First Listen: New Releases for 4 September 2026
Album: Sand
Quick Thoughts: Another golden shoegazey record from Soft Science in a year full of good ones. This one feels bright and fresh even though it has that college radio flair, and I loved every moment.
Songs of Note: "Spinning," "Fade," "Hope"
Album: Age of the Exhibitionist
Quick Thoughts: The Rebecca Black redemption tour (not that she has to be redeemed but you get it) continues with her strongest collection of work yet. "Hot Wet Delirious" deserves to be the Charli xcx-adjacent radio hit of the fall, and "Miss Delicious" is a true banger. This reinvention continues to be rock solid, so make some time for this.
Songs of Note: "Hot Wet Delirious," "Miss Delicious," "Michael." "Waschesalon," "Metamorphia"
Album: Stranger Days
Quick Thoughts: A sort of indie rock love letter to the 2000s era in so many ways, this album from a regional act has a great little mix of things going on that are worth a listen in a busy week of releases. The title track is a real highlight, but check the whole thing out.
Songs of Note: "Coastlines," "Stranger Days," "Procrastinate," "From the Sun"
Album: Switchbacks
Quick Thoughts: Speaking of shoegazey, Hannah Cole is new to me but the heaviness below her airy vocals makes this into something truly special. This one has the danger of flying under the radar, so don't miss it.
Songs of Note: "Switchbacks," "MMA," "Mechanical Bull," "Dancing," "Every New Day"
Album: All Said and Done
Quick Thoughts: The legendary rap supergroup is back with an album that reminds us all that they deserve to be in the conversation. Better with age? Better with experience? I don't know, but this album was highly anticipated for me and still delivered. Mandatory listen.
Songs of Note: "Eyes Wide Shut," "Hard Numbers," "Something in the Air," "Gods and Goats," "Uplifted"
Album: Leashing the Light
Quick Thoughts: A gorgeous singer-songwriter effort with some great piano work and catchy songs. I'm especially partial to "Pyramid," but this feels a lot like an indie Rufus Wainwright record, and it's definitely worth your time in a busy week.
Songs of Note: "Everest," "Pyramid," "Facing the Past (with you)," "I'll Be There"
Album: Pining for Apollo
Quick Thoughts: As excited as I was about Violet Grohl's love letter to 1990s grunge a few months back, I See Orange's effort is perhaps even better. "Mental Rot" feels like the Anna Waronker / Veruca Salt missing link in so many ways, and the whole album is like a newly opened time capsule from WBCN cira 1997. Amazing listen.
Songs of Note: "Mental Rot," "La Bruja," "Wine Boy," "Doll Guts," "Crow Field," "Slept at Last"
Album: How to Get Off the Ground
Quick Thoughts: Altamira's debut is an indie-pop masterpiece from a voice that we'll likely hear more from if there's any justice. "Sell Me This Pen" is an infectious listen that I've been addicted to for weeks, and the whole album delivers a great message along with solid songwriting. Give this a spin.
Songs of Note: "Don't Make It About You," "Sell Me This Pen," "Swallow the Key"
Of Note:
* Dizzie Rascal - We Want Bass (UK Grime king remains undefeated.)
* Natalie Imbruglia - Algorithm
* Soft Loft - Throw the Dice
* The Black Wizards - Force Majeure and The Acts of God
* Windy and Carl and Optigan Conservatory - Windy&Carl Meet Optigan Conservatory
* Soft Vein - All We've Known of Heaven
* Culk - smogstar
* Girlfriend. - Carousel
* Sibelle Attar - Amor Fati
* Wow Okay Cool - If This Is Where It Got Us, What Good Is It?
* Klara Lewis - Opening
* Zara Larsson - Midnight Sun
* Sleep - Hempispheres
* Dale Crover - Glossolalia
* Sofie Royer - before/after
* Arab Strap - Half-Told Tales
* My Ugly Clementine - Apply Autonomy
* Buenos Vampiros - El Ultimo Disparo
* Ecca Vandal - Looking for People to Unfollow
* Chad Crouch - Burnt Lake
* Juliana Hatfield and Eric Payne - Bets
* Grace Mitchell - Daughter of the King
* Angus and Julia Stone - Karaoke Bar
* Ellie Goulding - I Know Too Much
* Adela - PRIMA
EPs:
* Little Big - Three Stripes Nation, Pt. 1
* Tinie Tempah - 12AM
* Molly Tuttle - So Long Little Miss Sunshine (Acoustic EP)
* Glok - GLOK X BYTES
* So Good - Fable
Live Albums / Compilations / Reissues:
* Ben Folds Five - Shelved First Attempt
Also Out:
* Button Masher - Super Button Masher
