Section playlists

Finding your way through new music releases keeps getting harder. An abundance of choice doesn't mean easy access to what truly deserves attention, especially with a mainstream market so far removed from the most interesting realities out there. That's why we keep this initiative going: a regular update to explore the musical present through the Spotify playlists curated by the OndaRock staff. With the release calendar now in full swing, our selections get even richer: from boundary-free pop to ever-evolving rock, from electronic music to singer-songwriters, all the way to jazz, experimental sounds and the Italian scene, not forgetting the "dark" sonorities we've always followed closely. A journey in constant motion, to discover and be surprised.

Rock and Beyond

The new singles from Momma, Postcards, Hard Quartet, Jesus Lizard, Viagra Boys, Fontaines Dc and King Hannah, an incendiary excerpt from the Album of the Month by Murder Capital, another from the third EP by Chalk, a nu-gaze-tinged pick fished out of a mini-album released last November by Deary, the new album by The Men: all this among the top picks from the world of rock… and beyond… (Claudio Lancia)

Pop Muzik

This month's pop playlist swings towards hip-hop with the new singles from Little Simz and Backxwash, but doesn't forget a few dance impulses either. From mainstream pop to that of veteran acts (Sparks and Deacon Blue), from the jangle-pop of Tubs to the refined chamber pop of Beirut, this month our playlist widens its gaze towards a more cross-genre, and perhaps more stimulating, definition of pop. (Daniel Moor)

Dark Corner

There's plenty of interesting new material out over these past few weeks. Our dark playlist today brings us the recent dark peak (the post-metal of Canadian act Unreqvited), the new single from the ever-excellent Nnhmn (for darkwave lovers) and a blistering excerpt from the debut by Empereur (the architects of a post-punk that's incendiary to say the least). Also standing out are new tracks from veterans Lacuna Coil and Birthday Massacre, while on the black metal front, worth noting is the long-awaited return of Siberia's Grima and Finland's Havukruunu. (Paolo Chemnitz)

Electronic

A decidedly female-focused selection, updated with new productions from some of the most brilliant names on the current international electro scene: Marie Davidson, Yaeji, Amelie Lens, Charlotte De Witte, Aya, FKA Twigs, Ela Minus, Rose Gray and Oklou. For dancing, but not only... (Claudio Lancia)

Songwriter

A new record from Bon Iver is always a major event, but while waiting for April, why not listen to the new albums from Ichiko Aoba, The Delines and Miya Folick? And to keep an eye on the near future as well, this month's selection also brings back Esther Rose, Valerie June, Florist and Shura. Oh, and there's yet another excellent song from Waxahatchee. (Daniel Moor)

With 2024 now behind us, we find ourselves immersed in a new year that, in just its first two months, has already delivered top-tier productions. On the Italian front, alongside the excellent work of Laura Agnusdei and the ambitious project from Stefano Pilia, which we already flagged, comes the return of Federico Albanese and the ever-interesting Martina Bertoni. Worth noting is Fennesz's contribution for Longform Editions, as well as the standout new releases from Lawrence English, Park Jiha and Tim Hecker. (Peppe Trotta)

Italy

The new singles from Baustelle and Calibro 35 open this month's OndaRock Italy Playlist, followed by the return of Messa and a few tracks handpicked from the latest Sanremo Festival. Then there's more from Giungla, C+C Maxigross and one track each from the recent releases by Laura Agnusdei and Giulia Impache, two of the most promising names of the new generation of artists on our peninsula... (Claudio Lancia)

Jazz

OndaRock's jazz year begins without haste: this is a field where time is needed to catch the most stimulating releases. Especially since, as is our way, our paths often develop beyond the boundaries of orthodoxy and its gatekeepers, weaving through electronic contamination, soul/r&b, progressive and singer-songwriter influences, often far from the most well-trodden routes. Without losing sight of some names already in the spotlight, here is our first look at trajectories that are talked about far less, yet increasingly decisive. A taste of what you'll find on our pages in the coming weeks. (Marco Sgrignoli)