Over the years, some songs by the Ministers have accumulated which have lived a lateral existence, written in different periods and remained on the margins of the official discography, without any real diffusion, but capable of maintaining their expressive power intact, in the words of the authors: “Pieces sitting on the opposition benches waiting to go into action”. In 2022 some of these songs left the bedroom, shared with fans through the group's newsletter, a gesture thought of as an intimate exchange with one's communitybypassing any intermediation, accompanied by just one simple recommendation: safeguard them without spreading them online. An experiment based on trust, which the fans welcomed and respected, transforming those songs into a secret heritage to be preserved and protected. Finished the first one leg of the tour in support of “Aurora Popolare”, the Ministri decided to give a roof to that material, reworking it in the studio and adding two further unreleased songs.
Thus is born an EP that finally shines the light on compositions that have so far remained in the shadows, but never truly abandoned, capable of telling something necessary. Focus tracks on the album are “This is not music”, a powerful soundtrack for ephemeral times, and “Gente che si ostina a vive”, an obstinate hymn to daily survival, songs that look the chaos of our days in the face with disillusionment, but without retreating an inch, to the point of transforming resistance into a form of ferocious optimism.
With irony and emotional tension the Ministers ask themselves what invisible force continues to push people forward, even when everything – governments, destiny, even the sky – seems to work against it: guitars and political-social commitment, the now consolidated recipe of the Milanese trio. In closing, the work done by Federico Dragogna in “Nostalgia di dio” is interesting, bringing the band and unusual sound textures together.
THE'artwork of the project continues the path of visual research undertaken in recent years: after the homage to Munari's graphics for Einaudi, created in 2021, the cover of “Canzoni ombra” is inspired by those of the historic musical scores that have accompanied generations of musicians. A vinyl edition is also planned to accompany this release one sidewith smooth B side, trunk packaging and unprinted black inner envelope.
In support of “Canzoni ombra” the Ministers have also announced a series of summer concerts that will bring the band to some of the festivals and stages outdoor most important on the peninsula. A new live chapter that collects the energy accumulated in the previous club tour to transfer it to the spaces openunder the stars, keeping intact the spirit of sharing that has always characterized the group's concerts.
06/27/2026
Daniel D`Amico for SANREMO.FM
