She knew right away, "Night Animals" was the right song to return to Sanremo. Malika Ayane, 42, reinvents herself for her sixth Festival with a song written by Assemini guitarist Luca Faraone. A manifesto of freedom and self-determination with a Caribbean-funk rhythm that evokes 1970s Ornella Vanoni: sophisticated, capable of captivating the Milanese singer-songwriter with her strong musical culture. She studied cello at the Milan Conservatory, performed in the children's choir at the Teatro alla Scala. And then the Festival, with a third place in 2014, two Critics' Awards, and six albums, the last in 2021. Finally, the theater: she played Evita Perón, Grizabella in "Cats," and sang songs from the film adaptation of "Brokeback Mountain." All this between a marathon and watching a match with AC Milan, a team she's a huge fan of.

“Nocturnal Animals”: what was the genesis of this piece?

I received it and fell in love with it instantly. What can I say, it's beautiful and I can't wait for everyone to own it: I could sit here for hours, transforming into a sequencer and replicating every sound. Luca Faraone, together with Merk & Kremont, produced it masterfully. They created a sound world that sucks you in, and it sucked me in too.

How much of your own did you put into it?

The most interesting thing about approaching the lyrics—written with Edwyn Roberts and Stefano Marletta—was recognizing myself, starting with what was applicable to me, and then refining it. It was a team effort. Every listen excites me, and that almost never happens to me; I'm too careful to offer harsh criticism.

It has a very fresh sound: is it a wink to the younger generations?

"I swear, I have no intention of corrupting young minds because they're smarter than us and we can't do it to them."

What do you expect from this Sanremo?

"To have fun, above all. I've done four and a half festivals, the half-year one being 2021, the one without an audience during the Covid period. It was a very powerful experience, I hope the next one gets a point and a half."

What fascinates you about the night?

"The fact that it can contain infinitely different stories. Those who go out to play sports, those who went to a party, those who come home from work or who go there early in the morning. Then there's me, running the New York Marathon and going to sing at dawn, or having some ignorant plane to catch. I was interested in describing the multitude, the realization that we are a dot among an infinity of dots."

What kind of nocturnal animal do you feel?

"My cat: Muffler. Depending on how she feels, she either sleeps or gets in the way for no reason. She's very much me."

In the last period she has concentrated on the theatre...

"After years, it allowed me to incubate all my ideas. Sanremo was on my bucket list; I was just waiting for the right moment. Because if you're not structured, it will chew you up and spit you out: it can be ferocious."

Spoilers for the next album?

"I'm working on it: I don't know what album it will be, but I'm trying to learn every day to make it contemporary. It will be released in the fall for the theater tour that starts in November. I definitely want new songs, because the past is the key."

Is there anyone you want to surprise?

"Me. Enjoying the moment. Feeling validation only when it comes from outside is wrong; we need to get rid of it as soon as possible."

Yet in Sanremo, women struggle to reach the top spots.

My relationship with the podium is complicated, but if they guaranteed me another twenty years of success without a podium, I'd sign tomorrow. That said, I'm happy to have Arisa by my side, because with Rosalba we performed our first Sanremo Giovani, but also Levante, Ditonellapiaga, the Bambole di Pezza, and all the other artists. Finally, we won't be slowing down.

If he wins, will he go to Eurovision?

"It's difficult to answer, there are so many thorny aspects behind this whole affair. But it's important to be there, to send messages of inclusion and peace. But I won't win, there's no point in thinking about it..."

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