Animali notturni

"Animali notturni"
Single by Malika Ayane
Released25 February 2026
GenreDance-pop
Length2:58
Label
Composers
Lyricists
  • Malika Ayane
  • Edwyn Roberts
  • Stefano Marletta
ProducerMerk & Kremont
Malika Ayane singles chronology
"L'avresti detto mai"
(2025)
"Animali notturni"
(2026)

"Animali notturni" ("Nocturnal Animals") is a song co-written and recorded by Italian singer Malika Ayane, released on 25 February 2026.[1]

The song was presented in competition during the Sanremo Music Festival 2026.[2]

Background and release

"Animali notturni" was written by Ayane herself with Vincenzo Luca Faraone, Stefano Marletta, Edwyn Clark Roberts, Giordano Cremona and Federico Mercuri.[3] The song marks the first single released with Carosello Records.[4] The singer explained the meaning of the song and the choice to change label and how it is the result of an artistic journey born from the experience in the theatre with the traditional reinterpretation of Brokeback Mountain.[5]

"Animali notturni" was released in digital and streaming format on 25 February 2026. The single was re-released on a 45 rpm vinyl record as the A-side and a version performed with the French trio Dov'è Liana on the B-side.[6]

Music video

The video for "Animali notturni", directed by Matteo Maggi, was published at the same time as the single's release through Ayane's YouTube channel.[7]

Promotion

Italian broadcaster RAI organised the 76th edition of the Sanremo Music Festival between 24 and 28 February 2026. On 30 November 2025, Ayane was announced among the participants of the festival, with the title of her competing entry revealed the following 14 December.[8][9]

Charts

Chart performance for "Animali notturni"
Chart (2026) Peak
position
Italy (FIMI)[10] 25
Italy Airplay (EarOne)[11] 20

References

  1. ^ Lisa Gottardo (25 February 2026). "Aniamali notturni - Malika Ayane (Radio Date: 25/02/2026)". EarOne. Retrieved 25 February 2026.
  2. ^ ""Animali notturni". Il testo della canzone di Malika Ayane al Festival di Sanremo 2026". La Repubblica. 24 February 2026. Retrieved 25 February 2026.
  3. ^ Stefano Gradi (16 February 2026). ""Animali notturni" di Malika Ayane - Il testo e il significato della canzone di Sanremo 2026". TV Sorrisi e Canzoni. Retrieved 25 February 2026.
  4. ^ Luca Dondoni (10 February 2026). "Malika Ayane: "A Sanremo racconto la notte, il mio pezzo dance vi stupirà"". La Stampa. Retrieved 25 February 2026.
  5. ^ Gianni Sibilla (14 February 2026). "Malika Ayane e la non-musica che gira intorno a Sanremo". Rockol. Retrieved 25 February 2026.
  6. ^ Maria Vittoria Pezzoni (24 February 2026). "Malika Ayane: "Sento la stessa energia, lo stesso stupore del mio primo Festival"". Radio Italia. Retrieved 25 February 2026.
  7. ^ Alessandro Alicandri (25 February 2026). "Tutti i video dei cantanti in gara a Sanremo 2026". TV Sorrisi e Canzoni. Retrieved 25 February 2026.
  8. ^ "Sanremo 2026. Da Tommaso Paradiso a Patty Pravo, Carlo Conti annuncia i nomi dei 30 Big in gara". RaiNews (in Italian). RAI. 30 November 2025. Retrieved 30 November 2025.
  9. ^ Dammacco, Beppe (15 December 2025). "Sanremo 2026: i titoli dei brani in gara. Definite le quattro Nuove Proposte". Eurofestival News (in Italian). Retrieved 15 December 2025.
  10. ^ "Singoli 10 2026 – Archivio classifiche settimanali". Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana. Retrieved 7 March 2026.
  11. ^ "animali notturni - Malika Ayane | Scheda brano" [animali notturni - Malika Ayane | Song sheet] (in Italian). EarOne. Retrieved 12 March 2026.