21 grammi by Giuseppe Cucè – Aipate

The idea of the soul is one rooted in spirituality, and the question of what actually happens when someone dies has inspired many to put forward theories. In his new conceptual album, 21 grammi, Italian artist Giuseppe Cucè gives an artful spin to scientist Duncan MacDougall’s 1907 theory about the body losing 21 grams immediately after life leaves it.

While the concept of the album sounds rather abstract, Giuseppe makes it relatable and practical, equating the said weight of the soul to the sum of the emotional experiences that we carry with us. In his view, such experiences as love, loss, faith, hope and memories are what amount to those 21 grams.

Musically, this album feels like a recital of poetry set against a mix of balladic and vibrant instrumentation. It opens with “È tutto così vero”, where lively, salsa-infused rhythms take centre stage, and ends with the funk-laced “Di estate non si muore”. In between are songs spanning disparate emotional states.

From the euphoric melodies of “Fragile equilibrio” to the layers of strings and piano on “La mia dea”, each piece is packed with emotionally rousing elements. Cucè’s vocal skills are exhibited throughout the album, especially on songs like “una notte infinita”, which has a classic pop feel. Riccardo Samperi’s work on the production (with credit on each track) is worth talking about.

Altogether, 21 grammi is a really beautiful album. I love how Giuseppe Cucè has taken a topic steeped in spiritual mystery and created a body of work that reflects the human experience, all while remaining totally captivating. Despite the lyrics being in Italian (I don’t speak Italian), I really enjoyed this collection.

Give 21 grammi a listen. For more updates from Giuseppe Cucè, follow the musician on Instagram.