He’s Italy’s breakout star of 2019. And following his victory at Sanremo earlier this year, Mahmood made sure to strike while the iron was still hot and dropped his debut album Gioventù Bruciata. Naturally, we’ve been focusing on his Eurovision entry, “Soldi”, over recent weeks. But, we thought it was finally time to take a listen to the rest of the LP and discover what other musical treats the Italian singer has for us.
The record was originally released as an EP in September 2018, with a total of seven tracks making the cut. But after February’s release that rose to eleven, following the addition of Eurovision song “Soldi”, “Il Nilo nel Naviglio”, “Remo”, and a special version of “Soldi” featuring Guè Pequeno.
Of course, “Soldi” has gone on to become a massive hit. Certified double platinum in Italy, the track even reached the Spotify Top 200 Global charts.
Speaking of global appeal, Mahmood has also cracked the top 25 of the charts in Switzerland with his Sanremo winning track, gaining gold certification in the process. The full album also hit the top 50 in Switzerland, after peaking at number one in the star’s home country.
Gioventù Bruciata – Contemporary Yet Unique
Mahmood shows a number of different sides to himself on this record. From his Eurovision entry “Soldi”, to softer sounds like “Il Nilo nel Naviglio”, there’s a lot of variety to be found here.
There are also elements of electropop in the mix, as can be heard in “Anni 90”.
Overall, the record plays with contrasts while still being able to put it all in a defined box. The Italian singer plays with sounds and instrumentation while keeping the whole project very cohesive.
Album Overview
“Soldi” is the opening track of the album. Given that it’s the song we all know (and keep on replay), it’s a wise decision and helps make people stick around.
The title track, “Gioventù Bruciata” (translated as “Wasted Youth”), is a bit slower than the opener. With lyrics including “if farewells were fashionable you would be number one on trending”, it becomes clear that Mahmood is singing about a specific person in life.
“Uramaki” is more uptempo than its predecessor and comes with great production. The Italian star takes a more laid back approach on “Il Nilo nel Naviglio”, before “Anni 90” (featuring Fabri Fibra) subsequently goes in the complete opposite direction.
On “Remo”, the Sanremo winner sings about that moment in a relationship where it’s too late to fix all that has gone wrong. Meanwhile, “Milano Good Vibes” brings tropical elements onto the record.
What do you think about Mahmood’s project? Do you think he’s heading for a global career? And what are your personal favourites on this album? Sound off in the the comments section below!
Gotta love the Rayquaza realness in the cover.
Hes song is ceap, and he looks sioo Boeing. Not The winner of ESC
That Boeing is taking flight, HONEEEEEEEEEEEEEY!!!
He is sex on legs
Type of guy you could have some real sleazy fun with
A true rising star! No matter who wins in May, he will be remembered for years to come and will be a true success. Follow my writings at http://www.impossiblybizarre.com
Yes I will shamelessly plug myself cause I am an aspiring writer and would love any and all support
it’s contemporary r&b rather than ‘art pop’ but i agree issa fantastic album, even tho i cannot relate to the lyrics at all i love how they’re all about his life experiences as a young man. i even bought the cd.
“But after February’s release that rose to eleven, following the addition of Eurovision song “Soldi”, “Il Nilo nel Naviglio”, “Remo”, and a special version of “Soldi” featuring Guè Pequeno.”
I think Soldi was already on the original EP and one of the added tracks to the album is ‘Sabbie Mobili’
No, Soldi was finished after he had won Sanremo Giovani. He told this fact in a lot of interview, saying that after winning the newcomer’s selection he hadn’t already a song to show on the big stage of february.
No, Soldi wasn’t in the digital Ep released in autumn because the songs that are sung in Sanremo have to be totally new and unpublished. What we know is that Soldi existed in december because, in an interview, mahmood said he thought to go to sanremo young with the song Soldi and to Sanremo big, in case of the winning of sanremo young, with yge song Gioventù bruciata.
But the musician and co author of Soldi, the big artist Dardust, convinced him to do the opposite.
