With outward-looking idols like Tiziano Ferro at the helm,‘10s Italian pop had a global sheen—but didn’t shy away from speaking out on matters that hit home. Ferro duets with R&B mega star Mary J. Blige on the empowering “Each Tear”, exploring bold new electronic directions in the process. Elsewhere, rapper Fabri Fibra meets electro-popsters Thegiornalisti on a piercing commentary about Italy’s searing political divide and the Kardashians’ omnipresence. More low-key but equally gripping is “Talassa”, Sicilian indie popster Colapesce’s touching narrative about the lives of local fishermen.