I was recently introduced to Malika Ayane, a singer from Italy who was featured (apparently) on “One Tree Hill.” That her debut album comes half in Italian and half in English provides her strong international appeal (great for marketing given her website ufficiale doesn’t load). Of course, truly understanding music goes beyond recognizing the language of words, but rather understanding the language of emotion.
The haunting qualities of “Come Foglie” stick in mind. The song is graceful, soft-spoken yet strong. Although it can be quite epic at times, there’s an element of quiet poignancy that takes you to a more melancholy place… uninvited nostalgia floating like leaves from a summer you can’t have again.
I confess myself a fan, although I’m not sure how long I can listen to her guttural style of singing before my own tonsils explode. Who am I to complain, anyway, since I was an Alanis fan in the 90s. I should be used to weird noises from the mouth!
Leave it to the Italians to get themselves repeatedly stuck in my head…
Magari.
