Italian pop singer Filomena Croce’s new single “Renaissance” is out now on all streaming platforms.
Recorded in Toronto, Ontario with producer Roy Hamilton III (Britney Spears, Michael Jackson, NSYNC, Joe), “Renaissance” fittingly marks a new beginning for the singer/songwriter, who moved to Mexico in 2022 and on the way to setting down in Turkey this month.
“I had just come out of a difficult period and felt the need to express my will to give life another chance,” says Croce. “l felt positive, empowered, energetic, and both the lyrics and the rhythm of the song reflected this renewed mood.”
On “Renaissance”, Croce celebrates a renewed focus, another opportunity to take life by the horns and live it to the fullest.
“I want to live, I want to give this life another chance,” she sings. “I want to feel free like the wind.”
Croce draws on both her jazz and pop voice training on “Renaissance”, having earned a master’s degree in music from ArtEZ University of the Arts Conservatorium in Zwolle, The Netherlands. The song begins and ends with Croce scat-singing over acoustic guitar, bass and drums. Croce’s acrobatic vocal performance sets the pace and pushes the song into a powerful rhythm, expertly captured by Hamilton III.
Croce had started to write “Renaissance” in 2018 but put it aside when she felt unsure about its ending. Then, one day she felt inspired and decided the right moment had arrived to complete the song. She finished it in one day.
Filomena showed the song to Hamilton III and he was so enthusiastic that he invited her to Toronto to record it for his label, The Singer’s Company.
“Recording with Roy has been such a great experience,” she says. l usually feel a lot of pressure in the studio because l am a perfectionist. But I immediately felt comfortable there with him and l didn’t worry about it anymore. It was one of the best days ever!”
On the track, Filomena sings about feeling her power and will coming back to her, and she delivers the accompanying energy required to go along with that statement.
“The world is in my hands,” Croce sings. “I’m ash and fire, like a phoenix about to rise; sun and desire, a spirit that never dies.”
Interestingly, while in Toronto to record with Hamilton III, Croce discovered that Beyoncè had just released her latest album, also entitled “Renaissance”. She talked to the producer about whether or not to change the song’s title and she decided to keep it.
“There was no other way to express the true essence and meaning of my message.”
The world traveler has performed in Italy, Brazil, London, Paris, Mexico, Germany, Belgium and Amsterdam, where she supported DJs Armin van Buuren, Steve Aoki, Afrojack and Tiesto as part of the ADE Festival (Amsterdam Dance Event) for an audience of 17,000 people. The skilled singer is equally comfortable accompanied by orchestras, jazz combos and pop groups.
For the “Renaissance” video, Croce turned to a popular spot in Puerto Vallarta not far from her new Mexican home.
“I was looking for inspiration,” Croce says, “when I casually turned my head for a second and saw la calle de las sombrillas (the street of the umbrellas). I decided with no hesitation that we had to shoot it there”.
The bright pastels of the umbrellas hanging between the colorfully painted buildings drive home the positive, inspirational message of “Renaissance”.
A fitting backdrop for Croce’s song of renewal.
