Scarlett Mullender
Released on January 20th, ‘Rush!’ demonstrates Måneskin’s newfound confidence as a known presence in the rock and roll scene. Having opened the pandora’s box of experimentation, it boasts a labyrinth of genres, exceeding what was previously thought possible regarding the group’s creativity.
THE BAND
2021’s Eurovision Song Contest was arguably the most unforgettable in the competition’s recent years. Whether it was the surprise resurgence of US hip-hop veteran Flo Rida, Iceland requesting their votes go to ‘Ja Ja Ding Dong’ (the country’s fictional entry in the 2020 Netflix film: ‘Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of the Fire Saga’) or the UK’s ghastly nil point score, Rotterdam ensured viewers would be subject to a plethora of indelible moments.
But one moment reigned supreme over these pockets of absurdity; Italian quartet Måneskin were crowned the overall winners, marking the country’s first win since 1991. It was the catalyst for the band’s international stardom beyond their hometown of Rome, with millions being sucked into a mesmerising musical realm of hard-hitting rock, infused with European charm.
The band, composed of singer Damiano David, bassist Victoria De Angelis, guitarist Thomas Raggi and drummer Ethan Torchio, appeared to catapult into success overnight. Now 20 months on, the Italian youngsters have cultivated the myriad emotions they experienced across a pivotal time of their lives into their genre-breaking thrill ride of an album: ‘Rush!’
THE ALBUM
‘Rush!’ features songs that reflect the new, foreign experiences that post-Eurovision life has offered the group. They touch candidly on the themes of alienation and uncertainty that they have had to adjust to as they reached a new threshold of fame on American soil. ‘Rush!’
“It’s been a very crazy year for us and we’ve had a lot of opportunities”
In De Angelis’ own words, “it’s been a very crazy year for us and we’ve had a lot of opportunities.” Off the back of Eurovision, they’ve taken home ten prolific music awards and have been nominated for a further twenty-five. ‘Rush!’ presents an amalgam of responses from Måneskin towards their glory, both positive and scathing.
Fans can look forward to the band’s trademark Italian dialect and contemporary rock vibe on tracks such as ‘Il Dono Della Vita’, which translates as ‘The Gift of Life’. As drummer Torchio’s favourite song on ‘Rush!’, it was initially intended for a previous album. The song’s vulnerable lyrics, which serve as an ode to life’s simple pleasures, and minor guitar chords, feel reminiscent of the band’s earlier work in their 2021 ‘Teatro d’ira – Vol. 1’ album.
This is also the case with ‘La Fine’, (‘The End’). Mirroring the existential nature of the band’s smash hit, ‘Zitti E Buoni’ (‘Shut Up and Behave’), ‘La Fine’ shows Måneskin re-visiting their award-winning roots. The track is high energy and has an almost unconscious power behind it, showcased by dominating guitar riffs and a marching bassline. These accompany lyrics which allude to the band’s concerns about the dwindling civil rights in their own country. This is a striking mantra that has a palpable impact regardless of the listener’s home country.
‘Gossip’ showcases Måneskin’s newfound camaraderie with some prolific industry figures. It’s a tongue and cheek middle finger to the Hollywood elite, collaboratively produced with American song-writing mogul Tom Morello. Standout lyrics include “This place is a circus/You just see the surface/They cover sh*t under the rug” and “Get everything you want/Just put some plastic on your face”. They encapsulate Måneskin’s comprehensive knowledge of the ominous activities which subterfuge the seemingly saintly exterior of the land of celebrity. Their wisdom has been perhaps gifted to them by the likes of Morello himself.
Other outlandish narratives explored within the album are David’s petrifying encounters with a real-life stalker. ‘Mark Chapman’ cunningly disguised a lyrical re-telling of Beatles member John Lennon’s stalker of the same name. According to David, creating the track served as a huge ‘emotional release’ after such a harrowing experience.
“I hate your face but I like your mum’s”
Pre-released album hits such as ‘Mamma Mia’, ‘Supermodel’ and ‘The Loneliest’ were all met with widespread critical acclaim. However, public morale is currently split on songs such as ‘Blah Blah Blah’ and ‘Kool Kids’ where the band appears to diverge completely from their rock origins into an edgy punk stratosphere.
Torchio’s authoritarian drumbeat coincides with spoken, nonsensical lyrics like “I hate your face but I like your mum’s” on ‘Blah Blah Blah’. The track lacks a clear bridge or chorus, causing many listeners to liken the band to other controversial artists such as Wet Leg. Some have even accused them of gentrification, as the record seems to be the antithesis of the band’s typically eloquent discography.
This sentiment was echoed with ‘Kool Kids’. David allegedly shot jaeger and beer in tandem during the song’s recording despite not ordinarily being a drinker. This perhaps explains the unique anarchistic belligerence behind its lyrics, as the artist shouts “I don’t give a f*ck/I’m addicted to rock ‘n’ roll!” over an erratic bassline. However, the band’s decision to defy the status quo and reverberate the foundations of their previous work is a valiant one. They do this as they take control of their own identity, gaining back the power that critics attempted to rob them of.
My personal favourite on the album is ‘Baby Said’. It demonstrates De Angelis’ awe-inspiring bass licks alongside Raggi’s signature guitar trills. It also explores the concept of developing a soul-like connection with someone, only to discover that they desire only physical affection. Poignantly catchy lyrics including “Baby said/When you’re talking/I go dead” also ensured the track left a lasting imprint on my conscience, and encompassed the playful, flirty connotations of the band that I adore.
‘Rush!’ can be streamed here.
Image courtesy of Caught In Joy via Unsplash. See image license here. No changes were made to this image.
