First Listen: New Releases for 11 and 18 September 2026
Album: Believer
Quick Thoughts: It could be easy, at first glance, to write off Angela Autumn as another rootsy singer with a unique vocal delivery, but there's something different about her that sets this album apart. For me, I was hooked the moment I heard "Electric Lizard" for the first time, but this record offers song after song of compelling, different, and memorable music. "Mountain Stream" is a sonic delight, "Millionaire Money" a fairly straightforward-yet-earwormy take, and by the time my first listen was through, I knew I'd be digging through her back catalog. A great listen.
Songs of Note: "Heavy Tobacco," "Mountain Stream," "Bleach Bugs," "Millionaire Money," "Electric Lizard"
Album: Pylon
Quick Thoughts: Of the female singer-songwriters who rose over the last decade, I feel like the Boygenius Industrial Complex has crowded out other worthy competitors to the throne, of which beabadoobee deserves part of the conversation. Her albums have been great, and this latest, Pylon, is no different. Lots of great tracks that straddle that alt-rock / singer-songwriter vibe, with "Radio" one of the major highlights here. Just a great record from a great artist.
Songs of Note: "Sun Has Set," "Switchblade," "In Motion," "Memories," "Nothing to Prove," "Radio," "Powerlines"
Album: Modernism
Quick Thoughts: If I have any complaints about Perennial, it's that their albums are over too soon. Modernism is the latest 20-minute blast of alt-punk, this time with a mod twist that makes so much sense in context and turns Perennial into a band that literally no other group sounds like. The template works wonders across the entire album, but songs like "Perennial '65" and "The Beat Scene" (the latter of which feels like ? and the Mysterians emerging from underground New York punk rock clubs) really drive home the fact that they are a truly special band that deserves its due. One of the best of the year, without a doubt.
Songs of Note: "Modernism," "Perennial '65," "The Beat Scene," "Ready! Steady! Go!"
Album: Cover to Cover
Quick Thoughts: In terms of rootsy cover albums, there is no lack of options, but AJ Lee and Blue Summit's effort here is really great. Not only does it mix up a lot of traditional stuff with modern music, but the selections are great - I'm always down for a good Sheryl Crow cover, and this might be one of my favorite versions of "Stillhouse." Make time for this one.
Songs of Note: "Wish I Could Say," "Soak Up the Sun," "Tear My Stillhouse Down," "It Takes One to Know One"
Album: Ow ∞
Quick Thoughts: I've been a fan of Sylvan Esso for a while, but really got into "Ferris Wheel" from around the pandemic times. This new album, long-awaited as it can be, levels the duo up in some really interesting ways. "Hot Slob" might be their most straightforward pop song in ages, "Sledge" a catchy and angsty track, and "Concrete Glen" perhaps one of the more perfect distillations of the Sylvan Esso sound overall. An absolutely worthy listen.
Songs of Note: "Hot Slob," "Concrete Glen," "Sledge," "Jessica," "Plastic Sword"
Album: Sweet Animal
Quick Thoughts: The best way I can describe Cricket Blue is Noble Dust by way of Hem. Gorgeous folk music with some stark instrumentation that feels almost classical in its approach. It's a truly gorgeous record in a way I didn't expect, and one you should add to the rotation.
Songs of Note: "Again, Again," "Supplanter," "Landfills, Gardens, Nurseries," "Catechism," "Athanasy"
Album: The Godbody LP
Quick Thoughts: A collaborative effort between members of the Dogg Pound Gangstaz and the Wu-Tang Clan, this album does a great job showcasing why Kurupt is an underrated name in the 1990s-era rap scene, as well as demonstrating how well classic Wu-Tang production compliments it. Check it out.
Songs of Note: "DPG - WU TANG, WU TANG - DPG," "Rock Ya Body," "Push the Button," "Is It Love," "Thelonius," "I'm Good," "Rabbit"
Album: These Killing Times
Quick Thoughts: If Chelsea Wolfe was channelling Lana Del Ray on her most recent album, Emma Ruth Rundle might be working to take Wolfe's doom folk mantle. It's definitely more PJ Harvey in parts, but the sort of heavy alt sound that Rundle is leaning into here feels built for me personally, and I found myself thinking about this album a lot since my first listen. Give it some time.
Songs of Note: "Powerless," "Anvil," "Catherine Wheel," "Enough"
Of Note:
* Wasia Project - Nocturne (Don't sleep on "Bleeding Gold")
* Carly Rae Jepsen - Day and Night (Double album of pop goodness.)
* This is Lorelei - The Singer in My Band
* The Albert Square - I (Wish I Could) Talk to People.
* Jake Xerxes Fussell - The Old Beloved Path
* Rhiannon Giddens - Hope is the Thing With Feathers
* The Mary Wallopers - Paddywhackery
* Echo and the Bunnymen - Apples for Isaac
* Thee Sinseers - Love Stories
* Chad Crouch - Durham Night Soundwalk
* Windy & Carl - Portal
* Slothrust - What They Grow in the Garden
* Jake Blount - Single-Footing Horse
* Kristen Hersh - Sugar on Blackstone
* Pretty Sick - Anarchy
* Colin Stetson and Brighde Chaimbeul - All the light in the world
* Little Kid - No Father But God
* Eli Paperboy Reed - Getting There
* Son Lux - Out Into
* Frankie Rose - HILA
* Twilark - Never Learned the Tide
* The Exbats - My Dinner With Crumar
* Bonobo - Distance in Static
* Shudder to Think - Curses, Spells, Voodoo, Mooses
* Sorcha Richardson - Draw the Outline
* Charlemagne Palestine - KKAARREENNIINNAA
* Nicole Atkins - Drama
* Babehoven - I see them, I see me
* Scarves - Strays Forever
* Pokey LaFarge - Rent Money
* EEP-OOP - Choices
* Orville Peck - Mule
* Rodrigo y Gabriela - OurHome
* ShitKid - The Essential (Vol. 2)
* Loraine James - It's Nothing Personal
* The Unheard Ones - Stories and Songs
* OTTA - Pele De Mar
* The Drin - I Lost My Way for Centuries
* Empress Of - Dream House
* Freak Slug - Amulet
* Katie Pruitt - Fools for the Fleeting
* Team Dresch - Furthermore
* Slow Pulp - Melodie
EPs:
* Baxter Hall - The Work
* Billions - I Put My Hand Inside the Mouth of a Goat
* Scene Queen - Metalicious
* Young Man Winter - Get Home
Live Albums / Compilations / Reissues:
* The French - TV Themes
* Bonnie "Prince" Billy - Ghosts of American Psychonauts
Also Out:
Bloc Party - Anatomy of a Brief Romance
