An undisputed predominance of singer-songwriter ballads, intimate and romantic, but this year rap is also making its way, with a sprinkling of inevitable aspiring summer hits, dance tracks and a touch of (not very aggressive) rock.
This year too, we previewed the thirty songs by the Big artists competing at Sanremo 2026. Here are our grades, in the strict order proposed by artistic director Carlo Conti.
Tommaso Paradiso – THE ROMANTICS
The first in a long series of ballads with (intercom) dedication to Anna, his first daughter, born just nine months ago, in true Paradiso style. He makes a promise to the little girl: "I won't do what my cold father did; I'll always give you a kiss before I leave."
RATING 7.5
Malika Ayane – NOCTURNAL ANIMALS
He said it: this is a song that could have been written in any era. And indeed, it's a samba that already feels like an evergreen, an adrenaline rush that "ignores the word 'end.'" The rhythm is overwhelming, an international upbeat that bears the signature of Assemini guitarist Luca Faraone.
VOTE 8
Sayf – I LIKE YOU SO MUCH
The ambition is lofty: to champion a generational malaise, incorporating references to current events—climate change, "the street fights"—the history of Italian music—Luigi Tenco's death at the Sanremo Music Festival—and great singer-songwriters like Rino Gaetano. It's a shame it's a hodgepodge, and everything remains superficial.
VOTE 5
Patty Pravo – OPERA
"In vanity I am a muse," sings the Divine in this ballad which, let's be clear, isn't meant to celebrate herself, but rather the uniqueness of each of us. A bit dated and rigid in style, but the Piper girl never loses her touch.
The Interministerial Committee for Security has been convened this afternoon. Schlein: "No to blank delegations."
RATING 6.5
Luchè – LABYRINTH
Naples calls, Luchè answers. We expected something more from a pioneer of the Neapolitan rap school, but instead the song—which speaks of toxic love and mental loops—is completely innocuous. The most original verse: "You're beautiful like a lie/told to keep from crying." Flat ECG.
RATING 4.5
Mara Sattei – THINGS YOU DON'T KNOW ABOUT ME
And cotton candy and giant dreams and summer rain and stars in the sky. An autobiographical love song entirely written by her, and we appreciate the effort. But how boring.
VOTE 5
Francesco Renga – THE BEST OF ME
After two forgettable festivals, a nice relaunch: the genre is (obviously) the classic ballad, but enhanced by vocals, orchestra, and poignant lyrics. Let's just say he's experiencing a new artistic phase.
VOTE 7
Finger in the Plague – WHAT A ANNOYANCE!
Milanese fashion, a healthy lunch, a friend of a friend who shows up uninvited, a bothersome neighbor who asks to turn down the music: a long list of annoyances, but delivered with a cheeky irony. The riff hooks with a nice dance beat.
VOTE 7
Leo Gassmann – NATURAL
Fully integrated into the Sanremo structure: the verses, the chorus, the key changes. No flashes, inoffensive. Not to mention scary old-fashioned.
RATING 4.5
Sal Da Vinci – FOREVER Yes
Get your white handkerchiefs ready to wave for a sure-fire addition to the dinner show playlist. Because we'll never be free of this synth-pop promise of eternal love. And lest we be accused of snobbery, the rating is a solid pass.
VOTE 6
Levante – IT'S YOU
The process of falling in love in the usual "lunar" and unsteady style of Levante, the sole author of this piece. One of the most beautiful lines: "If I could see you with my eyes, you would weep over all my amazement." In an ideal, podium-worthy world.
VOTE 8
Thirteen Peters – Falling Man
A rap song with all the trimmings, the likes of which haven't been seen at Sanremo (in this genre) for a while. The child who went with his father Gianni Morandi to the set of Isola di Pietro has grown up; today Pietro Morandi is one of the most promising voices on the scene.
VOTE 8
Enrico Nigiotti – EVERY TIME I CAN'T FLY
To draw an audience into an artist's world, you need depth, effective yet incisive and luminous writing. All of this is missing here; it's a piece that leaves you with a heavy sense of frustration that leaves you wishing for only one thing: for the final note to come soon.
RATING 4.5
Samurai Jay – OBSESSION
A Latin-inflected summer hit, complete with "andale andale" and "bailando con tigo asì." Touching on world music, it's aiming for the top spot on the summer charts. And it might just get there, but for how long?
