Raf
Sogni... è tutto quello che c'è

Raf (real name Raffaele Riefoli), after conquering Sanremo in 1989 with "Cosa Resterà Degli Anni '80", and the Festivalbar with "Ti Pretendo", presents this fantastic album in 1991, probably the best of his career. The tracklist doesn't feature even a single underwhelming song; almost the entire album is pervaded by a sad and melancholic aura. All the songs are structured differently from each other, and this contributes to making the album a true masterpiece.

The album begins with a 10-second prelude that delivers the simple yet effective words "Sogni... è tutto quello che c'è...", then it continues with "Interminatamente", the first single released that immediately captures the hit parade. The track is complex, full of pathos, one of the best of his entire production. "Siamo Soli Nell'Immenso Vuoto Che C'è", another single released, is a rock/pop in pure late '80s style. Melancholic, powerful, it sweeps the listener off their feet and doesn't let go until the end. But the best is yet to come, and here is "Oggi Un Dio Non Ho", a poignant ballad that impressed the Sanremo audience at the time. Perhaps the best track on the album. Three singles, three completely different songs from each other. "Se Ti Senti Sola" is another very beautiful track, a little more lighthearted than the previous ones, which probably doesn't stand out much because of the preceding songs. A hint of melancholy returns with the Raf/Ramazzotti duet of "Anche Tu", a truly special acoustic song. "Amarsi O Non Amarsi" is very pop, synthesized just right. "Senza Respiro" is, in a way, the "heavyweight" of the album. Slow, melancholic, poignant, pompous. The banana peel of the album comes now, with the very lighthearted "È Meglio Così". A track that probably could have been avoided, undoubtedly the worst on the record, made special only by the harmonica played by Raf himself. Another strong piece is "Maliverno", a very unique electronic pop. Beautiful lyrics, icy atmosphere, one of the best-executed tracks. It closes with the acoustic track "Sogni", not too demanding, that calms the spirits and takes us back to the beginning, ending exactly the way the prelude started.

An excellent album from one of the few Italian artists who has always managed to stay on top, releasing beautiful albums. Not bad, for someone who initially sang little disco songs in English.