to love” Cesare mentions as a central motif?
**Giacoma Russo:** Cremonini isn’t afraid to delve into the complexities and vulnerability of love. “Ragazze Facili,” for instance, taps into the courage it takes to be open and honest in relationships, even amidst potential hurt. In a world often characterized by detachment and guardedness, this theme resonates deeply.
**
### ***Bridging Generations***
**Giacoma Russo**: Cesare mentions a “generational leap” in relation to his influences. How does “Alaska Baby” straddle the line between honoring musical traditions and appealing to younger audiences?
**Giacoma Russo:**
“Alaska Baby” serves as a fascinating bridge between generations. Cremonini expertly weaves in nods to classic artists like Lucio Dalla, Bruce Springsteen, and even The Beatles and Beach Boys.
Yet, these influences are subtly integrated into a contemporary soundscape. Younger listeners might not immediately recognize the specific references but will be drawn to the infectious melodies and emotionally resonant lyrics.
**
### ***The Live Experience***
**Dr. Bianchi:** Cesare expresses a desire to inject more “human energy” into his stadium shows. What challenges and opportunities does this pose for recreating the album’s intimate feel in such a large setting?
**Dr. Bianchi:** It’s a fascinating challenge. Stadium shows often rely heavily on technology and spectacle.
Cremonini’s aim to achieve a more stripped-down and organic feel will require careful consideration of the stage design, instrumentation, and overall visual presentation.
***
It will be exciting to see how he manages to navigate this balancing act, creating an experience that feels both grand and intimate.
**Conclusion:**
“Alaska Baby” marks an intriguing chapter in Cesare Cremonini’s musical journey. It’s a return to rawness and authenticity, driven by a timeless exploration of love and connection. Only time will tell how this album will solidify its place in the Italian music landscape, but its blend of timeless influences and contemporary sensibilities certainly makes it a compelling listen.
