As musical director for The Voice Italy, Alex Uhlmann has spent years guiding artists as they took to the spotlight, watching from behind the curtain as talents rose and fell, learning from their journeys. Now, Uhlmann is taking a turn in the spotlight himself with his debut solo album, Home, set for release across all platforms on September 20, 2024. This release represents a new chapter for Uhlmann, marking the evolution of a seasoned musician ready to bring his own story to life.
Though Home is a debut solo project, Alex Uhlmann is far from a novice in the world of music. His rich history as a performer and producer has shaped his sound into a powerful mix of introspective themes and vibrant, danceable energy. With platinum and gold records in Italy, a music award in the UK, and experience as a DJ for AC Milan, Uhlmann’s experience spans multiple roles and countries. This pan-European perspective is central to Home, which carries the depth of a seasoned artist who “feels 100% European” and has performed everywhere from small clubs in London to massive stages at the Formula 1 Grand Prix and Rome’s Olympic Stadium.
Home brings a blend of styles that characterizes Alex Uhlmann’s unique journey in the music world. It incorporates the infectious energy of club classics with more reflective and personal themes, providing a blend of upbeat dance vibes with introspective depth. Uhlmann’s Brit-pop roots, combined with his electronic and rock influences from his time with Planet Funk, create a distinctive soundscape that balances raw emotion with polished musical craftsmanship.
The lead single from Home, “Fading Away,” exemplifies this blend beautifully. This downtempo track merges the sound of contemporary hip-hop beats with classical-inspired strings, creating a haunting yet captivating listening experience. The interplay between contrasting elements makes “Fading Away” both delicate and powerful, a true reflection of the broader album.
“Fading Away,” which precedes the release of Home, is set to be accompanied by a moving music video, premiering on September 6, 2024. Directed by Nico Malaspina, the video tells the compelling story of Ukrainian ballet dancer Irina Hordiienko. Irina’s life took an unexpected turn when she traveled to Italy for a stage at the Ukrainian Academy of Ballet in Milan in February 2022. While there, the war in Ukraine broke out, leaving Irina and her mother unable to return home and reunite with their family.
The video, much like the song itself, captures the struggle and resilience that defined Irina’s experience. A chance encounter with Nico Malaspina’s wife led to the two women finding a new home in Italy, with Malaspina’s family offering them shelter and support during their time of uncertainty. This story of separation, hope, humanity, and hospitality moved both Alex Uhlmann and Nico Malaspina deeply, inspiring them to tell it through the visual and auditory language of “Fading Away.”
In the music video, Irina’s dance is a powerful visual metaphor for the struggle to hold onto joy and passion amid adversity. Silhouetted against stark backdrops, her movements echo the themes of hope and despair—emotions that Uhlmann captures through haunting vocals and powerful instrumental contrasts. The video speaks to both the sadness of Irina’s displacement and her determination to keep dancing, making it a profound visual complement to the song’s evocative soundscape.
For Alex Uhlmann, Home is about more than just creating music—it’s a deeply personal exploration of his own artistic journey. After years of helping others shine, Uhlmann’s moment has arrived, and he seizes it with both vulnerability and confidence. His experiences—whether it’s performing with Planet Funk, earning acclaim from Rolling Stone, or getting his tracks featured on MTV—have all led to this point. This album is Uhlmann’s opportunity to share his perspective with the world, combining his love for dancefloor anthems with thoughtful narratives that aim to connect on a deeper level.
The creation of Home also draws on the lessons Uhlmann learned while working behind the scenes at The Voice Italy. Witnessing the personal and musical growth of countless artists gave him unique insights into the delicate balance between creativity and vulnerability, lessons that are evident in the heartfelt lyrics and innovative production throughout his album. As he steps out from the shadows, Uhlmann brings with him a maturity and sensitivity that elevate his work beyond typical dance music fare.
Alex Uhlmann’s music has always been a testament to his European identity—an amalgamation of the cultures, styles, and influences that have shaped him as an artist. His early days saw him playing in every venue across London, from tiny clubs to bigger stages, before joining Planet Funk, a band known for its eclectic sound and high-energy performances. This European sensibility is evident throughout Home, an album that feels both intimate and expansive.
By incorporating a wide range of musical elements, from orchestral strings to modern electronic beats, Uhlmann crafts a sound that is as eclectic as his career has been. His love for Brit-pop is evident in the album’s melodic structures, while the production quality reflects his deep understanding of the electronic music that has defined dancefloors for decades.
Home is an album with a broad emotional range, touching on themes of love, longing, joy, and nostalgia. It’s the kind of record that can be played in a club setting but is equally fitting for quiet moments of reflection. It represents a bridge between Uhlmann’s past and present—a culmination of everything he has learned in his journey through music.
With the release of Home, Alex Uhlmann steps confidently into his role as a solo artist. The album is not just a collection of tracks but a statement of intent—a promise of more to come. Uhlmann’s combination of infectious energy, genuine emotion, and musical versatility sets him apart, making this debut one to watch for music lovers across genres.
His next steps will undoubtedly be watched by fans new and old alike. With support performances for major acts like One Republic and placements in the official Dance Charts across Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, Uhlmann is no stranger to success. But with Home, it’s not just about hits or chart positions—it’s about authenticity, connection, and finding his own voice. As he takes the center stage, Alex Uhlmann invites listeners to join him, to experience his music not only as a beat to dance to but as a story to be felt, a journey to be shared.
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