On the cover of the new album, the rainbow crosses its face. Marco Mengoni concludes the “Materia” trilogy with the third album “Prisma” (released on Friday) and the play of colors is reminiscent of the decomposition of light by the solid. But this rainbow has a deeper meaning for the songwriter. And it connects to the flag that Marco waved along with the tricolor on stage at the Eurovision final about ten days ago. ‘It was the banner of total inclusivity, the banner against all discrimination. In Italy I see many things that I don’t understand because they seem anachronistic to me in 2023. It is not my desire to act against it, but the desire to understand what is happening. I believe inclusivity and minorities are an integral part of society. The forces of the majority government do not appear to be moving in the same direction as he is when it comes to LGBTQ+ rights: “It scares me a little but I am not alone as a foreign leader has said the same thing (referring to…). the Canadian Trudeau ed.). There are actions I see and thoughts I hear that make me want to shout out my ideas, even if it means receiving the negative comments that obviously came after this flag. Even if they were more positive. “I don’t like the position of the current government.”
From the general to the specific. Are you referring to Minister Rocella? “Not only that, but also the remarks by Chamber President Fontana. I’d like to understand why this approach exists.” Try to stay away from biased judgments. “I don’t like using the word ‘fascism’.” However, I disagree with what is being said. 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 be the right way for me. I see absolutism as if all these people don’t live on the streets or go to the supermarket to talk to people. How to judge Cuba from the perspective of a five star hotel? 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 I compare myself to».
What warms Mengoni isn’t just the struggles over LGBTQ+ rights. “The Damned of the Earth”, one of the album’s most musically interesting and experimental songs, moving between electronic 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 set . And in the song there is also an excerpt from a speech by Nelson Mandela. “I was inspired by the work of the anthropologist Frantz Fanon, who showed how we deal differently with different cultures. We must find other ways to welcome those fleeing places that are not peaceful and safe.”
It’s not just a social record. In fact, the Prisma is musical as well, the colors and themes changing from song to song. There is also a moment of letting go with Elodie on «Pazza Musica», who plays with the atmosphere of black music: «We are friends with her and had promised to work together for some time. With this song, in which I pour all my African American influences, we’re going against the current, we’re heading towards a summer full of Latin and Reggaeton songs.” Those used to thinking of Mengoni as a beautiful voice will be surprised as he transforms and deforms them into “I’m not that”: “I enjoyed using different perspectives.” The prism admits white light and then reveals the infinite colors that compose it. I like the idea of a filter that analyzes all possible facets of existence. After all, that’s how we men are.”