Fabio Concato returns to the studio after a four-year hiatus. And he does it because he “literally fell in love” with a song written by Federico Stragà — a track so powerful and moving that he chose to perform it exactly as it was, without changing a single word.

The song, titled Automobilisti (which translates loosely as Drivers), starts with the chaos of city traffic but quickly steers into emotional territory. It’s a duet between Federico Stragà and one of Italy’s most beloved singer-songwriters, Fabio Concato.

A poetic reflection rather than a protest song, Automobilisti is an implicit call for kindness — inspired by the idea that cars amplify whatever we’re feeling, for better or worse. “It’s a song I wrote some time ago,” explains Stragà. “The car is like an emotional megaphone. When someone lets you merge or apologizes with a smile, it feels like kindness is still alive. But when someone cuts you off or shouts at you, the reaction is often over the top.”

The track closes with the line: “Tutti sulla stessa strada” — “We’re all on the same road.” A perfect summary of the song’s spirit: everyone’s on their own journey, carrying invisible burdens. Maybe we could all treat each other a little better, even just for a moment.

This empathetic lens made Stragà think of Concato right away: “He came to mind immediately. His songs like Guido piano or 051 have that light, ironic, yet deeply human tone that felt perfect for Automobilisti. After a few months of back-and-forth, I called him directly. To my amazement, he was enthusiastic right away and insisted on singing the song exactly as it was — not even a comma changed.”

Their connection goes back further than either of them expected: a fleeting encounter in Belluno in the late ’90s, when a young Stragà gave Concato directions to the theater. “I never imagined that 25 years later, we’d be singing a song I wrote together.”

Automobilisti also marks an important step in Stragà’s evolution from performer to songwriter — a journey that began by chance. “I didn’t originally want to write songs. But around 2013, I started doing it more and more. Sometimes finishing an idea is tough, but when inspiration strikes, it’s hard to ignore it.”

The result is a song that’s tender, witty, and profoundly human — a gentle reminder that even in traffic, there's room for a kind gesture.

“I didn’t know Federico personally,” adds Concato. “I recognized the name, of course, but not much more. When I listened to the song, I immediately felt it was different — and that’s saying something. I’m often asked to hear new material, and most of it doesn’t grab me. But Automobilisti struck a chord. I loved the song, and I liked Federico — both the man and the artist. His unique style, his sincerity — it all came through. I really enjoyed singing with him — I hope you can feel that. And I hope you love the song as much as I do. It truly deserves it — and so does Federico.”

Adding another layer to this evocative project, and ahead of the release of Federico Stragà’s upcoming album, a music video is in the works — still under wraps — featuring acclaimed actor Gioele Dix in a completely unexpected role. Known for blending depth with lightness, Dix brings the song’s poetic spirit and subtle humor to life. The video promises to be a visual story: simple, moving, and completely in tune with the soul of Automobilisti.

Anticipated by the singles “Make My Day” and “Love Is a Pain”, the new album by Papik and Alan Scaffardi, “Sun Will Shine Again”, will be available from March 7. With this release, the two artists solidify a collaboration that has been going strong for years, achieving millions of streams on digital platforms and performing in major clubs and festivals worldwide. The album is built on Papik’s refined sound, featuring his signature blend of nu-jazz, soul, and R&B, this time enhanced by the constant presence of Alan Scaffardi’s vocals—an artist capable of touching emotional chords with his versatility. Twelve songs take the listener on a journey through deep emotions, from melancholy to hope, delivering a message of optimism and positivity. The album starts with the open wound of “Love Is a Pain”, then finds the courage to move forward with “The Timing is Right”, passing through various stages such as the weight of choices (“If You Walk Out the Door”) and the light after darkness (“Sun Will Shine Again”). It also explores the pain of loss with “What Have You Done” and “I’ll Let You Go”, while emphasizing the spark of positivity found in “Make My Day”, the album’s lead single. The project also features a special collaboration with Ely Bruna, who joins as a featured artist in the duet “Some People”. Additionally, Papik and Alan Scaffardi have chosen to reinterpret some iconic soundtracks that have left a mark on them, including “Forever” by Phil Perry, “Showdown” by Electric Light Orchestra, and “On the Beach” by Chris Rea.

"Love Is a Pain" is the second single chosen to preview the upcoming album celebrating the collaboration between Papik and Alan Scaffardi. Following the success of the first single, "Make My Day" Alan returns with a song that delves into the deeper and more complex side of love, revealing the most fragile and disillusioned aspects of relationships. A smooth track once again characterized by a strong RnB flavor, which will be the defining element of the album Sun Will Shine Again, set to release on March 7. The official music video will also be available starting January 30.

SingAmore is a musical journey that seeks to capture the essence of an Italian Christmas and speak to the world about love, family, and those special moments that make this holiday unique. The track, which blends pop, swing, and jazz elements in a way only Christmas can inspire, was created in collaboration with the JazOp combo featuring Luca Savazzi on piano, Stefano Carrara on double bass, and Michele Morari on drums. The release of "SingAmore," following the success of Alan's latest single "Make My Day" (October 2024), serves as a prelude to the upcoming album created with Papik, scheduled for early next year. Future collaborations with JazOp are also on the horizon.