Dear listeners and readers of Soundville, today we’ll talk about the conceptual and intriguing album ‘21 grammi’ by Giuseppe Cucè. His new record stands apart from his first two thanks to its maturity and a strong conceptual core built into its foundation – the fusion of body, spirit, poetry, and sound. You know, ‘21 grammi’ feels like a novel. Eleven tracks flow seamlessly into one another, unfolding the concept from different angles. As Giuseppe Cucè himself says, the album seeks to reveal the human soul without embellishment or distortion, raw, vulnerable, fragile, and exposed before the crowd. Even the title ‘21 grammi’ carries a deep, almost philosophical meaning.

The foundation of the ‘21 grammi’ concept is the legend of the 21 grams – the weight the body is said to lose at the moment of death, believed to represent the weight of the soul. This idea gave rise to an entire cloud of myths suggesting that the soul leaves the body and begins a new chapter of existence. What happens next varies according to one’s faith, imagery, and perception of life and death. Giuseppe Cucè, however, explores this idea from a completely unexpected perspective.

Building on the idea of the soul’s weight, Giuseppe Cucè steps into a space of reflection, asking “what exactly makes up those 21 grams.” I’d call it a journey backward, something akin to the phrase “your whole life flashes before your eyes.” Love and memories. Joy and disappointment. Emotional emptiness. Hope. Faith. These are the components that make up our lives and shape the human soul. Yes, these feelings are intangible, they define who we are, and every step of that evolution is mirrored across the album’s 10 tracks.

This concept in ‘21 grammi’ is supported by lyrics that are both evocative and metaphorical, while the active involvement of Riccardo Samperi, Pietro Caramelli, and Claudio Giussani in production and mastering brought the sound to perfection. Giuseppe Cucè sings about all humanity as a whole, telling what makes each person unique regardless of nationality, faith, or birthplace. It’s striking how Cucè chose an interesting, complex, and unusual version of unity in his work! I love the movement of energy, rhythm, and mood in ‘21 grammi,’ and I suggest you put everything aside right now and embark on an incredible adventure with me through the most vivid tracks of the album ‘21 grammi.’

The album opens with the track ‘È tutto così vero.’ And if you thought, based on the concept, that’21 grammi’ would be sad and melancholic? Oh, it shatters that expectation with a bright and flawless Latin rhythm. Flute, trumpet, crisp percussion, and the gripping vocals of Giuseppe Cucè immediately push you into the most passionate and amazing mood. You want to jump up, push your keyboard aside, let your hair down, and just dance salsa, like those evenings with guest musicians and a hot, passionate night to Latin rhythms. An incredibly cozy and grounded track!

Then, like a cool, soothing breeze, the track ‘Ventuno’ calms the racing blood. A gentle ballad with indie rock elements and Cucè’s dreamy vocals creates an atmosphere of reflection and contemplation. ‘Ventuno’ stands as the emotional core of the album, its heart and soul. I love how here Cucè opens his heart to the listener. This song feels so personal, as if he’s singing just for you and me, sharing everything that’s in his soul. Flawless! The track ‘Fragile equilibrio’ begins with a more joyful mood, a sense of hope and playfulness. I’m thrilled by the keyboard and drum parts that create an incredibly groovy rhythm. Meanwhile, Giuseppe Cucè sings in a relaxed manner, slightly softer and calmer than the arrangement.

I must confess that ‘Cuore d’inverno’ is my favorite track on the album. Gentle strings open the song, while the complex, vivid drum rhythm instantly draws you in. Turn it up, close your eyes, and maybe you’ll feel that same mood of completion and quiet faith in a brighter tomorrow. It’s conveyed in the remarkable vocals and the evolving texture of the song. It brings to mind the meaning of the Death card in Tarot which actually stands for the ending of one stage and the dawn of another, not something grim or sinister. For me, Cuore d’inverno possesses the atmosphere of that very darkest second before a stunning dawn, before a new day with new achievements. I’d like to highlight the track ‘Tutto quello che vuoi’ for its stunning violin parts and the beautiful lead vocal line supported by female backing vocals. It’s a technically complex piece that Giuseppe Cucè infused with a sense of love and joy, that carefree kind of happiness when everything feels warm and the soul rests in the embrace of love and safety.

The album closes with the stunning track ‘Di estate non si muore’ and the Latin version of the first track “El mundo es verdadero”. In ‘Di estate non si muore,’ I was immediately struck by its shimmering Italian passion and grooving rhythm. I also sensed a touch of mystique and intrigue in its melody. Ending the release with this piece feels like Giuseppe Cucè opens a new space for sound itself,  a space without limits or end. Wow, that was flawless. You’ll definitely enjoy this cozy sound filled with a touch of Italian sunshine, endless inspiration, and the soul of Giuseppe Cucè. I’m sure of it! Meanwhile, ‘El mundo es verdadero’ serves as an emotional continuation of ‘Di estate non si muore’ and loops the album’s story. The vibrant arrangement ignites a playful mood, complementing the album’s finale with a swinging Latin sound.

Make sure to add your favorite tracks to your playlists and follow Giuseppe Cucè so you don’t miss more of this amazing music! Yeah!

Hey Giuseppe Cucè! Thank you for releasing such great music. You know, when I listened to your album, I was amazed with every track! Such different melodies, moods, and stories come together in the album ‘21 grammi.’ It creates an interesting portrait of the life that surrounds us. I admit, I even thought that the bonus track not included in the main release could be the equivalent of reflections, decisions that were considered but ultimately a different choice was made. You know, that feeling when one question “what should I do?” unravels into a chain of choices, and only one is truly taken? That’s the beauty of ‘21 grammi’. There’s so much love for music here, so much strength and inspiration flowing through every track. And I deeply value that, I can feel it when I listen to your songs! I’ll definitely share the album with everyone so they can enjoy this warm and cozy sound too. I love it, and I’m your fan!

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With much love,
Soundville