One of the most gifted singer/songwriters of his generation, Cesare Cremonini first appeared on the Italian pop-rock scene in the late '90s as frontman of the band Lunapop—but it's his subsequent solo career that has catapulted him to enduring success. The pianist's tumbling melodies integrate multi-layered guitar textures and rock drums, filling out a richly expressive sound with atmospheric strings, bouncy bass lines and thrumming percussion. Cremonini deftly adapts his warm vocals from laidback lyrical storytelling to bursts of searing emotion.