In a year packed to the brim of electro/synth pop new releases, Madeon gives its contribution with a well crafted selection of electroclash bangers. A refreshing and fun record to listen to. On a sidenote: I will never get over on how this man was able to make such a classic electronic album as "Adventure" at only 20 years of age.

I'm happy to announce that the wait for a proper Muse return to form seems to be finally over. Despite the over-the-top cliché-y grandeur, the new album from Muse is a banger from start to finish, thanks to a full return to the space rock genre they are known for. It's really hard to pick a favourite track, but the synth and guitar arpeggios in "Hexagons" make it a strong contender for the win.

Don Toliver published his new record earlier this year. It's a mainstream release that you'll love if you are into that alternative R&B/rap sound that's currently doing rounds in America. Not my cup of tea, but I LOVE the first track, E85, which features some sharp guitar shredding (coming from the clever sampling of "Chest Pain (I Love)" by Malcolm Todd).

At this point I am pretty sure that Vince Staples will never make a bad album. The latest record "Cry Baby" is a big pivot in sound, EXTREMELY inspired from Paris Texas (which is a big plus in my house). Despite the rock sounding palette, the lyrics are some of the most fearless and confident from Vince: a critic stance on the current leadership leading the USA (as heavily suggested by the album cover and title). A culmination of the very best that West Coast Consciuous Hip Hop has to offer, with some good rap rock as the cherry on top.

'Coi Capelli Sciolti Al Vento / Io Dirigo Il Tempo'. 'Il Giardino del Mago' ('The Wizard's Garden') is a hypnotic suite from Banco del Mutuo Soccorso's 1972 self-titled album. An ancestral 20-minute musical adventure with many twists and turns, sounding like an album within the album itself. A staple in Italian prog and one of my favourite tracks by B.D.M.S. (not to be confused with B.D.S.M.). One day I'll try to learn the organ solo starting at the 11:40 mark.

The first BOC album in 13 years is a demanding first listen. It sounds to me like the evil brother of "Geogaddi", another album from the Scottish duo that I love. So many good tracks but I have to pick one: let's go with "Memory Death". Degraded synths, buried melodies and the raw, somehow nostalgic sound of a medical machine: a lesson in human fragility, and a reminder to have fun while we can as this game of life doesn’t last forever. Ok, maybe I'm just projecting too much.

"Third World Man" is the closer of Gaucho and the last track from the classic era of Steely Dan discography before the 20 year hiatus. A song featuring a rich, layered instrumentation and an outro that, given the discography perspective, really sounds like a warm goodbye to the 70s. The rest of the album is just as legendary and the product of obsessive perfectionism: over a year in the studio and more than 40 different session musicians cutting up analog master tapes to stitch together this monster of a record.

This week we go 100% mainstream. My appreciation for some of Drake's music is no news at this point. I am not interested in the feud with Kendrick Lamar, but you are free to pick a side. As expected, the opening track addresses the beef: in "Make them cry" Drake talks about the aftermath of it and explains how it impacted his mental health. Call me naive, but I liked it. It's not his best work, but it's far from his worst (which lately seems to be the new standard).

A special closing to a special album from Action Bronson. After 12 tracks packed with the usual bravado, the last track of "Planet Frog" finds Bronson flipping the scripting with one of the most introspective verses of its career. No punchlines, no fireworks, just a man coming to terms with time and his fear of becoming a stranger to the woman he loves.

"This Old Dog" is by far my favourite Mac DeMarco record. Deeply honest and heartfelt, with "Moonlight on the River" being no exception: a bittersweet message from Mac to an absent father and a reminder of what loving somebody that hurts us feels like. “It’s so strange deciding / how I feel about you”. The haunting outro perfectly encapsulate this feeling.

Really enjoying the new EP from Nicolaj Serjotti, blending traditional hip-hop motifs with more experimental productions. Track 2, called "New York 2010", features a haunting, dreamlike childhood memory of the singer over a beat that reminds me of something from early MIKE projects ("May God Bless Your Hustle" is the first album that comes to mind).

This week's pick is the highly anticipated collaboration between Nine Inch Nails and Boys Noize, which has finally been released under the "Nine Inch Noize" moniker after some teasers earlier this month. Truly spectacular: some of the remixes on this album elevate Trent's past discography to a new high.

