Four years after the last album, after playing in the temples of live music in Italy and across the border Serena Brancale’s new album comes out today Sacred (Island of Artists / Atlantic Records Italy / Warner Music Italy) .
Sacred is a record that tells who Serena has become. If Here with me, with which he competed at the last edition of the Sanremo Festival was an intimate letter dedicated to his mother who passed away in 2020, a dialogue between memory and light, the new album expands that story and makes it universal. It is a work that speaks of roots and spirituality, of belonging and freedom, of flesh and soul, but also of celebration and celebration. A record that combines groove and introspection, elegance and instinct, refined writing and visceral vibration.
The artist’s story takes shape and constantly evolves to give space to all his souls. Study, research and experimentation are thus reflected in the guests inside Sacred. A title that opens up to the spiritual dimension: «I don’t have a religious belief but I’m sure there is a world after death. I like to believe that a person who passes through to the other side can always watch me live and be close to me if I need it.”
Among the songs on the album, Serenade (platinum record) which, sung with fellow countrywoman Alessandra Amoroso, was one of the soundtracks of last summer. AND Anema and corewho had competed in Sanremo 2025. But Serena’s value also goes beyond national borders and gives us pearls with true icons of world music. Accompanying her on two songs is the acclaimed American jazz/soul singer-songwriter Gregory Porter (winner of two Grammys). In addition to the classic Bésame Mucho by Consuelo Velázquez (already reinterpreted at the Ariston with Delia), also in the unreleased Just an hour along with the Sayf revelation.
«I have always been attracted to the United States», Serena explains, «by how they hear music. All my collaborations with Americans have always enriched me a lotbecause I am jazz in attitude and soul in singing any song.” The album also features a wonderful meeting with Omara Portuondo, legendary Cuban voice, in Aquello (Spanish text)embellished by the union with Pamela. Serena’s guest was also Richard Bona, a virtuoso Cameroonian singer and multi-instrumentalist who won a Grammy, in Gypsy. There is also no shortage of dialogues between nu-soul, jazz, R&B and world music together with Alborosie. And then many songs in Bari dialect, such as Bariamore (Kess it’s my house / Kand nzim ammè / Talk to the man and know why), and Magic Puglia (Puglia Puglia/ U Salentin dialect/ Raffo Raffo /Uè The tarandin mussel).
And then it couldn’t be missed Here with mewhich thrilled the public and earned her the “Lucio Dalla” Press Room Award, the Lunezia Award and the TIM Award. «A vivid memory of my mother», he tells us, «is her voice during her choir’s weekly rehearsals. She was a contralto and I, as a little girl, listened to her, and by being around her I learned her entire repertoire. At the Festival, where on the final evening I wore one of her dresses, with me there was my sister, who conducted the orchestra, and my brother who came to visit me. I am very close to my family and I’m always happy when I go down by car to Puglia to hug my father.”
After the new album the artist pwill start in April with the “SACRO TOUR”, which will bring its energy to Italy and Europe. A tour that will start from London on April 30th until arriving in his native Bari on October 3rd. Below are all the dates:
