MORRISSEY - Live at Lake Sound Park (Cernobbio) 19_07_2026

 

I stopped following Morrissey in the late '80s, after his time with The Smiths and his debut solo album, Viva Hate in 1988.

Recently, having the opportunity to see him live not far from home, I dusted off and re-listened to my old vinyl records—The Queen Is Dead, Strangeways, Here We Come, and Viva Hate—and checked out some of his more recent work online. Fully prepared, I attended one of the two Italian events on his tour ( Cernobbio on July 19th).

I must say, it was a truly beautiful evening, made even better by the splendid setting of Villa Erba overlooking Lake Como and the perfect weather.

I had expected a nostalgic concert filled only with old Smiths songs, but that wasn’t the case. Despite his age (which shows), Morrissey’s voice remains as captivating and engaging as ever. The setlist alternated between classics from The Smiths era and tracks from his latest solo albums. His backing band was excellent, delivering a crystal-clear sound that complemented his vocals perfectly. On stage, Morrissey was affable and empathetic with the audience, which was diverse and multinational, though not particularly large.

I'm really glad I was there.

HERE: Encore of the concert

CABARET VOLTAIRE - But What Time is it Really ? (2026)

 

The biggest surprise of 2026 so far is the return of Cabaret Voltaire. With the death of Richard  Kirk I didn't think I would ever hear Cabaret Voltaire again.

I was wrong!!! The live performances of their 2025 UK tour were followed in 2026 by new releases and a new 2026 tour  (unfortunately,  Italy is not on the list).

There are LPs and CDs (with different setlists), Bandcamp digital releases and also a lot of youtube videos of the live tour performances.

For those who (like me) cannot attend a concert of this tour, here is a list of links that can be used as  an alternative.

BANDCAMP = cabaretvoltaire.bandcamp.com

YOUTUBE = Cabaret Voltaire live at Élysée Montmartre Paris 2026

YOUTUBE = Cabaret Voltaire Live at AB - Ancienne Belgique

REGRESSIVE LEFT - On the wrong side of history (2022)

 I took note of this name while listening to some Spotify playlist.

Something about their sound caught my attention; perhaps some hints of familiar music (Talking Heads, Devo etc.). But it doesn't matter, it's enough to deepen their knowledge.

This is their first EP (2022) after some single in 2020 and 2021.

ENJOY: On the wrong side of history

A PLACE TO BURY STRANGERS - Rare and Deadly (2026)

 

Just released beginning of April. It's a new release of mostly previously unheard songs recorded between 2015 - 2025. Technically it's not their new album of the band from New York but it works like an album.

The wall-sound of A Place to Bury Strangers cannot leave indifferent who, in the '80s, loved Jesus and Mary Chain and that sound.

On the Bandcamp page of the group, the album is very well summarized "This collection of B-sides, abandoned experiments, and forgotten fragments reveals the band at their most unfiltered-caught between breaktrough ideas and beautiful mistakes "

HEAR: Rare and Deadly

NEUTRALS - New Town Dream (2024)

 

Neutrals are an American band from the San Francisco Bay Area. Theirs is a nostalgic post-punk or, depending on how you interpret it, can also be considered an interestind result of the new indie scene. This "New Town Dream" is their third release after the debut "Kebab Disco" in 2019 and the EP "Bus Stop Night" in 2022. The songs are short (less than 3 minutes), catchy and easy. Wheter you consider it  a "revival" or an "innovative sound" i like it and I consider this a good release.

HERE:New Town Dream

SHRIEKBACK - Jam Science (1984)

 

 

I bought my copy of this album a few years ago at a record fair (10€) and I have to say I always enjoy listening to it. The album is from 1984 and I define the genre as techno-funky, even though Shreikback are classified as "new wave". The band is still active and released their new album "Monument" in 2025. I have to say I prefer Shriekback from the '80s, even though their style and voice remain unmistakable. Here I'm posting a version of Jam Science, not a rip of mine but taken from the web.

HEAR:Jam Science

Maxwell - Now (2001)

 

Yes, I admit I've been listening to a little softer music than usual lately. New soul is currently my top genre, and it's a chance to rediscover otherwise underrated artists.

This is the case with Maxwell and this album in particular. Now was released in 2001, but a remastered version was released in 2021. This link is the 2021 version captured on Spotify.

With this end-of-year post, I wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

HERE: Now (2001) 2021 remastered

WIDOWSPEAK - Plum (2020)

 Widowspeak is a duo based in New York (from Takoma) that propose a kind of music with several influences (indie-dream pop- folk-psychedelic-shoegaze).  They start the activity around 2010 and at a first listening immediately they remember me the anglo-canadian duo of Still Corner. If you appreciate one probably you also like the other and viceversa.

Plum is an album from 2020 and probably my favourite of the several works they released.

HERE: Plum

SOUL II SOUL - The Club Mix Hits (1998)

 

Jumping back almost 30 years, this album was a collection of hits from the best acid jazz music of the era. 

It's still a joy to listen to today and doesn't show its age. 

Enjoy! The Club Mix Hits

ERYKAH BADU - Mama's Gun (2000)

 

A friend of mine suggested we go to a concert in Milan next November. Honestly, I wasn't very familiar with Erykah Badu's name, so I did some research online.

That's how I discovered Erykah's LP "Mama's Gun" (it will be the subject of Erykah's tour). It was a nice surprise for me. I'm a fan of acid jazz and trip hop, and here you can find a good interpretation of this musical genre, combined with a truly special voice that makes this work a masterpiece.

So I'm looking forward to attending one of the 2 concerts scheduled in Italy for next November!!!

HERE : Mama's Gun