More extra-large than ever this Sanremo branded by Carlo Conti, with 30 songs (plus the 4 of the New Proposals) that, even if the artistic director denies it, will keep us up late. "I prefer one less guest, a shortened monologue, rather than give up a song, because this is the Festival of Italian music", he defends himself, also brandishing a half threat: "I even wanted to include six more...".

This year too we listened to them all in the usual appointment dedicated to journalists at the Rai headquarters in Milan . The needle of the scale, after Amadeus, once again leans towards the more classic ballads: it will be a Sanremo where pure pop dominates, influencing and dampening even the most “evil” trappers. Rock disappears «and I'm sorry», says Conti, «because I love it very much. But rock songs didn't reach me».

Here are our report cards.

Francesco Gabbani - "Long Live Life"

We were hoping for the liveliness of Occidentali's karma, and instead we find ourselves listening to the first of an (infinite) series of ballads, and not the most original. Vote 5

Clara - "Fever"

Techno and electronic sound, tries to grab the baton from the absent Annalisa. Be careful, it's heavy. Vote 5

Willie Peyote - "Thanks But No Thanks"

The only "politician", attacks left and right: victimists, the police that beats those who go to the streets and those who have too short a memory. Vote 6

Noemi - "If you fall in love you die"

The fear of loving, of letting go, in a piece that is very classic and old school, but also refined. Among the authors Mahmood and Blanco. Rating 7.5

Lucio Corsi – “I wanted to be tough”

He has his own peculiarity as an unconventional singer-songwriter that will surely be acclaimed by critics. Not for everyone. Vote 7

Rkomi - "The Rhythm of Things"

A nice riff, drums and straight kick. But nothing new under the sun. Rating 6.5

The Kolors - "Who do you make love to"

They come out of the comfort zone of "catchphrase at all costs" thanks to Calcutta's refined touch. Vote 8

Rocco Hunt - "A Thousand Votes More"

He sings about his land, his story, that of "a child who dreams even if he has nothing". He has grown up. Vote 7

Rose Villain - "Outlaws"

Like last year, mixes melodies, urban beats and autotune. Don't change a winning team. Rating 6.5

Brunori Sas - "The Walnut Tree"

The joy of becoming a father, a baby girl who is born and makes him reborn. It overflows with love but is not sappy. Vote 8

Serena Brancale - "Soul and Heart"

It's too cold in February: this Latin-influenced piece is danced in front of a bonfire, in the summer heat, under the stars. Vote 7

Irama - "Slowly"

Another one born from a collaboration with Blanco: too "blanchized" but it is credible. Rating 7.5

Marcella Bella - "Diamond Skin"

Ninth time at Sanremo, celebrates strong women "who know what they want". The theme is certainly à la page, but the result is weak. Vote 5

Achille Lauro - "Unconscious Youth"

He abandons the light-heartedness with an underground ballad (complete with sax) that seven of them, a football team, wrote and set to music. Rating 8

Elodie - "Forgetting at 7"

Queen of urban and percussion, she sings a love drama but turbochic. Rating 8.5

Tony Effe - "Give Me a Hand"

Forget the arrogance of dissing, celebrates its Roman origins with touches of Franco Califano and Roman stornelli (you read that right). Vote 8

Massimo Ranieri - "A heart in my hands"

A hymn to love created by Tiziano Ferro and Nek. Not a bad challenge for an artist who made his first Sanremo 57 years ago. Vote 8

Sarah Toscano - "Amarcord"

The youngest of this edition, she immediately enters the minds of her (not very Fellini-esque) peers. Vote 5

Fedez - "Beat"

Therapy, fluoxetine. The end of a story with a woman to whom he gives up dreams and even money. Who will it be? Gossip aside, we like Fedez dark. Vote 7

Coma_Cose - "Little Hearts"

The title made my wrists tremble a bit and instead, with eighties keyboards in hand, they recover the dawn of their indie-pop production. Vote 8

Giorgia - "The Cure for Me"

The omnipresent Blanco returns: a song that yes, speaks of feelings, but makes Giorgia's vocal skills explode. From first(er) places. Vote 9

Olly - "Foolish Nostalgia"

A nostalgic ballad that smells of the sea and ports, like Olly's Genoa. It has come a long way. Vote 7

Simone Cristicchi - "When you're little"

A poem dedicated to an elderly mother to whom a son must repeat his name "a thousand times, because you will forget it anyway". Get your handkerchiefs ready. Rating 7.5

Emis Killa - "Demons"

The zarra quota is all his. The question is: underdog like Lazza or at the bottom of the rankings like Fred De Palma? We bet on the second. Vote 5

Joan Thiele - "Echo"

Cool but ethereal voice, pop but refined, contemporary but a little psychedelic. In a word: sophisticated. Vote 7.5

Modà - "I won't forget you"

Francesco Silvestre in purity but less Modà than usual. At least, not swooning. Vote 6.5

Gaia - "I call, you call"

Another one who aims to take Annalisa's baton. She knows a bit about laboratories and test tubes. Vote 5.5

Bresh - "The Crab's Lair"

"It's a 'drunk' song", he says. How can you blame him: he offers a slightly alienating trap songwriting, but we'll see the live. Rating 5.5

Francesca Michielin - "Mud in Paradise"

The separation from Fedez does her good, she returns to dominate the scene with studied elegance and a beautiful crescendo. Vote 7.5

Shablo feat. Guè, Joshua & Tormento - "My Word"

A “street song”, the least Sanremo of all. Because as much as you can love Sanremo, at a certain point you also want to forget where you are. Rating 8.5

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