This Is Italy
Anyone who has been paying attention over the past few years on Spotify, TikTok, Instagram, or in the better clubs (insofar as they still exist) couldn't miss it: Italo disco is making a striking comeback. The synths are back, the bass lines are pumping again like they used to, and those typically melancholic, kitschy vocal lines? They are suddenly totally hip again.
But what exactly is going on? And why is a new generation returning en masse to a sound that had its heyday in the eighties en nineties?
What is Italodisco again?
Italodisco emerged in Italy in the late 70s and grew into an international phenomenon in the 80s. Artists such as Gazebo (I Like Chopin), Ryan Paris (Dolce Vita) and Savage (Only You) defined the sound: dreamy melodies, electronic drums, and a healthy dose of romance. It was music that perfectly suited neon lights, convertibles, and cocktails on the Italian Riviera, and sultry sunsets on the coast.
The revival of Italo disco is therefore no coincidence. In 2026, a few trends converge:
- NostalgiaThe 80s and 90s remain an inexhaustible source of inspiration.
- Spotify & TikTok-trends: obscure tracks now easily get millions of plays
- Synthwave & retro-electro: genres that rely heavily on the same sound
- Vinyl revival: old Italo disco records are being rediscovered
New artists consciously draw on the original sound but give it a modern twist. Think tighter productions, ironic lyrics, and a nod to the past.
Mind Enterprises: standard-bearer of the new Italo disco
If there is one name you need to know in this revival, it is Mind Enterprises.
Mind Enterprises is an Italian Italo-disco project, originally from Turin, led by producer Andrea Tirone, often together with a keyboard player Roberto ConigliaroThe duo blends vintage synthesizers, funky bass lines, and hypnotic drums into a modern take on the sparkling Italo sound of the 80s. They grew into a cult favorite with millions of online views and even sold-out tours in Europe.
The striking music duo has been active since 2015, but has now developed into one of the most notable names within the modern revival of the genre. Their debut album Idealist from 2016 immediately laid the foundation for their distinctive sound, while with recent releases such as Misty Jungle (2025) show that they continue to innovate.
What makes Mind Enterprises so popular is the unique balance between nostalgia and modernity. Their music often sounds as if it comes straight from 1985, complete with warm synthesizers and dreamy melodies, yet is simultaneously tightly and contemporaneously produced.
That combination appeals particularly to an international audience, especially in Northern Europe and within online music communities where the love for retro sounds is strong. Their DIY mentality also helps: many of their releases started as independent projects, which contributes to their authentic and distinctive image.
Tracks like Idol, SHAKE en golden days They are perfect examples of how old and new come together. It feels familiar and fresh at the same time. What also stands out: Mind Enterprises deliberately plays with the clichés of the genre. The vocals are sometimes slightly exaggerated, the visuals are retro to the point of kitsch, but that is precisely what makes it irresistible.
Once starting out with lo-fi gigs from a kitchen in Barcelona, the duo has since built a global cult following, with viral clips and a loyal online fanbase. Their music exudes late-night 70s and 80s nostalgia, Mediterranean dreams, and a hint of cigarette smoke. The world of their latest album Negroni Love that comes out in May feels like a film you actually don't want to get out of.
More modern Italo disco to check out
But Mind Enterprises is not alone, as is always the case with revival trends. There is a whole wave of artists breathing new life into the Italo disco sound:
- Nu Genea: funk, disco and Neapolitan influences
- Sally Shapiro: Scandinavian melancholy with Italo disco DNA
- Chromatics: dreamy synths and cinematic vibes
- The Knocks: modern disco with retro influences
- And you could also classify the megapopular The Weeknd as Italo disco.
Countless DJs and producers are diving en masse into old Italian record crates to replay or sample forgotten gems. Italodisco is more than music. It is a feeling. That typical mix of melancholy and zest for life. And perhaps that is precisely why it is catching on again right now.
In an age where everything is fast and digital, Italodisco offers something we had almost forgotten: atmosphere, emotion, and a touch of escapism. Go back in time with These greatest Italo disco hits from the 80s.
Italodisco on your playlist
Are you going to Italy this summer? Put on an Italo disco playlist during the drive. For example, ours, which you can find below. Chances are your holiday will start before you even cross the border. And if you had to choose one artist to start with: let it be Mind Enterprises. Chances are you won't be able to do without it again.
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