After years of personal and artistic evolution, Aiello returns with Sentimentalthe new single in collaboration with Levante which paves the way for a new musical and human chapter.
A song that talks about goodbyes without rancor, emotional maturity and creative rebirth. He tells us about it in this long conversation.
THE INTERVIEW
Six years have passed since your debut “Ex Voto”. In this time you have experienced many feelings, even conflicting ones. How do you arrive at this new moment?
Look, in reality there has been a lot of feeling here, and a very conflicting one at that, I have to tell you. From 2019 to today I have gone through different flows: bitterness, dreams, great impulses. All. But this is a moment of beautiful, sincere feelings.
Let's talk about “Sentimental”. It's your new single but it also feels like a new beginning. Is that so?
Yes, absolutely. Sentimental for me it is the first step of a new story. I consider it the real beginning of the new album, which I'm working on and which will be released next year.
I wrote it in Rome, on the piano, even though I now live in Milan. It is the last chapter of a love story, told differently from what we usually hear: there is no anger, there is no resentment, there is no revenge. There is pain, sure, but also emotional intelligence.
Two people who say to each other: “We've done everything, but we can't do it.” They greet each other on the banks of the Tiber, cry together, wish each other good luck. It's a clean farewell, true.
The song is a duet with Levante. How did this collaboration come about?
I met her two years ago in Rome and I was struck by her humanity, her warmth. She has a form of maternal welcome that disarmed me. We hadn't had direct contact yet, but there was a human, mutual falling in love.
I don't do many collaborations – in four albums, very few – but his voice has always struck me. I played her the song and she immediately said yes. Thus a song was born that I am very happy and proud of. A balance between instinct and measure, between emotion and clarity.
In “Sentimentale” we perceive a different Aiello, lighter, but also more mature. Is it a conscious choice?
Yes, I'm glad you notice it. I believe that evolution is fundamental for those who make music. We must never stop changing, but without losing recognizability.
Those who know me find me again, but with a new approach. I found a lightness that I had lost due to personal and professional experiences.
Even musically there is freshness: it is contemporary pop, with melodies with a slightly retro flavor but always current. I like to think I'm a new Antonio. I'm not the same as yesterday — and I'm proud of it.
Have you also changed the team that works with you?
Yes, last winter I changed management. It was an important step, even tiring. I worked a lot on myself to remove some barriers and armor that I had built on myself, and which no longer represented me.
My team is very demanding: they don't let me sit on “nice” or “beautiful”. At first it was hard, then it became training. Today I feel stronger and more real, with people next to me who share the same direction.
You said that “Sentimentale” is the first chapter of a new album. Where are you at?
In fact, I've already written them all! I selected the songs I would like on the album, even if every week a new one is born and I question everything.
It is a work that moves between immediate and fresh pop and a more rarefied R'n'B soul. I like playing between these two worlds.
I listen to a lot of R'n'B, from the classics — Barry White, Stevie Wonder — to contemporaries like Frank Ocean or SZA. I'm giving myself a gift: a record that combines my pop with that sensuality and depth that I love.
In recent years the R'n'B scene in Italy has grown a lot. Do you feel part of this movement?
Yes, and I'm happy about it. For too long R'n'B has been considered “niche”. Now it finally has its space, and even the labels understand it.
On my album there will be an R'n'B that meets pop: contemporary, uncoated, with character. And I think I like it for this too.
Sanremo: will you come back?
Sanremo is in my thoughts, yes. For a year I've been telling myself that I would like to go back, but only with the right song. I have a few in my drawer that might be.
I hope I'm in time, but I haven't decided yet. For now it was important to return with a strong song and make people talk about my music, not just the character. Then we'll see: that stage remains a goal, but I want to go back and have a little more fun than before.
And live? Will we see you on stage again soon?
I hope to tour again next summer. I've been stuck for two years and I miss it. But I only want to do it with a new album, to tell a new story and then also retrace the previous chapters.
I'm not Vasco Rossi, I can't afford to do a hundred dates without a record (laughs). I'm still building. But yes, as soon as the new year comes, there will be the tour.
In closing, a personal impression: speaking to you, I perceive you as more centered. Do you recognize yourself in this?
Yes, and I thank you. I like feeling this way. Today I'm focusing more too. I have learned to look at myself honestly, and to let myself be looked at.
And thank you for your honesty, including that of musical taste — it's a good starting point, always.
THE VIDEO
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