Music recommendation - Italian post punk and new wave

siberianoia

Idk if someone can be interested in this genre of thread, but let's try!

This will be a very brief guide to Italian post punk and new wave, but if you want to know more details, ask me anything! I really love this side of italian music, very obscure and deep... quite unexpected in a country with a very different tradition.

The Italian New Wave scene between the late 70s and mid-80s was incredibly vibrant, mostly centered around specific cities. Here is a quick breakdown:

1) Bologna: Bologna was the heart of the movement, influenced by the student protests and a very artsy vibe.
​    You can listen to:
     - Confusional Quartet – Confusional Quartet (1980): Fast, chaotic, and brilliant. They made instrumental masterpieces.
​     - Gaznevada – Sick Soundtrack (1980): Pure art-punk and no-wave energy.
     - ​Skiantos – MONO tono (1978): They created "Demential Punk." Essential for understanding Italian irony.
    Bologna was the first city where a record label wanted to promote this movement. Anyway, it was more punk-oriented.

2) Florence (!!): my fav scene. ​Florence had a more "gloomy" and atmospheric sound, very influenced by Joy Division and The Cure, but with its uniqueness.
     I suggest you these albums:
     - Litfiba – 17 Re (1986): Before they became a famous rock band, they were masters of darkwave.
​     - Diaframma – Siberia (1984): Probably the most iconic Italian New Wave album and band. Poetic and cold. The first one to use italian language in the genre and in a fantastic way.
     ​- Neon – Rituals (1985): Great if you love electronic/dark synth sounds.

​3) Pordenone: a small city in the Northeast that created its own isolated, legendary scene called "The Great Complotto.
    - ​The Great Complotto – Pordenone / The Great Complotto (1980): A compilation of various local bands.
    - Tampax – Bastard Day (Single): Raw, provocative punk.

BUSYBEE

Thanks, really very interesting.  i should look some of these bands are featured on Youtube . . .

siberianoia

BUSYBEE replied at 2026-01-20 08:28
Thanks, really very interesting.  i should look some of these bands are featured on Youtube . . .

Yess, you can find a lot of stuff free on youtube about them: albums, videoclips, interviews and docs (but probably without subtitles *sigh*).

mim71

Thanks

scoporific

I've only listened to a couple so far, but I'll definitely work my way through the rest. This is an excellent intro to great music.

Gsells1930

Cool! Thank you!

craftsloverr

thanks for sharing