VOTE 4
Serena Brancale – HERE WITH ME
Powerful, intense, with a vocal crescendo and a Giorgia-esque high-pitched finish. If there's a flaw to be found, it's this: from a jazz voice like hers, something less vigorous and more sophisticated would have been fine.
RATING 7.5
Arisa – MAGICAL FAIRY TALE
If there's one thing that doesn't work at Sanremo, it's this: taking stock. "When I was thirty, everyone told me how beautiful your voice was, but at forty, I just want to find some peace," sings Arisa. Which has always been a guarantee, but this time around, the song is dramatically inconsistent.
RATING 5.5
Nayt – BEFORE
It's got everything in it: first love, first drugs, the slavery of likes. But it doesn't get anywhere; it's just another rap song, catchy, yes, but without the slightest hint of malice.
VOTE 5
Dargen – AI AI
He's back to stir things up with his committed "funk singer-songwriter rap," this time with a strong critique of the world of artificial intelligence. A little less incisive and scathing than usual, but still with a catchy refrain: "Ai ai, what are you doing to me? You tell me, come here and then you're gone."
RATING 6.5
Raf – NOW AND FOREVER
A return from the legendary '80s that leaves no mark: nothing to complain about the ballads, but when they even blend in with the latest arrival's, there's serious cause for concern. Operation nostalgia: failed.
RATING 5.5
Lda and Aka7even – CLANDESTINE POEMS
Formerly Amici, albeit on different editions, they're now even roommates. It's clear they get along well. It's a shame they're bringing a folk song, a little Latin, a little neomelodic, that seems only aspiring to go viral on social media.
RATING 5.5
Rag Dolls – STAY WITH ME
So many women rocking on the same stage, and that alone is revolutionary. The message is a heartfelt plea: stay united, stay united, in times of hatred and conflict. The sound, unfortunately, despite the blazing guitars and steady drums, is a bit muted.
RATING 6.5
Fulminacci – STUPID BAD LUCK
An indie ballad with a touch of crooner, constructed with simple images: construction sites, traffic lights, open-air cinema, the breeze of the subway. It's honest and unpretentious because "it'll make it to the charts and the Sanremo Music Festival." So, it works.
VOTE 7
Ermal Meta – STAR STAR
A damask lullaby that gives voice to the children of Gaza. It speaks of "walls and sea," of "a land that doesn't want us but I don't know where to go," of "black, black nights," where "anger and prayer are no longer enough." But also of a "spring" that will come from the "hill." It has a powerful impact.
VOTE 8
Elettra Lamborghini – VOILÀ
Lamborghini in its purest form, with her lighthearted dance vibe: even though she plays the diva, she has a certain dignity because she knows how to lighten her load. The lyrics are a celebration of life and freedom, and with the chorus "Viva viva viva la Carrà," it's perfect for a pride float.
RATING 6.5
Chiello – I ALWAYS THINK OF YOU
This is a great debut. Don't let the seemingly banal title fool you; the progression is interesting and makes you want to see it through to the end. The genre? "Emo rap," a whispered, crooked, fragmented rap. Above all: original.
VOTE 8
Eddie Brock – VULTURES
It tells of a heartbreaking love with a touch of rock, where the rock between a piano and a cascade of violins is simply a great final electric guitar solo. It's not striking.
VOTE 6
Maria Antonietta and Colombre – JUST HAPPINESS
We start with some magnificent '80s keyboards, and end up heartened by a powerful message: happiness isn't a reward, but everyone's right. We'll try not to think too much about Coma_Cose, but it seems we can't get enough of this indie pop duo.
VOTE 8
Fedez and Marco Masini – NECESSARY EVIL
The quote is so powerful and even inconvenient, Nietzsche: necessary evil is part of human existence because only from storms do we emerge better. Philosophy aside, the odd couple splits the song equally: Fedez delivers the verse, rigorously self-quoting, Masini the chorus, and together at the end. The voices match, each one does their part, what else is there to say? Oh yes, they're the favorites: that's a great mystery.
VOTE 6
Michele Bravi – SOONER OR LATER
A monologue about feelings of inadequacy, a stream of consciousness with a unique melody unlike any other. Beautiful.
RATING 6.5
J-AX – ITALIA STARTER PACK
He returns to the Festival, alone, with an "average Italian" but in a country version. His protagonists: "The old man from the neighborhood with many more years than teeth" and "the man who pumps gasoline." But the gist is always the same: "Here we don't protest about wages, only about pineapple pizza..."
