Strap in and dim the lights, because Lipford has just dropped a seismic shift in his career with his sixteenth single, “Just a Cry.” Known for his pop-infused sensibilities, the Italian-American artist takes a hard left turn into darker, more explosive terrain, and the result is nothing short of breathtaking.

For those who need a history lesson, Lipford is no bedroom pop star. Born in Rome in 1985, he cut his teeth for a massive 17 years as the guitarist and songwriter for the alternative band MantraM. Since going solo in 2019, he’s been a prolific force, but “Just a Cry” feels like the culmination of that entire journey. The track is good in dynamics, a sonic push-and-pull that grabs you intensely. But the secret weapon here is the collaboration with the Roman band The Rezonaut. Their gritty, alternative-metal arrangements provide the perfect storm of sound for Lipford’s new direction.

But let’s talk about the man himself. Lipford’s vocal performance is a revelation. He’s pouring out this whole stream of thoughts, emotions, tears that never fell, and screams that stayed silent. And those lyrics are like poetry about how fragile we all are, and they’re the beating, bruised heart of this whole track.

“Just a Cry” is a survival anthem, the song of a seasoned artist fearlessly reinventing himself, colliding his pop roots with rock ferocity to create something truly powerful. This is Lipford stripped down to his truest, boldest self, and man, what a ride it is.