Il Mese del Rosario

Breaking moulds works best when you can demonstrate you’ve nailed the mould. The first two tracks of this scintillating second album from Italian singer Flo are sassy, sophisticated songs on which she displays an impressive vocal range while her three-piece band plus assorted guests provide a backdrop of bouncing Gypsy-ish swing. On the third track, ‘Malemaritate’ – about sin and society, rural roots and city stresses – she raises her game, showcasing sudden rhythmic shifts, blistering flamenco-style guitar, tongue-twisting raps and megaphone shouts. Following this is ‘Ad Ogni Femmina un Marito’, an unashamedly romantic song with a slow, soft quasi-Celtic folk rhythm, and Flo’s powerful, dramatic Italian vocals sweeping all over it.

The mood swings and sheer variety mesmerise, and make listening akin to attending a virtual cabaret. Flo, who has acting experience, gives her songs a huge amount of colour and drama. Madredeus, Pink Martini and Rosa Balistreri all come to mind as Flo explores a multiplicity of ideas, emotions and Neapolitan and Sicilian sub-genres. But she’s totally her own woman; a thrilling exponent of Italy’s unique pop/world crossover scene.