It's the dawn of the new millennium. Your parents bought you Wipeout 3 for the PlayStation, and you spend your summer mornings mastering it, one antigravity circuit after another. Then, you pull the disc from the console and slide it into your father’s car stereo. Like magic, that game disc is now an audio CD. You’re experiencing a masterclass playlist of progressive electronic and big beat, featuring legendary contributions from artists like The Chemical Brothers and The Future Sound of London. Y2K at its finest.

I am fully convinced that 'Il sogno di Maria' is, and will remain, the most beautiful italian song ever: a stunning narrative of the Archangel visiting the Virgin Mary, written by an author known more for his skepticism than his faith. That is exactly what makes the track a masterpiece: elevating a supernatural event into a raw, deeply human encounter.

Being a fan of Ye is probably the most toxic relationship I’ll ever have. He was the catalyst for my love of music and production, and I’ll always consider him one of the most talented artists of the century. Sadly, in recent years, his refusal to stay on a consistent medication regimen has led to a series of rants and tantrums that aren't backed by enough quality music to justify them. Occasionally, flashes of his former genius light up again, and it is these moments that I celebrate. 'ALL THE LOVE,' from his latest album Bully, is one of those special moments. It has that 'magic touch' that, despite everything, draws people back to him. A special mention must go to André Troutman’s talkbox contributions, truly a match made in heaven.

"Love in a time of chaos". James Blake's latest album is a powerful record, from the vocals to the production to the songwriting. The occurrence of someone with the talent to do all this with such consistency is not usual, so let's cherish it. Many beautiful cuts on this one, so it's really difficult to pick one. I'll go with "Didn't Come To Argue": love the sudden style changeup and the lush vocals and strings that precede it.

I got this album as a link in a Microsoft Teams work chat: a place where one would expect to get useless PowerPoints and boring tasks. For once, thanks to a good friend and colleague, I struck gold and was graced with peak Drum and Bass. Probably not the best album if you have a migraine, but the BEST on every other occasion.

Got curious and took the occasion of a new album to listen to some Harry Styles, an artist a friend of mine is very enthusiastic about (hi Jaya). A bit outside my usual rotation, but I have to admit that I really appreciated some of the cuts from it. 'Pop' is a first-listen standout, very Tame Impala-esque in both production and energy. Huge credits to the insane, plucky bass at the end of the track; it’s so loud that it fucks up the lows on my headphones.

The new Gorillaz album is out and it's a beauty. It gave me a sense of wonder that I was chasing since the release of Plastic Beach, a project that completely rewired my taste in music at 13 years old (let’s be honest: nobody listens to "Empire Ants" at that age and stays the same). This new album is a celebration of death and the strength needed to move forward, using traditional Hindu music as the foundation for the musical themes. Both Albarn and his Gorillaz co-creator, artist Jamie Hewlett, lost their fathers in 2024 and processed their grief with a trip to India. Albarn scattered his dad’s ashes in the river Ganges, embracing the country’s “more open and positive outlook on death”. The Sweet Prince is a heartfelt tribute to his father’s memory.

This week we talk about "Telegraph Road", a tale about the rise and fall of American industry from the perspective of a Michigan road. A stunning masterpiece by Dire Straits, a band I was introduced to by my father when I was very young. The song’s architecture is perfect: the way it builds through recurring themes, the evocative storytelling in the lyrics, and, of course, Mark Knopfler in its prime: every element hits exactly as it should.

As promised, I had to jump back into this new J. Cole record. With its ambitious length of 1 hour and 40 minutes (!), the record keeps the artist's promise to deliver a solid project as a closer to his career (though I'm pretty sure it won't be his last one). Lots of tracks to save but I'm really liking "Drum n Bass," with its laid-back storytelling and a beat reminiscent of the ones I heard on "2014 Forest Hills Drive" years ago.

Everyone is talking about this "Marty Supreme" movie, so I bought a ticket. It was good: a beautiful and infuriating tale of an egotistical character in pursuit of a dream. However, at least for me, the soundtrack from Daniel Lopatin (aka Oneohtrix Point Never) completely stole the show. A masterclass on prog electronic that works both in the movie context and as a standalone album.

It’s hard to match the chaotic, erratic beauty of By Storm, the “double trio” rising from Injury Reserve’s ashes after Groggs’ passing in 2020. The grief that made their last project "By The Time I Get To Phoenix" so special is still haunting this album (and hurting my feelings in just the right way).

James Blake's music stands apart as a distinctive sound in contemporary music, and his latest single from the upcoming album is no exception. Dark, ominous, and haunting, with fantastic sound design that elevates the bass and orchestral elements.

