Damiano David's solo venture: Can he revive rock 'n' roll?

Let's return to 2021. Saying that Måneskin won Eurovision easily would be an overstatement, as the competition was quite strong that year. Barbara Pravi from France impressed with her moving ballad "Voilà." The Ukrainian band GO-A showcased a contemporary interpretation of folk music incorporating electronic and traditional elements. From Iceland, the group Gagnamagnið (Daði Freyr) presented their futuristic song "10 Years."

Although the triumph of Måneskin was not guaranteed, the Italians captured the hearts of fans as soon as the results of the national selection for Eurovision were announced. Their rock 'n’ roll song "Zitti e buoni" quickly climbed the charts of the most-listened-to songs. Why? There are several reasons. They revitalized a genre barely alive in the mainstream; they were striking, bold, confident, almost cheeky, and astonishingly theatrical. Plus, they sang in Italian.

Let's be honest: Italian is romantic—and has been romanticized. Perhaps it's social media or the age-old dreams of la dolce vita. What sounds good in English often sounds even better in Italian. Authenticity also worked in Måneskin's favour: they were not just original. They were genuinely themselves.

I suspect that none of the four members of Måneskin—Damiano David, bassist Victoria De Angelis, guitarist Thomas Raggi, and drummer Ethan Torchio—were prepared for such overwhelming popularity. The band went on tour immediately after winning Eurovision, despite the pandemic, and performed almost nonstop for four years.

The single "I Wanna Be Your Slave" from the band's second album "Teatro d’ira: Vol. I" quickly became a global hit and impacted TikTok. This perhaps prompted a shift in the band's aesthetic, with their next album, "Rush!", being almost entirely in English, catering to a more universal, arguably basic, audience.

Måneskin's music remains enjoyable, but those who were initially captivated by them due to tracks like the ballad VENT'ANNI, "Torna a casa," or the aggressive "IN NOME DEL PADRE," may have experienced a sense of disappointment, or perhaps even felt let down. The vibe hasn't quite disappeared but now plays a secondary role. At Cool Kids concerts, they were still loud, rebellious, and provocative, but... they had not only won Eurovision this way. Still, they had also burst into showbiz and the forefront of popular music.

Recently, rumours have circulated online suggesting that Måneskin has broken up. Officially, however, the Italians are simply on a break. This is not only logical but also understandable. They deserve a rest: touring worldwide multiple times in four years is a significant physical challenge, and fluctuating numbers on social media and streaming platforms can take a mental toll.

Victoria has started a DJ career and announced a tour, while Damiano David has released two tracks, hinting at a solo album. Måneskin's formal end hasn’t been declared, but a sense of tension lingers, leaving the question of 'to be or not to be' in the air. Vague comments in interviews aren't fooling fans: there are no specific plans for the future.

Instead of a rock ‘n’ roll rollercoaster and a fourth album from the Rome-based band, Damiano has revealed another side. Calm. Ballad-like. Pop, and therefore controversial. "Silverlines" I can still defend: it feels epic, due largely to Labrinth and his distinctive influence, redefining the song as belonging to the "soundtrack" category. The song has its moments—especially the harmonies and vocal lifts—but Damiano ended up as a guest on his song, which I find rather disheartening.

The second song by the Italian, "Born With a Broken Heart," is a complete departure. Pure, radio pop, polished and neat, with soft pastel tones. Light chatter, my friend; I know there’s nothing worse than clinging to artists exactly as they were initially or in the beginning. It's off-putting.

Objectively, I can't detach myself from such inclinations, but I know that light, easy, and pleasant music can be good. It can be cool. Unfortunately, "Born With a Broken Heart" doesn't excite me, nor does it particularly chill me, though I won't turn it off. You can argue that the voice is pleasant, the bridge delightful, and after all, what kind of person can both strain his voice and smash microphones, then slip into a suit and dance to the vibe of old Hollywood?

For now, I'm not convinced, but Damiano David still has time. Perhaps this first solo album is meant for him and only for him.