Sound Check

Dark corner

This first stretch of 2026 has given us some real treats for fans of dark-folk sounds. First the return of Rome, then the excellent Chimehours, and finally a surprising new track from American blacksters Uada (who have an entirely acoustic record on the way). The Ruins Of Beverast have also toned things down with an album closer to gothic-doom, a sound that Faetooth instead interpret with an approach steeped in pure magical enchantment. For fans of dark clubbing, we flag a couple of genuinely tempting novelties: the late Deutsch-Amerikanische Freundschaft remixed by Terence Fixmer, and the electro (body music) of Local Suicide, here with a truly successful little single. Opening the dance floor, meanwhile, is a fivesome all under the darkwave banner (standouts include the pitch-black synths of Adam Tristar, alongside the much-celebrated She Past Away), while post-black metal fans can dive into the likes of Drudkh, Bizarrekult and Domhain (the section's new crest-bearers). (Paolo Chemnitz)

Electronic

The return of Placid Angles, one of John Beltran's many side projects, a new album from Shackleton, an EP with three new collaborative tracks from Skrillex, a collaboration between Arca and Robyn, an unreleased track shared by Ikonika: these are the most prestigious names opening our selection dedicated to the most interesting sounds fished out of the electro scene in recent months. For dancing, but not only… (Claudio Lancia)

Songwriter

Jana Horn, Marta Del Grandi, Courtney Marie Andrews have made splendid albums, but what really enchants us is the music of the unbeatable Cat Power: it only takes her 10 minutes to work magic. (Daniel Moor)

A slow start for 2026, which at the moment registers the fine collaboration between Julianna Barwick and Mary Lattimore, whose “Tragic Magic” is the year's first section highlight. A perfect rapport, only partly borne out by the quality of the songwriting. Also worth noting is the meditative ambient work of Turkish artist Orkun Akbal, a composed and measured effort that nonetheless feels like it's missing something. We also have a preview courtesy of Maple Death and an excerpt from the second volume of the “Across The Horizon” series: on one side the ritualistic industrial of Mai Mai Mai, on the other the avant-garde layering of Clarice Jensen. (Peppe Trotta)

Italy

A roundup packed with new releases from the first weeks of 2026. We start with a mini selection from Sanremo, then make room for the return of Giulia Impache and Cosmo, the well-received new albums from Marta Del Grandi and Tutti Fenomeni, the brand-new project Sì! Boom! Voilà! (featuring Roberta Sammarelli on bass), the psychedelia of Al Doum And The Faryds, and the uncompromising jazzcore of Zu... (Claudio Lancia)