EDIT: The original EP released in September 2018 had just five tracks. The first reprint added ‘Gioventù Bruciata’ and the second reprint added ‘Soldi’ The full album added five tracks to make it eleven.
Good Vibes and Uramaki: enjoy Mahmood’s world !
https://youtu.be/GfUyQ1f7bds
Good vibes
https://youtu.be/M_SHQeleiIA
Uramaki
The album is beautiful, I’ve been streaming it with Il Volo’s new album on a loop for the past couple of weeks.
Live Asia occidente mahmood
https://youtu.be/-w5pbp3d-yQ
Mahmood si incredible, this version is amazing he slays. Thx for this video. Go Mahmood.
🙂
As you like Mahmood, I put the links also to some other songs mahmood sang in another live, il Nilo nel Naviglio and Dimentica, and again Asia Occidente in this live , only piano e voce
https://youtu.be/I0GbfjV8hdc
Il nilo nel naviglio mahmood live radio2
https://youtu.be/Hv6-f4XkVbE
Mahmood Dimentica versione live
https://youtu.be/UIRPncOsMEE
Live radio2 asia occidente mahmood solo piano e voce
Bye!
Please listen to the song ” Asia occidente” of the album Gioventù bruciata, Mahmood singing live and you’ll understand who is Mahmood ?. Always personal stories, here the end of a love. The link: https://youtu.be/-w5pbp3d-yQ Live asia occidente – Mahmood Lyrics in english Asia/West Seeing you from the balcony hurts so bad, I know But bear in mind that I never swore I’ll be back someday You have the bad habit of talking us down, me down You said you’d rather have had iced Campari for tea Rescue me from fashion, trends are gonna change From the bitterness of life… Read more »
The album “Gioventù bruciata” of Mahmood s really a masterpiece… it’s so original and refined and songs are all amazing, either for the music and the lyrics, and mahmood always tells about his personal life, his style is so unique… As best songs, good vibes, asia occidente, remo, mai figlio unico, il nilo nel naviglio, uramaki… but all the songs are so amazing that you can’t stop listening the album: definitely, Mahmood is addicting. I suggest you also a song not in this album, Dimentica. Yes, I think Mahmood can have a global career, he can sing also international hits… Read more »
This guy is for the culture! He has been my biggest inspiration for the last two months, he can do no wrong <3 His whole discography is a vibe, and his music videos are piece of art. Ugh I just love him and the fact that he's gay makes me so happy YAAAS lol <3 Mahmood better win this whole thing or i'm done with Eurovision
I LOVE Uramaki, Milano Good Vibes, Asia Occidente and Gioventu Bruciata (I thought it was boring at first tbh but now I play it on repeat everyday XD).
I also LOVE Dimentica(it makes me emotional) and Pesos(such a bop).
Mahmood is definitely my new favorite artist :)))
This is the very first time I listen to an album made by a Sanremo’s contestant (I can’t stand Il Volo and, in general, our traditional dated-cliché-italian songs); I loved any single track, especially his smart lyrics. Frank Ocean influence is strong here.
Every single song of Mahmood is amazing 😀
Thanks to Sanremo and Eurovision to brought us such a gem !
Cannot stand his voice, super nasal with low range which makes all sound quite monotonic.
“Low range”, you clearly never listened to any other song aside from soldi.
X-factor reborn!
Ooh thanks for the review! To be honest, there’s not a single track in his album that I dislike, which is quite surprising since I’ve never listened to this kind of music (I’m an ex metalhead) and I’m quite new to his genre. I might be in the minority that really really loves Pesos. I have it on repeat since February… Uramaki, Remo and Asia Occidente are other favourites, while I hope he releases Sabbie Mobili for the summer. I don’t think he’ll win Eurovision nor that he’s heading for a ‘global career’, to answer your question, but I hope… Read more »
I love this album so much! Uramaki, Milano Good Vibes and of course Asia Occidente are my faves. SLAY ME!
Very well written article as well.