Mecna makes things tangible that are not

With “Discord, harmony and other states of mind” (here are the tour dates), Mecna, as he explained, put a stamp on his identity, certifying it. From “Laska” (2015), through “Lungomare paranoia” (2017), up to “Stupido smore” (2023) and the latest EP “Introspezione” (July 2025), appetizer of the new album out on Friday 24 October, these are the titles of some of his most representative projects, a path of writing, analysis and self-analysis that has characterized his entire career and which in this new one clearly emerges project finds a new compactness. Mecna continues to search for himself through others, to talk about an external world that becomes a mirror and filter, but also to sink his hands deeply into his personal history, illuminating the gray areas. He does it with an emotional, intelligent and direct rap, a rap that is precious because it is free from paradigms and clichés. The productions and arrangements of Lvnar and Fudasca accompany and complete this creative process.

“Discord, harmony and other states of mind”: a title to collect everything?
The choice of the title comes from the desire to give the project a complex, but at the same time simple, title. It’s a way of saying: here is everything I’ve experienced in this phase of my life. All moods are equally important because the moment they are expressed in music they become something else.

In “Stupido amore” you opened yourself up to other people’s stories. Here you return more to the center. Why?
In writing this record I was going in a more personal direction and I was also embracing what I’ve always liked about writing, which is telling parts of myself, telling intangible things that become concrete the moment you talk about them. The EP “Introspezione” certainly had a preparatory role, a stream of consciousness rap, piano and voice, which gave me great energy to move forward.

Did you want to continue the work started with “Introspection”?
Yes. And talking about oneself actually also opens windows onto a huge number of other issues, so it’s not limiting at all, in fact it’s a starting point that has always fascinated me.

In “Dreaming Big” you say: “I’m talking about intangible things because everyone is already talking about material things.”
I believe so much in this thing, making music and opening up. Starting to write a song from one of my doubts, from one of my stories, from one of my thoughts makes everything more fitting. And it seems paradoxical, but the more precise and specific this personal element is, the more the public appreciates and recognizes it. Describing in detail offers the listener the opportunity to create and find their own.

I think of a piece like “The Same Song” and I ask you: is this album more melodic than the previous ones?
No, it has fewer melodies and there is more rap, but the melodies that are there, in this project, are actually more focused. I perfected my voice and technique on these parts. On the previous albums I sometimes overdid it, but here I had everything clearer: the melodies have a strong and recognizable identity, which is probably why they stand out.

“A ciel sereno” is a very personal song, it talks about the arrival of a son. We go from light to dark and then the light returns. How do you get convinced to publish a song like this?
It can’t. You just do it. There’s a bit of recklessness. I have too much respect for music: when the planets align, it’s right that the songs come out. I started from the idea of ​​wanting to sample Fascenuvola’s “Lightning from the Blue”, I sent the piece to Fudasca who sent back the worked beat. From there the writing of the piece came out like a raging river, it was written in ten minutes and I never touched it again. I raised my hands before this magic.

Can you imagine it live?
I’m struggling. The idea makes me uncomfortable. There are some very personal pieces in my discography similar to this…”Despite it” I have never done it live. “Sorry” instead I did. I don’t know this yet… it could be one of those songs that is so special that it might not even be performed in concert.

“Portraits” is an outlet. I’m interested in what you say about how perspectives change your outlook on life. You talk about the fact that you always raised slogans against the police, but then your cousin made your aunt happy by becoming one. You are an artist who has always observed from various angles.
For me it is fundamental. Also look at the graphic side simply: this album has three different covers, three perspectives. The look you have on things allows you to talk about situations, perhaps already faced by others, in a totally new way in order to uncover new details. And all this has to do with identity, with sensitivity.

Is this why you say that identity is only built over time and that it is the real key to success?
I found mine and with this album I wanted to put a stamp on it, selecting the songs and giving compactness to everything. The record all sounds a certain way because that’s what I felt like communicating. This is identity: choosing.