First Listen: New Releases for the Start of 2026
Album: The Demise of Planet X
Quick Thoughts: Ken was on the Sleaford bandwagon fairly early, and while it took me a little while to join him, I can't deny the unique and singular energy the duo brings to the table these days. Judging by the list of guests here (ranging from Game of Thrones actress Gwendoline Christie to a surprise Sue Tompkins), everyone else is getting smart to it as well. This is Sleaford at their finest - a great mix of songs reminiscent of their early efforts with a lot of modern flair and political commentary. A really brilliant record that sets the bar for 2026 quite well.
Songs of Note: "The Good Life," "Elitist G.O.A.T.," "No Touch," "The Demise of Planet X," "Gina Was," "Flood the Zone," "Kill List"
Album: The Dreamin' Kind
Quick Thoughts: My first experience with Langhorne Slim was his opening for Clem Snide sometime two decades ago. His earnest country-tinged folk style won me over from the start but hasn't always translated itself to his recordings. The Dreamin' Kind, in contrast, feels the closest to what I felt when I saw him twenty years ago, with soaring anthems aligned with confessional folk, and I loved every moment. One of the best of the week.
Songs of Note: "Dream Come True," "Loyalty," "On Fire," "Rickety Ol' Bridge," "Haunted Man"
Album: KUNTOLOGY 101
Quick Thoughts: This one was a random new release that hit my radar, and it is electric. A bonkers rap record that holds absolutely nothing back, the influencer-turned-actress shows a range here that I don't think anyone saw coming. This is more an EP than an album, but we're talking about a collection of songs here that punch well above their weight class, and I'm looking forward to what comes next.
Songs of Note: "Nana," "404," "Miniskirt," "Bop It," "Bass Down Low"
Album: Empty Hands
Quick Thoughts: The saga of Poppy continues with her latest metal-influenced pop album. While Negative Spaces felt like a return to form in many regards, Empty Hands largely completes the Poppy.Computer reboot and ends up being her most essential record since I Disagree. Lots of solid, great ideas throughout this album and it balances the heavy and poppy (heh) parts very well. Worth your time.
Songs of Note: "Public Domain," "Time Will Tell," "Bruised Sky," "Eat the Hate"
Album: e.t.d.s
Quick Thoughts: I didn't know IDK before this week, and I was surprised at how much of this mixtape I truly loved. Between the deft collaborative choices and the really solid sampling and flow throughout, this is a really solid rap album that came out of nowhere for me. Make time.
Songs of Note: "P.O," "CLOVER," "SCARY MERRi," "LiFE 4 A LiFE"
Album: Records 2 Relate 2
Quick Thoughts: I didn't want to lose sight of this dreampop-ish debut effort from Cassette Tape, which serves as a super-polished, incredibly addictive listen with a ton of hooks and moments that stuck with me long after first listen. Definitely worth your attention, and worth a breakthrough for something this well put together.
Songs of Note: "Go-getter," "Spring Season," "Dream Girl," "Dear Diary"
Of note:
* Tessa Rose Jackson - The Lighthouse (fka Someone; great folky stuff.)
* SASSY 009 - Dreamer+ (Solid pop stuff.)
* Pearl Charles - Desert Queen (Retro goodness.)
* Christian Loffler - Until We Meet Again
* Sky Valley Mistress - Luna Mausoleum
* The Format - Boycott Heaven
* Catherine Britt - The Hardest Thing
* Goldfinger - Nine Lives
* Lisasinson - Desde Cuando Todo
* Sunset images - Oscilador
* Diogo Strausz - Dance Para Se Salvar
* Ya Tseen - Stand On My Shoulders
* Searows - Death in the Business of Whaling
* PVA - No More Like This
* Sammy Brue - The Journals
* Chad Crouch - Mr. Tabor Rain Soundwalk
* Victoryland - My Heart is a Room With No Cameras In It
* Keep Shelly in Athens - V
* Lucinda Williams - World's Gone Wrong
* The Stripp - Life Imitates Art
* Ski Team - Burnout/Boys
* Kleo - Event Horizon
* Kissed by an Animal - Middle Distance
* Sis and the Lower Wisdom - Saints and Aliens
* Will Epstein - Yeah, mostly
* Courtney Marie Anders - Valentine
* Erik Hall - Solo Three
* Glom - Below
* Spider Taylor - Surge Studio Music
* Mori Blanck - Black Lake
* Woolbright - hellbent // heavensent
* Dry Cleaning - Secret Love
* Caution - Peripheral Vision
* Sault - Chapter 1
* Hedda Gamma - Language is Our Tuning System
* Rifle - Rifle
* Six Going on Seven - Human Tears
* Kate de Rosset - It Will Burn
* Oxis - Oxis 8
* Julianna Barwick and Mary Lattimore - Tragic Magic
* The Sha La Das - Your Picture
* Winged Wheel - Desert So Green
* Robohands - Oranj
* Faine - With Vein, With Letter
* Sylvia Black - Shadowtime
* Tyler Ramseyt and Carl Broemel - Celestun
* Melody's Echo Chamber - Unclouded
* Alexander Wolfe - Everythinglessness
* Jenny on Holiday - Quicksand Heart
* Nectarine Girl - Good Excuses for Laziness
* De Fem - Rojo Despertar
* Ishaaq Aarkistra - Arikomban Space
* Damndest - What Did We Expect?
* Jana Horn - Jana Horn
* Craven Faults - Sidings
* The Lowest Pair - Always As Young As We'll Ever Be
* American Road in New Jersey - American Road in New Jersey
EPs:
* Draag - Miracle Drug
* Cat Power - Redux
* Carsie Blanton - The Red Album Vol. 2
* After - Something I Never Said
* Westside Cowboy - So Much Country 'Till We Get There
* Trickpony - 24/7 Heaven
* Isabelle Stillman - The Fun One!
* Bus Crush - Star of the Show
* Sweatson Klank - Perhaps
Live albums/Compilations/Reissues:
* Xiu Xiu - Xiu Motha Fuckin' Xiu: Vol. 1 (Collection of their COVID-era cover songs.)
* The Deslondes - Holy Cross Blues (Digital re-release of pre-Deslondes-era album.)
* Portable - African Ambient Live at Funkhaus
* Kyle Gass Band - Live in Palmdale
* Sally Shapiro - Ready to Live a Lie (The Remixes)
* Barry Adamson - SCALA!!!
Also out:
* Kashus Culpepper - Act I
* A$AP Rocky - Don't Be Dumb
* Robbie Williams - Britpop
