Damiano David's reinvention: From rock rebel to solo pop star

Let's revisit 2021. That Måneskin won Eurovision outright might be an overstatement because the competition was strong that year. Barbara Pravi from France had a moving ballad, "Voilà." The Ukrainian band GO-A delivered a modern interpretation of folk music with electronic elements, and the Icelandic group Gagnamagnið (Daði Freyr) presented the futuristic number "10 Years."

Although Måneskin's triumph wasn’t a foregone conclusion, the Italians won the hearts of fans when the national eliminations for Eurovision were announced. Their rock 'n' roll single "Zitti e buoni" quickly climbed the charts of the most-listened-to songs. Why? Several reasons: they revitalized a genre barely surviving in the mainstream, exuded beauty and edginess, displayed confidence and audacity, and showed surprising stage savvy. Plus, they sang in Italian.

Let’s be honest: Italian is romantic and romanticized. Whether it’s because of social media or long-standing dreams of la dolce vita, what sounds good in English can sound even better in Italian. Måneskin also capitalized on authenticity: they weren't just original; they were 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 enormous popularity. The band went on tour immediately after winning Eurovision—pandemic notwithstanding—and performed nonstop for nearly 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, making a strong impact on TikTok. This might have influenced the change in the band's aesthetic, as their next album, "Rush!", is practically entirely in English, seemingly tailored for a more universal, perhaps more mainstream, audience.

Måneskin's music is still fun, but those who were initially captivated by songs like "VENT'ANNI," "Torna a casa," or the aggressive "IN NOMRE DEL PADRE," might feel disappointed, perhaps even let down. While not entirely gone, the vibe started to play a secondary role. At the Cool Kids concerts, they remained loud, defiant, and provocative. Not only did they win Eurovision like that, but they also charged into the upper echelons of showbiz and popular music.

Recently, rumors have surfaced online that Måneskin has broken up. Officially, the Italians are merely taking a break. This is not only logical but understandable. They've earned a rest: traveling worldwide for four years multiple times is a demanding challenge for the body, while the fluctuating numbers on social media and streaming can take a toll on the mind.

Victoria has ventured into a DJ career and announced a tour, while Damiano David released two tracks, hinting at a solo album. Måneskin's end hasn't formally happened, but there’s a palpable tension in the air, resting on the question "to be or not to be." Vague statements in interviews won't fool the fans: there's no clear declaration about the future.

Instead of a rock 'n' roll journey and a fourth album from the Rome-based band, Damiano has unveiled a different side. Calm, balladic, controversial pop. "Silverlines" I can defend: it feels epic, probably due to Labrinth's influence and his distinct style, recrafting the track into the "soundtrack" category. The song has standout moments—especially the choruses and vocal crescendos—but Damiano feels like a guest on his song, which I find rather sad.

Damiano’s second song, "Born With a Broken Heart," is a straightforward pop piece, polished and neat, in pastel colors. Yes, the term "old geezer" comes to mind; there's nothing worse than clinging to artists as they once were or at the start of their careers. Ew.

Objectively, I can't entirely shake off such biases, but I do know that easy, light, and pleasant music can be good. It can be cool. Unfortunately, "Born With a Broken Heart" doesn't evoke much warmth—or chill, for that matter. I won’t skip it, though. It does make one wonder: the voice is pleasant, the bridge is charming, and it's intriguing how one person can both strain his throat and break microphones, then put on a suit and dance with an old Hollywood vibe.

I'm not a fan right now, but Damiano David still has time. Maybe this first solo album is meant just for him, and only for him.