"For the past 10 years, this album has been hand crafted with one intention: a personal challenge to myself to create my best work". With this introduction the curtain finally opens, revealing the first single from "The Fall Off", a project that J. Cole has teased since my early uni days. The first single is a retrospective of his own life, reversing its narrative from the moment of his demise up to the womb. The result is immaculate: refined smooth production with lyrical density off the charts.

I’m a huge fan of the blend of electronic and organic textures found throughout Bon Iver’s recent studio albums. I still remember hearing "22, A Million" for the first time back in 2016 and being completely absorbed by it. At that time, he shattered expectations trading his signature folk for glitchy textures and warped vocals. Yet lately, I keep returning to “S P E Y S I D E,” a track from the last album that strips everything away, leaving only an acoustic guitar and a devastating story of regret. A powerful return to the basics.

Nothing better than some jazz fusion to get this 2026 off to a great start. 'Head Hunters' from Herbie Hancock is a staple of the genre, and 'Chameleon' a personal favourite from the album. From the 4th minute onward, the ARP Odyssey synth comes through and starts gliding all over the place: the rest is history.

Nas and DJ Premier's latest collaboration is a tribute to the golden era of boom bap, delivered by two of the most revered veterans from that time. A personal standout is "GiT Ready" with its infectious snare and basslines, combining old styles with new formulas. It was so infectious that it took me six listens to realise that the lyrics were laced with crypto references. But, honestly, can you really blame the man? He was in on it early and got stupidly rich from it.

Marco Castello’s latest record is a breath of fresh air. The album is packed with groovy tracks and lyrics with sharp humor, yet grounded in social commentary. In "Editto dal Sottoscoglio", challenging the systems that have long weighed on his homeland, he imagines a triumphant yet surreal victory over the military forces currently residing at Sigonella, dreaming of lush forests growing in place of AWACS and Global Hawks.

Well, I think I'm beyond saving at this point. A second Franco Califano hit the Scuderia in 2025. From the late seventies to the early eighties, "il Califfo" produced his most critically acclaimed albums. Disliked by many, adored by others, the first song on its "...tuo Califano" album is a masterpiece of melancholy - a common theme in most of his music.

This year, I mistakenly let Geese’s latest album, "Getting Killed", slip under my radar. This new record is amazing, and I'll be revisiting it in 2026. The opening track, “Trinidad” is a standout with its heavily distorted drums and sharp riffs. Happy to see that a "From The Basement" live rendition is available and that it's even better than the album one.

This week I watched "The Smashing Machine", a new flick from A24 telling the story of Mark Kerr, a mixed martial artist consumed by his relentless pursuit of perfection and meaning in life. Beyond its compelling storytelling and stunning visuals, the film’s music stands out as a powerful narrative force, with Nala Sinephro’s OST perfectly encapsulating the turbulence of Kerr’s psyche.

Currently mesmerized by the retro sounds of the latest Oneohtrix Point Never album. Glitchy soundscapes full of textures and details with 'D.I.S.' being a personal favorite. FYI, the track is paired with one of the best music videos I've seen this year.

"The Sword & The Soaring" is truly a blissful album: a selection of poems dealing on grief, loss and the quiet strength that rises from hardship. "Tale of Truth" with its lush orchestral crescendos is a standout on both lyrics and production.

NIN are a gift that keeps on giving. This time, I fell in love with the visceral buildup of "The Way Out Is Through" from "The Fragile". A slow burn leading to a super-abrasive guitar section with Trent Reznor screaming at the top of his lungs.

A babel of languages, an orchestral crescendo, a Björk feature and a Mike Tyson sample: a curious series of lead single choices for an upcoming album. Maybe too much? Never too much.

To tribute the late Ozzy Osbourne, this week's pick is "Planet Caravan", also known as "the perfect OST for a late night drive at the the edge of the world". Its album placement between "Paranoid" and "Iron Main" really lets you appreciate the beauty in the contrasts.

The singles leading to the album were right: this new Soulwax album marks a return to the gritty, electrifying sound that hooked me years ago. So many good tracks on there but "Hot Like Sahara" is something else: raw energy and a super intoxicating buildup on the last part. This track made me run faster on the last 10km run and I have my smartwatch data as proof. Just saying.

The first time I heard 'Invaders Must Die' I was 14 years old and it hit me like a sledgehammer. A noisy, playful record packed with bangers and with some top-notch sampling, as thrilling to play as it was back then. My younger self loved the title track but this time I'm going with "Piranha": most people say it's the worst track on the record but, as sometimes happens, I strongly disagree.

