Giuseppe Cucè shares latest LP ’21 grammi’

Born in Catania in Sicily, Giuseppe Cucè has always been an artist guided by emotion, a storyteller who translates feeling into engaging musical moments. Before finding his voice as a singer-songwriter, he painted his thoughts onto canvas and explored the physical expression of contemporary dance but it was through music that he discovered the purest reflection of self, a space where his reflective writing and poetic vision could coexist.

Today, he stands as one of Sicily’s most compelling musical voices, bringing the textures of soul, sound and spirit into a cinematic form of creative expression. Over the years, Giuseppe has built an artistic world shaped by collaboration and curiosity in equal measure. Working closely with artistic producer Riccardo Samperi as well as longtime collaborators Francesco Bazzano, Antonio Masto, Edoardo Musumeci and Alessandro Longo, he’s crafted a sound that blurs the line between the sacred and the sensual.

His debut album La Mela e il Serpente (The Apple and the Snake), released through TRP Music and Parisian label EDINA Music, offered the first showcase of his unique sound via a blend of saudade-infused melancholy and honest lyrical writing. Its release led him to the stages of Parisian theatres like Le Trianon, L’Alhambra and Le Petit Saint Martin, expanding his growing presence beyond his homeland. He followed that with Attraversando Saturno in 2017, an album that deepened his exploration of identity and transformation.

Now, he returns with his latest full-length record titled 21 grammi, released via TRP Vibes and distributed by EGEA Music, it’s a project that sees Giuseppe and Riccardo Samperi constructing an intimate, reflective and richly textured sonic experience. The concept of 21 grammi is built around an enduring legend that at the moment of death, the body loses twenty-one grams, said to be the weight of the soul. That idea becomes a vessel for exploring life itself and across nine tracks, he distils themes of love, memory, desire and fragility. “Within those twenty-one grams there is everything: what we have loved, what we have lost, and what still keeps us alive,” he reflects.

Setting up the record with “È tutto così vero,” the bright interplay between intricate acoustic guitar, lively flute flourishes and airy trumpet lines combine to form a playful sound as Giuseppe’s alluring voice glides in to stitch smooth melodic leads into the musical fabric. As the arrangement launches with shuffling groove, a latin pop scene flows with memorable melodic leads and colourful instrumentation.

“Ventuno” follows as the album’s conceptual centrepiece, opening with suspended tones that hover between body and spirit, casting a dreamy soundscape as Giuseppe’s hushed voice enters to gently glide above. Brimming with emotion and wrapped in an intimate aesthetic, the song rolls with laid back lilting sway as the soft patter of drums, hazy twang of guitar notes, elegant piano and echo of soulful organ engage in a balletic dance to deliver a dazzling piece of truly timeless music.

With “Dimmi cosa vuoi,” Giuseppe’s graceful vocals float above soothing instrumental tones to deliver an affecting moment that jumps with the rustle of drums and layered vocal harmonies, taking on a soft rock vibe to offer a listening experience that’s subtly energising and wholly absorbing. Other highlights on the release include songs like “Fragile equilibrio” which captures a bittersweet context through its bouncy percussion, stunning vocal performance and piano-led backing that swells with guitars and the pulse of synth.

“Cuore d’inverno” brings a delightful fusion of tender instrumentation and heartfelt vocals, expanding with the crunch of rock energy to serve up a spectacular showcase of Giuseppe’s songwriting flair and performance talent. Closing the album with “Di estate non si muore,” the atmosheric sound of tapping drums and pulsing bass notes surges into a disco-inflected jam that lays down an infectious pop finale to conclude Giuseppe Cucè’s incredible new concept LP with an unforgettable, grooving moment.

Listen to 21 grammi below

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