It’s seems like it’s been a hot minute since I’ve listened to a new album in full, but Maneskin’s latest is the first in the 2023 queue that’s piqued my interest. I was curious to see how Rush! was going to shake out. More English language or Italian songs? Guess you’ll have to read and find out!
Straight away I can tell you that this was a solid album from front to back. There were no real tedious listens, and they mixed it up enough throughout to keeping it interesting. Most songs followed the fats rock pace, but the switched it up with a few slower tracks along with a handful of Italian songs in the back half. Although those mainly followed the rock rhythm, they just felt different compared to the rest tempo-wise. I have to say, for seventeen songs, not having a bad one in the bunch is a huge feat! Sure, there were plenty that I’ll likely never listen to again, but it was enjoyable all the way through.
The handful that really sold me on a first listen included the opening track, “Own My Mind,” which featured a really fun bass line, solid rock riffs, and some of Damiano’s signature scratchy vocals. “Gasoline” stuck out because it presented with more of a techno-rock sound that was something unique for the record. Similarly, “Kool Kids” was just that: KOOL. It was a really fun beat with really neat vocal treatment on the verses. I really liked the line stating that “kool kids only listen to trap and pop.” Just like Maneskin, thankfully I’m not a kool kid. The final three tracks off the record were previously released singles, two of which I really liked: “Mammamia” and “Supermodel.”
As a band, Maneskin has always kind of shocked me with what they can get away with given how mainstream they are. But I’m glad the masses aren’t able to censor them. In fact, it seems like their label is all about their particular wildness and brashness. They tackle subjects like oral sex and cynicism for Hollywood on the heels of love songs! That’s ballsy! Some things they sand about were kind of hilarious. Don’t believe me? Take a listen to “Bla Bla Bla.” You’ll thank me later. Even though they are a true rock act, I don’t know if they’ll ever resonate with that community. It seems as though the pop world have got their hooks in and they may never let go. At least they feel to me like they will stick to their rock roots as their career moves along.
Like most records, I don’t like every single song, but almost all of these were intriguing in some way. I was surprised at how taken I was with the Italian tracks. I know the band is Italian, but they went almost two thirds of the way through before introducing a song in their native tongue. A part of me thinks they shouldn’t have bothered, but kudos to them for honoring where they came from and ultimately what helped to get them here in the first place. I recommend “Mark Chapman” from that trio. Overall though, a really strong record. Who knows, maybe I’ll catch them at a festival someday.