Olly’s journey from the Sanremo stage to the pages of the New York Times shows how a song can travel far beyond national borders. “Balorda Nostalgia,” the rock ballad that won Sanremo 2025, has been included by the American newspaper among the most meaningful songs of the year in a feature on new European music.
The recognition goes well beyond streaming numbers — more than 121 million listens on Spotify — and highlights the emotional honesty of a song able to resonate with listeners abroad. In her article The Best Music You May Not Have Heard, journalist Katrin Bennhold points out that global music is not limited to Anglo-American superstars, mentioning Italian rock ballads like Olly’s as some of the most surprising discoveries.
Originally conceived as an intimate song rooted in memory and personal history, “Balorda Nostalgia” brought Olly his first Sanremo victory. After the festival, he chose to forgo Eurovision in favor of a sold-out Italian tour, confirming a steady, authentic artistic path. His success reflects a broader resurgence of Italian pop-rock on the international scene.