21 grams is the supposed weight of the human soul, mythologised in popular culture. It’s also the concept that has inspired the latest album by Giuseppe Cucè.
By Graeme Smith
Cucè is Italian, and sings in his native tongue, but that hasn’t prevented him from garnering international attention for his music. It’s easy to see why. The themes on which he dwells are universal.
21 grams isn’t a lot of weight, relatively speaking, but emotionally the concept of the human soul is a lot. Cucè captures this emotional weight beautifully in 21 grammi, exploring the journey between body, soul, and truth while speaking on the ideas of vulnerability and rebirth.
If that all sounds offputtingly deep, rest assured, 21 grammi is a very accessible album. If you don’t understand Italian (I certainly don’t), you’ll get a lot from its varied arrangements.
Cucè’s vocals, for one, ooze charm and character, and he can apply them with just as much ease to a lively dance number as a slow ballad. You’ll find both styles on his new album, and plenty more besides.
Whether upbeat or reflective, a cinematic quality greets you in each of the album’s nine tracks. Things start lively in È tutto così vero, moving along with a Latin beat and plenty of sultriness.
Ventuno slows things down for a particularly vulnerable moment, setting up the soulful Dimmi cosa vuoi nicely. Fragile equilibrio proves an early highlight thanks to its triumphant, rock-infused style.
The pleading, stirring ballad La mia dea sits at the heart of the album, heralding its final run of tracks that includes the passionate Cuore, the racy Tutto quello che vuoi and the powerful Una notte infinita. The album has a groovy pop close thanks to Di estate non si muore.
Cucè recorded the album at TRP Studios in Catania, Italy, where it was also mixed. It was produced by Riccardo Samperi and features the talents of Anthony Panebianco on Hammond organ, Riccardo Samperi on guitar, Claudio Allia and Giuseppe Furnari on piano, Alberto Fidone on bass, Enzo Di Vita on drums, Gionata Colaprisca on percussion, Pat Legato on programming, percussion and keyboards, Lilla Costarelli and Teresa Raneri on backing vocals, and the TRP Studio Orchestra.
You can keep up to date with Giuseppe Cucè by following him on Instagram.
Released under TRP Vibes and distributed by EGEA Music, 21 grammi is out now, and you can listen to it below.
