Piero Pelù
Pugili Fragili

Piero Pelù's return to his solo career is not entirely surprising.

With Litfiba on hold since “Eutopia” four years ago (a good album, perhaps a bit unfairly overlooked) and his last solo album dating back to 2008 (“Fenomeni,” a profound disappointment especially since it came after “In Faccia,” an outstanding album that brought Piero back to levels not heard in a while), this “Pugili Fragili” follows a notable participation at the Sanremo Festival with the song “Gigante” and a decent cover of “Cuore Matto,” which, needless to say, fits Pierone Nazionale like a glove.

The new partnership is with Luca Chiaravalli, now an authentic King Midas of the national pop-rock scene, who tries to dress the now fifty-eight-year-old Piero in electronics. He succeeds partially, as (as known) El Diablo's personality is quite distinctive, and it seems there were many clashes between the two. Who won? Hard to say.

The album consists of ten tracks and is divided into two strands: the first is the Pelù style, a raw and straightforward rock without too much embellishment, which even touches metal as in “Ferro Caldo” (almost Rammstein-like), “Stereo Santo” and “Canicola,” the latter already performed live a few months ago. The cover of “Cuore Matto” aligns with certain Foo Fighters tracks (“All My Life” surfaces more than once in the piece), while the collaboration with Appino in “Fossi Foco” is fun and successful.

The second strand is where Chiaravalli prevails, as evidenced by the two singles “Picnic All'Inferno” (really not well executed, and the vocal inserts by Greta Thunberg don't help, as they seem haphazardly added) and “Gigante,” a dedication to his nephew that however doesn't take off and highlights the usual issue with the lyrics, often too artificial and not very convincing. “Luna Nuda,” co-written with Francesco Sàrcina, is a disaster on all fronts, really thrown together and off-target.

Two beautiful ballads with great atmosphere, namely the title track and especially “Nata Libera,” a raw and successful depiction of a violent relationship from a man's perspective, lift the situation. The lyrical themes remain dear to Pelù: environment, violence against women, rock star life. Nothing new, and unfortunately, there aren't significant improvements on the horizon, with lyrics often too simplistic and hastily done.

In conclusion, an adequate album for Pelù, which will please those who have loved him so far and will continue not to appeal to those who have stopped appreciating him.

Best track: Fossi Foco