In a world full of stale glamour and superficiality, what does it mean to be a rock star? From Eurovision winners to international stardom, Måneskin seems to have an answer. Everyone believed that after winning Eurovision in 2021, they would fade back into obscurity, as another excessively edgy one-hit wonder desperately clinging to the genre’s fading glow. The Italian rock band proved them wrong as they rose to international stardom, with many fans reveling in their jagged energy and their thunderous anthems, etching indelible marks of shadowed eyes and wicked grins into their minds. Måneskin’s newest album “RUSH!” continues to remind us all that they are here to stay.
With the thumping beats of the kick drum with a striking guitar riff, singer Damiano David drags us into the sphere of Måneskin in “OWN MY MIND.” Like a fallen angel, he ensnares the listener in a constant deluge of sensual delights. Already, the album’s strokes seem to paint a very playful tone, evoking the frenzied atmosphere of moshing.
However, more serious songs can be found, veiled in the brightness of their sharp instrumentals. “GOSSIP” cheekily tears into the dying American Dream from an outsider’s standpoint. In their delightfully messy deliveries, they call out the entertainment industry and celebrity culture for the veneers and plasticity that construct their false sense of superiority. On the other hand, their Italian tracks “LA FINE” and “IL DONO DELLA VITA” give the listener a deeper insight into their lives, showing the intrusive lens and loneliness of fame. The kick drum continues its natural lively beats, but the guitar takes on a different note, the hint that the air has changed. In fervent, impassioned raps, Damiano pours the band’s frustrations, exhaustion, acceptance, and stubborn hope into some of the best works on the album.
Yet, a couple of downsides stick out. Seventeen songs is an impressive number to have on any album, but not all of their tracks are as distinct and refined. A majority of their songs maintain a consistent structure that follows similar rhythms with kick drum and guitar riffs. While enjoyable, many of them meld together into an amalgamated mush. However, there’s enough variety within the songs that stagnancy cannot be felt. The rough excitement that flows throughout this album gets your blood pumping and is certainly more than enough to overlook those flaws.
In all their raunchy fun, Måneskin delivers a dichotomy of suggestive and soulful lyrics within rough and loose party rock anthems. With a true rock ’n’ roll fashion, they continue the message of being bold and having the power to embolden others, embracing your truest selves in the fringes of a fucked up world, all while chasing the pleasures of a good time.
Featured Image from “RUSH!” – Måneskin on Spotify.
