No two ways about it: Italian-born Alessandra Boldrini’s calling has always involved music. Starry-eyed and ready to turn dreams into reality, she packed her bags and headed to the UK in 2016 to pursue a degree at BIMM Institute. Since then, she’s gone on to amass over half a million streams across her tracks and positioned herself as one of Pop’s most exciting rising stars.
Inspired by the likes of Dua Lipa, Nono, Mabel, and Clean Bandit, Boldrini’s EDM-meets-Pop sound pivots around her enchanting yet confident vocal palette that oozes with charisma. Showcasing a vocal maturity way beyond her years, Boldrini’s lyricism explores the human mind, often subconsciously writing songs from the perspective of others. Hailing from the small Italian village of Fabriano, Boldrini’s lofty musical ambitions left her feeling like a big fish in a small pond. She spent time singing in her local choir during childhood, and while her musically inclined family ignited her passion, Boldrini decided to move to London and study at the British and Irish Modern Music Institute in pursuit of her musical dreams.
The new single “What You Wanted” is a wash of refreshing honesty, recounting the feeling of despair and disdain surrounding toxic relationships. Detailing the hurt of holding yourself accountable for the fault of others, and the fallout and frustration that’s triggered by gaslighting, Boldrini admits, “I was in a relationship a few years back, and towards the end, I found myself giving and giving and giving and for what? Nothing, as the other person couldn’t even bother to try and make things better.”
For Boldrini, music is more than simply structured noise; it’s also therapy, a vessel that supplies her with a consistent stream of confidence and motivation to fuel her determination to succeed, which is clearly evident in this new track. The singer’s pop influences shine through in the catchy up-beat melody, bursting with a feel-good and intoxicating energy, creating a meaningful contrast to the somewhat dustier lyrics. Emitting confidence and illustrating the taking back of control in a relationship, she sings, “You tell me baby don’t you over analyse / But I know what you did, come show your face / It’s time for you to take the blame for all the lies you said”.
“What You Wanted” holds an empowering notion to celebrate our authentic selves, with the songwriter wanting to “embrace my unique personality and be loved for who I am… if you don’t like it, that’s absolutely fine – but don’t put it on me!”