Jack Savoretti – Europiana

From the confines of lockdown emerges an appreciation for everything that was taken for granted before and for the beauty of life. In this spirit, Jack Savoretti’s sentimental new release Europiana celebrates love and relationships in a nostalgic retro foray, evoking the European summers of his youth.

Sweeping and romantic opening track I Remember Us begins with a lovely childlike chorus. The singer’s slightly raspy, passionate vocals are accompanied by piano, violins, a military-style drumbeat and synth background tones, suggesting 80s French Europop. Secret Life is fast-paced, terrific dance music, and another nostalgia-driven piece.

Who’s Hurting Who is full-on 70s disco that brings to mind John Travolta in Saturday Night Fever, with powerful vocals that inject a contemporary flavour. Charming and energetic, When You’re Lonely features a beautiful, smooth, Johnny Mathis sound by the versatile Savoretti, with delicate piano and accordion and a French or Italian essence evoking visions of sunny European vistas and adventures.

A soulful, sentimental ballad, More Than Ever is an intensely emotional auto-biographical confessional, referring to Savoretti’s childhood in Italy and regret, love and love lost. One can visualise a flashing disco ball at Studio 54 in the super 70s-sounding Too Much History. With a great beat, joyful ambiance and vibrant voice, this is another track that inspires movement while picturing an outdoor party in Saint Tropez.

Dancing in the Living Room inspires just that – the ultimate lockdown song. The track features disco again, ebullient and seductive, driven by excellent musical composition and delivery. Magnetic piano and drums introduce the fervent, uplifting and essentially 80s piece Each and Every Moment, combining innovative instrumentals with classic retro brass.

Merging a hint of veteran French star Michel Polnareff with a little Mozart, The Way You Say Goodbye brings to mind every continental musical and cinematic love story, with gorgeous soaring piano and violins and moving vocals. The lively Calling Me Back to You employs compelling, spirited, fiery riffs and ardent lyrics, projecting hopeful positivity. Finally, Savoretti conjures Elton John in War of Words, an emotional ballad using 80s-style chords with a unique, childlike, ethereal-sounding chorus.  

The charming and evocative Europiana is a feast of celebration amid the deprivation of a locked-down world. There are varying opinions about disco, but when the listener allows this album to carry them away, they will be beguiled by the passion, cheer and fun it invokes. It is also very danceable. With seamless quality, the vocals, lyrics and instrumentals are superb. Relax, dance, enjoy – this record is pure pleasure.

Catherine Sedgwick

Europiana is released on 25^th June 2021. For further information or to order the album visit Jack Savoretti’s website here.

Watch the video for the single Who’s Hurting Who here: