We admit it right away: we have a soft spot for Nava. Weak, however, never hidden. Since the days of the single rituals, hosted for the first time on these pages, to date, when she became one of the protagonists of the new edition of X Factor. At least until Homevisit, when Manuel Agnelli decided not to take it to live shows because it was “already complete”.
And maybe Manuel is right: Nava knows very well who he is, what he does, what he wants, and how to move in his territory made up of electronics and Persian sounds. Without forgetting aesthetics and outfits. We won’t see her at live shows, we said, but who cares: we have music. And let’s start from there and from her latest single, Firefly which tells us about «a somewhat magical world in which you are transported by a sort of gravity force, which in this case is represented by a person». The video is made with her same team as always, formed by Matteo Strocchia and Marco Servina who this time, starting from the concept of a fairy and cosmic world (cit.), have created two new alter egos of the singer. Look here:
A project that continues the story that began with Bloom, a shortmovie in which Nava concentrated five pieces (Meh, Sebra, Blaze, Blank, Sleepless) and related videos.
But now that the television experience is over, it’s time to go back to playing live (follow his Instagram page for all updates). And while waiting to see her live, we had a playlist packed with her songs from her moment. What music does Nava listen to? «My playlist is always changing, I’ll tell you the truth. Lately I put NTS and let it decide for me, it kindles my curiosity. Sometimes I am very critical of what I listen to and what I like, but deep down I don’t care, everything changes, everything is fluid! If something makes you feel in this zombie world we live in, so be it! Even if it’s not the most sought-after thing at the moment. So here goes my playlist of the moment».
Nava. Photos: Matteo Strocchia, Matteo Servina. Stylist: Ruxandra Virca. Earrings: Cocco Cose. Outfits: Veronica Nicastro
“Human Nature” Sevdaliza
«I discovered this song during a writing session with Mattia Del Moro, and nothing, I will be forever grateful to him. It has become my obsession. It’s incredible how the voice can become an instrument, it makes you understand that anything can be done. The only limits are those imposed by ourselves.
“Drown me” Chinaha
“I like this song because it’s listless but edgy. I find it right edgy, between the text and how the words are pronounced. It looks sweet but is full of poison. You listen to it and relax, almost ironically. This way of writing and singing is what inspires me the most. Xtina is already shooting the very high notes, I take the path of Lana or Madonna, who focus on other things ».
“God breathed” Kanye West
«Making samples with the voice is something I find brilliant, and it’s absurd how from one thing you can arrive in a different galaxy. I often do this with traditional Persian pieces. I love the fact that you can sample a Hayde (Persian singer) song on an 808 drum kit, pitch it and be ready to play it on a surreal evening. Who knows what she would think! She was way ahead of her time so I think she would appreciate it.’
“Wildfire”” SBTRKT
«I confess, I’m a big hi-hat hater, but this is the only song where I tolerate them. I like it because the BPMs aren’t too high and they hug this seated, slow melodic line. It must also be said that seeing Kanye live made me lose all objectivity».
“Under the table” Fiona Apple
“Fiona is the person I wanted to be, she wrote all the pieces I wanted to write. I honestly don’t know if I’ll ever have the courage for her. She’s so innovative and pissed off, she wins Grammys, she doesn’t need to use social media but what she has to say goes straight to your heart and you drown in it. I think she also writes when she’s furious, like me! I see it as a kind of therapy.”
