First Listen for 30 January 2026
Album: Waking Up
Quick Thoughts: I could not recall whether or not I heard Annabelle Chairlegs's debut album, but I recall enjoying their 2020 effort. It's been more than five years, but we have another winner here: a nice mix of garage rock with traditional alt sensibilities, and singer Lindsey Mackin can outright howl. Absolutely one of my favorites this week, don't miss out.
Songs of Note: "Concrete Trees," "Patty Get Your Gun," "Shoo Fly"
Album: No Love Lost to Kindness
Quick Thoughts: I've been a fan of Yumi Zouma for a while now, from their second EP onward. It's kind of dreampop and kind of shoegazey, and as much as the genre has seen a reniassance of sorts as of late, I feel like Yumi Zouma should be in the conversation more. A song like "Phoebe's Song" fits right in with the best alt-rock trappings out there, and "Blister" has some of the best hooks out this week. The whole album shows why this band is so underrated. Check it out.
Songs of Note: "Phoebe's Song," "Blister," "Drag," "Did You See Her?" "Every False Embrace"
Album: When a Flower Doesn't Grow
Quick Thoughts: It's a shoegaze-heavy week early in the year, and Softcult is back with another great one. Incisive at times, hook-laden in others, and just an overall great listen.
Songs of Note: "16/25," "Pill to Swallow," "Queen of Nothing," "Not Sorry"
Album: Lucky Now
Quick Thoughts: Lande Hekt's solo stuff is always great, and I'm reminded of that every time we get a new album. "Lucky Now" is possibly my favorite song of the week, and "A Million Broken Hearts" feels like the twee Britpop of my dreams. If you haven't gotten on board yet, now's a great time to start.
Songs of Note: "Lucky Now," "Rabbits," "A Million Broken Hearts," "My Imaginary Friend"
Album: Not Here Not Gone
Quick Thoughts: You guessed it, another shoegaze album. Of the lot, this one is more raw and immediate and gives it a sort of lo-fi cred that sets it apart, but "Fade" is this band at its best. Loud, fuzzy guitars and soaring vocals, just a gorgeous combo here.
Songs of Note: "Involuntary Haze," "Fade," "Poppyfields"
Album: I Used to Go to This Bar
Quick Thoughts: Joyce Manor probably stopped being one of those "best kept secrets" a few years ago, but what I can say is that I Used to Go to This Bar is arguably their best effort yet, and a lot of that has to do with the fact that they are expert at letting a song be exactly what it has to be to get its point across. If a song is short, you don't sit and wish it was longer. If a song is a more standard length, you feel like it's just as intentional. It makes their albums a more dynamic listen, and this latest album is one of the best examples of their work so far.
Songs of Note: "Falling Into It," "All My Friends Are So Depressed," "After All You Put Me Through," "The Opossum"
Of note:
* Geologist - Can I Get a Pack of Camel Lights? (Instrumental / experimental from Animal Collective member.)
* Sam Quealy - Jawbreaker (Fun pop / dance.)
* Bartees Strange - Magic Boy
* Sebastian Tellier - Kiss the Beast
* Tashi Dorji - low clouds hang, this land is on fire
* JOSEPH - Closer to Happy
* Rob Smith, Barry Walker, Jr., and Jason Willmon - Paleo Sol
* The Soft Pink Truth - Can Such Delightful Times Go On Forever?
* Cordovas - Back to Life
* Buzzcocks - Attitude Adjustment
* Pomplamoose - Photogenique
* Christo Graham - Good Covers
* Kelly Moran - Don't Trust Mirrors
* Ailbhe Reddy - Kiss Big
* Plantoid - FLARE
* Hello Seahorse! - Montana
* Marta Del Grandi - Dream Life
* Adios Cometa - Un destello de luz
EPs:
* Meels - Across the Raccoon Strait Live albums/Compilations/Reissues:
* Toad the Wet Sprocket - Rings (Acoustic album of their best songs.)
* Beck - Everybody's Gotta Learn Sometime
* Still Motion
* A.G. Cook - The Moment (The Score)
Also out:
* By Storm - My Ghosts Go Ghost
