Ex-Otago
Corochinato

"Corochinato" is a very important album for Ex-Otago.

It is their sixth studio work, sure, but above all, it has the unpleasant task of following up on "Marassi," which greatly expanded the fanbase of the Genoese band. The group led by Maurizio Carucci opts to play it safe, more or less confirming the more (indie?) pop orientation of the previous album, definitively moving away from the "experiments" between India and charango of "In Capo Al Mondo" (released five years ago). And the new desire to cement the band's connection to its roots is well explained by the title: Corochinato is indeed a particular aperitif served in the little bars of the historic center of Genoa.

Confirming the choice is the first single "Tutto Bene," the most upbeat and danceable track of the album, balancing out the other two singles "Questa Notte," a very classic ballad in its construction, and "Solo Una Canzone," a song presented at Sanremo. This dualism continues throughout the album, between more modern insights ("Bambini," "La Notte Chiama," and "Torniamo A Casa"—the latter taking advantage of the recent wave akin to Imagine Dragons) and more classic tracks related to Italian tradition in construction ("Forse È Vero Il Contrario," "Le Macchine Che Passano").

Carucci's voice blends well with very light, sunny arrangements that never overdo it and are never intrusive, but caress like a light gentle breeze. It is perhaps this lack of grit that slightly penalizes Ex-Otago's offering, but at the same time, it has become such a distinctive feature of the Ligurian band's sound that it's hard to imagine something different.

A good album, confirming the qualities seen in "Marassi." Ex-Otago, at least for now, do not dare. We will see if they will in the future.

Best track: Questa Notte