I’ve never liked albums that cram political statements in just for the sake of it, as they end up feeling like preachy rants. "Joy as an Act of Resistance" is the perfect counterexample. It delivers important messages with charm and authenticity through a burst of punk brilliance. Within that record, "Danny Nedelko" stands out as a certified banger.

"Locanda delle Fate" stands as one of Italy’s most regarded progressive rock bands of the 1970s. Their debut album "Forse le lucciole non si amano più" ("maybe fireflies don't love each other anymore") is considered by many a staple of the genre. The title track, a sprawling ten-minute fable, merges together delicate flutes, lush keyboards, and a hauntingly melancholic atmosphere that perfecly capture the bittersweet essence of summer’s end.

I periodically come back to "Pigro" ("Lazy"), my favourite record from Ivan Graziani. This time it's because of "Scappo di Casa" ("I run from home"), the closer of the album. A delicate song that beautifully describes the internal struggle of a boy whose wings are clipped by his mother’s overprotectiveness. Yet, despite this suffocating fate, his desire to discover the unexplored world of love is stronger than his parents' paranoia.

Action Bronson. The only one capable of say "Ever since a fetus, I had visions of a leader / Purple X6 truck driven by a cheetah" with a straight face and be totally believable while doing it. "Live from the Moon" is one of those cases where the album version is good but the live one completely blows it out of the park. The Tiny Desk version of this track, ending with an otherworldly sax solo by Yung Mehico, is 100% worth a listen if you haven't already.

I'm a big fan of the relaxing, laid-back tracks from Earl Sweatshirt: furthermore, I'm happy to hear that he is now in a better place, surrounded by the love of its family and its community. "Live, Laugh, Love" is basically the Yang of "Some Rap Songs", another record from him that I loved, masterfully balancing themes of depression and despair with glimmers of hope. "Tourmaline" stands out as a celebration of the light finally breaking through.

Always down to listen to some new Flume. He's truly one of the most unique electronic artists of our generation and a trailblazer of the future bass genre. This new collaboration with Emma Louise is really great too, with her soothing voice really complementing the glitchy soundscapes. "Shine, Glow, Listen" is one of my favorites: it reminds me of something that SOPHIE would have produced.

This summer I spent a few days in Corsica, a stunning island with rich culture, a strong identity and welcoming people. Tuning into local radio stations, I took a deep dive in Corsican popular music. Among the artists I discovered, "I Muvrini" became a personal favorite. Their song "A rombu di cantà" is a folk ballad with a melancholic yet uplifting chorus, dealing with themes of resilience and hope in difficult times.

Franco Califano was one of Italy’s most iconic figures of the 1970s, embodying the archetype of the strong yet vulnerable man: charismatic with women, yet restless and unsatisfied. "Tac", the title track from one of his most celebrated albums, is a masterclass in bittersweet nostalgia: a reflection on missing someone only when they’re gone, and longing for solitude when they are back. The lush instrumentation and Franco’s silky voice blend seamlessly and, with this retro-futuristic allure, the opening moments of this track could almost be mistaken for a lost cut from Random Access Memories.

Kevin Parker is setting the stage for his upcoming album. The new track caught me completely off guard and 100% works as a declaration of intent: don't expect the sound you want for me because you won't get it there. Here's an entrancing seven-minute house deep cut instead. Love it.

This week I revisited "Thirst", the second studio album by the renowned French electronic artist SebastiAn. I was lucky enough to catch one of his rare performances in Paris last year: an experience I’d call both a flex and a privilege. The album faced immense pressure, tasked with living up to the hype of its predecessor "Total", widely regarded as a masterpiece of the genre. The attempt was made, and it gave its best effort: "Movement" is a spectacular, abrasive crescendo and a remarkable feat of production.

Nobody expected a new album from Tyler The Creator so early, given that less than a year has passed since Chromakopia. This surprise drop is a fun dive into 80s rhythms, in contrast with the more heavy content from the previous record. "Ring Ring Ring" is a personal favorite with a distinctive MJ inspired groove.

It seems like nowadays, one cannot enjoy some mainstream pop music anymore. I'm up for intricate sounds and groundbreaking genres, but sometimes you have to take a break and enjoy something like a R&B soul Justin Bieber album in 2025. If anything, we have to make up for the abuse we collectively piled on the kid when he was just an innocent kid with a dream. I really like "Daisies" - the Mk.Gee production feat may be the reason.