Newpoli’s latest album, Nun te Vutà, which was released May 29 from Beartones Records. is a confident album filled with the band’s signature Southern Italian sound. It links the emotions of the past with the promise of the present and future through music. The band puts out fiery and captivating tracks about tales of generations of emigrants looking for a better life in a new, exciting foreign country with an avid sense of optimism. The band is made up of guitarist and mandola player Björn Wennås, lead and background vocalist Angela Rossi, lead and background vocalist/castanets player Carmen Marsico, Roberto Cassan on the accordion, Fabio Pirozzolo on the tamburo a cornice (frame drum) and the Dounbek (another drum,) Karen Burciaga on the violin, Lira (chordophone) and Renaissance Guitar (lute) and Sean Farias on the electric and acoustic bass. In addition, there are several special guest musicians on the album such as Jussi Reijonen playing the Oud, a pear-shaped stringed instrument commonly used in Middle-Eastern music on tracks 3 and 11, violinist Beth Babia Cohen on track 8 and Pasquale Iocola as a background vocalist on track 12.
“Bazaar,” the second track on the album begins with Pirozzolo pounding away on the tamburo a cornice or frame drum. According to the band, “it’s a song of the new world, not the old and in that the excitement of new, unfamiliar surroundings and the possibility of a great future in a country that’s still young and full of hope.” The guitar work from Wennås accompanied by Marisco’s fervent castanet work makes for a very playful and danceable track.
The album’s seventh track, “Pizzica De Li Desideri,” has resounding vocals and playful guitar play from Wennås in its intro. Its lyrics, according to the band, aim to rid listeners of their feelings of longing and loneliness and replace them with a song that invokes the liberty of dancing, a universal activity that can brighten anyone’s darkest mood.
“Sciure D’arance,” is the album’s third track and its lyrics came about when vocalist Marsico read an old poem about Southern Italy written by poet Raffaele Ragione, who like Marsico, had emigrated. Special guest musician Jussei Reijonen plays the oud, a a pear-shaped stringed instrument commonly used in Middle Eastern music, with a slow, thoughtful tone in the track’s intro. In addition, the commanding vocals by Marsico evokes the power of freedom that she’s trying to convey through music.
The 11th track on the album, “Fronni D’alla,” has an ominous intro that segues into a buoyant rhythm. The vocals sound optimistic and enthusiastic and Wennås’ guitar also adds pep to the track.
“Pizzica,” the eighth track on the album, has jaunty percussion work from Marsico making it very danceable. Its pace makes it a track that a perfect on to play at a wedding reception. Wennås’ guitar brings even more zest and special guest musician Beth Babia Cohen’s violin work adds a classical quality to the track.
In conclusion, Nun te Vutà from Newpoli is a positive album that will make listeners stand up and believe they can accomplish anything they put their minds to.