Category 2026

Pristine R&B or raw roots rock? Pick your poison – both are impressive. Ravyn Levae Blue Island 2026, 8.5/10R&B artist Ravyn Levae is writing some of my favourite songs of 2026. She has an interesting background – her grandfather is…

Two very different, yet sincere, acts this week. The smooth British neo-soul of Cleo Sol, and the country punk of Twisted Teens. Cleo Sol Gentlewoman 2026, 8.5/10Cleo Sol is better known as the lead singer of Sault, but she’s also…

The abrasive sounds of Robber Robber and the smooth, guitar-fuelled alternative R&B of Kelela. Enjoy! Robber Robber Two Wheels Move the Soul 2026, 7.5/10Nina Cates and Zack James started playing together in high school in Brattleboro, Vermont. Both experienced housing…

I guess if today’s two bands joined forces, they could be Texan Twisted Terns? Twisted Teens Florida Water Blues 2026, 7.5/10New Orleans cowpunk band Twisted Teens are one of the indie it bands of 2026. They’ve already released two studio…

Eccentric New York art-rock and slick adult R&B. I’d be impressed if any reader enjoys both of these new releases. Nirosta Steel My Skyscraper 2026, 9/10My favourite album of 2026 so far is a compilation of recordings from 1984 to…

A pop artist pretending to be rock, a pop artist who’s actually tough and abrasive, and an ambient/electronic/jazz LP Read on … Charli XCX Music, Fashion, Film 2026, 8/10In a 2025 interview, Charlotte Aitchison discussed feeling “barren” after completing Brat…

It’s like we’re back in the 1990s this week, with excellent albums from Scottish electronic duo Boards of Canada and English singer-songwriter Beth Orton. Boards of Canada Inferno 2026, 8.5/10Brothers Mike Sandison and Marcus Eoin have been together in Boards…

It’s a week of remaking and remodelling. Former Black Midi bassist Cameron Picton goes (sort of) solo with My New Band Believe. Avant-garde musicians Bill Orcutt and Mabe Fratti collaborate on Almost Waking. My New Band Believe My New Band…

Two distinctive artistic visions this week. Enjoy the everything-but-the-kitchen-sink approach of British neo-soul singer Raye, and the arty precision of Wendy Eisenberg. Wendy Eisenberg Wendy Eisenberg 2026, 7.5/10Wendy Eisenberg combines country instrumentation like banjo and pedal steel with the precise…

I’m weirdly short of new releases to cover at the moment – it’s been a quiet few weeks. Enjoy the retro sounds of The Lemon Twigs and the late-night chill of Arlo Parks. Arlo Parks Ambiguous Desire 2026, 7/10From Nigerian…

It’s a low-key week – Kacey Musgraves returns to traditional-sounding Americana on Middle of Nowhere, while Glenn Donaldson is back with another gorgeous record of jangle-pop. Kacey Musgraves Middle of Nowhere 2026, 7/10Kacey Musgraves made her name with traditional-sounding country…

Two polar opposites this week – mainstream dance-pop from Jessie Ware and experimental fare from Joshua Chuquimia Crampton. Joshua Chuquimia Crampton Anata 2026, 7/10Joshua Chuquimia Crampton was involved in one of my favourites from last year – he recorded Los…

It’s an unusually rocking week – the microtonal art rock of Angine de Poitrine and the punk of Joyce Manor Angine de Poitrine Vol.II 2026, 8/10If Geese were the breakout indie act of 2025, Quebecois math-rock duo are 2026’s newly…

Two albums inspired by darkness and turmoil this week. Courtney Marie Andrews reports that she wrote Valentine during “a dark period of the world”, while The New Pornographers’ music is also inspired by global chaos. The New Pornographers The Former…

If you look at my favourite album per year list, both of these artists have already had a year’s best album this decade. The two albums this week are the sequels, and they’re both excellent. Avalon Emerson Written Into Changes…

Two very different albums this week – the succinct, retro power-pop of Mod Lang, and the sprawling, forward-looking house of Sun-El Musician. I like both artists, but both albums are a little flawed. Read on for details! Mod Lang Borrowed…

Always welcome, Dina Ögon deliver another album of smooth Scandinavian pop. American neo-soul singer Jill Scott is back for her first album in more than a decade. Dina Ögon Människobarn 2026, 8/10Swedish band Dina Ögon comprise lead vocalist Anna Ahnlund,…

Three female solo artists this week. Mitski and Hemlocke Springs deliver conceptual albums, while L.A. Mitchell is back with her first solo album in decades. Mitski Nothing’s About To Happen To Me 2026, 7.5/10On 27 August 2018, Mitski released the…

It’s an uncharacteristically rocking week. Ratboys play rootsy rock and roll, while Mandy, Indiana find the previously uncharted sweet spot between industrial rock and synth-pop. Ratboys Singin’ To An Empty Chair 2026, 8/10Chicago band Ratboys play rootsy, emotional rock and…

We’re stuck in the UK this week – the deadpan post-punk of Dry Cleaning, and Charli XCX’s Gothic literature soundtrack. Dry Cleaning Secret Love 2026, 8/10South London post-punk band Dry Cleaning expand their horizons on their third album. On their previous records,…

It’s an especially eclectic bunch this week – the ambient collaboration of Julianna Barwick and Mary Lattimore, the funk of Sault, and Titanic’s concise progressive rock. Julianna Barwick and Mary Lattimore Tragic Magic 2026, 8.5/10Harpist Mary Lattimore and vocalist/producer Julianna…