"21 grammi": Giuseppe Cucé goes on a soulful expedition on this profound album

Artistic inspiration can arrive from sources least expected. For Giuseppe Cucé, it was the moment he came across the myth of the human soul weighing twenty-one grams. The Italian tunesmith meticulously built his latest album around this fascinating idea, diving deep into universal emotions experienced by all of us. Designated as 21 grammi, the explorative project remains adamant in grasping the varying shades of sentiments—from heartbroken vulnerability to the exaltation of finding true love.

In the past two decades, Giuseppe has impressed crowds across the globe with his nuance in musicality. A seasoned singer-songwriter, the Sicilian has magnetized many with his ever-increasing oeuvre, with some of the earliest releases being published in the 2000s. Such consistency has thus rewarded him with a sizable, if not steadily expanding, audience of listeners and critics lauding the artist's visionary approach towards music. 21 Grammi has already found great traction since being unveiled earlier this year, as admirers have praised its well-orchestrated compositions and extensive emotional range. Listeners getting acquainted with this album can expect everything from upbeat pop-rock to intimate acoustic folk.

"È tutto così vero" ("It's all so true") opens the album on a festive note— vibrant Latin pop instrumentation is laden with colorful rhythms, matching the enthusiasm of the equally joyful vocals. A soft rock ballad, follow-up "Ventuno" ("Twenty One") encloses metaphorical lyricism, the contemplative voice crooning about the inseparability of soul and body, and the never-ending quest for spiritual freedom. "Fragile equilibrio" ("Fragile Balance") is a tune about self-reflection and fragility, set in motion by metronomic beat and melodic piano notes with synth-powered hook.

Powered by the thrum of overdriven guitars and the sweep of lush strings, "Cuore d’inverno" ("Heart of Winter") bears the signature of a cinematic soundtrack— the performer effortlessly conducts the rendition with a charming timbre. After the series of thoughtful renditions, the conclusion is enacted with a cheery performance: "Di estate non si muore" ("You don't die in summer") has a sunny temperament with its uptempo groove, creatively threading together the opposing ends of Sicilian culture; the delicious cuisine and beautiful scenery of the coastal region gets tied with menacing aspects like the mafia and violent tragedies. Its core message resonates in the refrain "Di estate non si muore mai" (“In summer you never die"), highlighting the immutable fact that life continues flourishing even amidst such jarring disparities.

Listen to 21 Grammi on Spotify and YouTube, and stay tuned with Giuseppe Cucé on his website and Instagram.