Coca Puma

Costanza Puma, the 26-year-old Roman artist also known as Coca Puma, makes a lightning-quick solo debut with a record that's as brief as it is electrifying. Clocking in at just over 20 minutes, it delivers a striking blend of jazzy, electronic nu-soul built on adventurous, flawless beats—a near-miracle in the landscape of Italian pop production.

The amphibious spirit of the album surfaces right from the opening track, "Tardi", a bridge between hip-hop-infused nu-jazz and Radiohead-esque moves in the vein of "Morning Bell". It solidifies in the standout single "Porta Pia", a track that drifts effortlessly between broken beats and off-kilter wonky rhythms. The surprises don’t stop there: "Non ci penso" taps into a drum’n’bass vein, while the instrumental "Tappeto" dives into vibrant, electrifying electropop, evoking the brilliance of Stylophonic’s work on Meg’s "Psychodelice". This vibe carries through to the closing track, "Come vuoi".

Coca Puma’s voice—at times channeling the laid-back charm of Frah Quintale or the whispers of Martina Topley-Bird—retains a distinct identity that many will find a cornerstone of the album. Still, there are moments where her vocal delivery feels restrained, holding back some of the emotional depth the music invites. No matter—if this debut is just a taste of what’s to come, the promise of evolution is more than enough to keep us intrigued.

For those too impatient to wait, you’ll hear more of Puma’s talent on the soundtrack of "Quasi a casa", Carolina Pavone’s 2024 film, where her conservatory training meets her newfound passion for 1960s and ’70s Italian library music. For everyone else, looping this short yet deeply evocative LP should be enough to tide you over—at least for now.

Hello, amore? Sorry
Must be the weather blues
Want a popsicle?
Let’s take a stroll to Porta Pia

07/01/2025