BTS: ARIRANG

BTS is back after a stint in the military. Their latest is called ARIRANG and it's splendid. I must dance (awkwardly) when I listen to it. 

Opening track...

Spencer Thomas: Cynical Vision

Spencer Thomas! Wow, what an absolute gem. His latest is called Cynical Vision and it is simply transplendent. This Jackson, MS lad knows how it bring it!

Boss!

Ladytron: Paradises

Complete and utter genius outfit Ladytron is back with Paradises. You will feel like you are in a paradise as you listen to these Liverpool legends. It is both transportative and transformative. 

Dig it!

Jack Harlow: Monica

Louisville's own Jack Harlow is back with a wonderful new record called Monica. Can an artist have a cool vibe and be ridiculously playful at the same time? Indeed!

Check out that combo...

Morrisey: Make-up is a Lie (Album of the Week)

The coolest human on the planet (according to him mostly but the rest of us have to concede it's true) is back with a new record called Make-up is a Lie. The Moz is back in fine form with a collection of 12 songs (aka THE perfect and required number of songs on a record) that are powerful and dragon level awesome.

Opening track...

Ridiculously awesome track...

My favorite track...

It's the vibe, folks, That Moz Vibe!

The Orielles: Only You Left

The pride of West Yorkshire is back with a wispy and wonderful new record called Only You Left. The Orielles are entirely plugged into THAT vibe and we should all be grateful for it!

One of my faves...

The Sophs: Goldstar

LA'S own The Sophs have just dropped their debut record and is quite a wonderful weird pile of shit. Goldstar is a collection of 10 ridiculously off kilter noise that I just love and can't recommend enough.

One of my faves...

Daniel Romano and The Outfit: Preservers of the Pearl

Falling out of a van in the 1970s is Daniel Romano and his Outfit. Their latest is called Preservers of the Pearl and it's resplendent with that classic rock sound. The riffs...my GOD...the riffs..

Check it out!

Kim Gordon: Play Me

When I think of the word LEGEND, Kim Gordon comes into my head. The woman emanates edgy cool. Her latest is called Play Me and we all very much should.

Opening (and title) track...

The Black Crowes: A Pound of Feathers

Holy mother fucking shit are The Black Crowes back. Their latest record, A Pound of Feathers, took my head clean off and I had to re-attach it at my local Black Crowes fan club building. The power, thunder and fury are all still there!

Opening track (please protect head from removal)...

Bridgette Calls Me Baby: Irreversible

Chicago's own Bridgette Calls Me Baby is back with a fab new LP called Irreversible. It's the sophomore effort for the outfit that shows them truly embracing a magnificent 80s pop sound. All the power and the fury!

One of my faves...

Squeeze: Trixies (Album of the Week)

Squeeze is one of my favorite bands of all time. They are British so I naturally think they are gods taking the sword directly from the Lady in the Lake. The London lads have been making kick ass pop songs for six decades and are in regular rotation in my house.

Their latest is called Trixies and I don't want to give too much of it way other to say it's fabulous concept album

The album starts with this chestnut...

Next we get this gem...

Later, a shiver and a sigh...

Take a trip to Trixie's. It's a Kennedy Era Cool lounge...

Cut Worms: Transmitter

Cut Worms (aka Max Clarke) is back with a transplendant new record called Transmitter. He channels his inner John Lennon and Neil Finn with some really great vocals on this one.

Opening track...

Hater: Mosquito

Hater is quite the little brilliant band from Sweden and they have cranked out a most excellent indie pop album. Mosquito is pure alternative grist with healthy dash of pop thrown in. Check it out!

Opening track...

Gnarls Barkley: Atlanta

Gnarls Barkley is back after a much too long hiatus with a deeply moving record called Atlanta. It hits you like a shovel to the head in its social commentary and just all around love for humanity. His voice has never sounded better. 13 wonderful songs that dig deeply in the soul.

Opening track...

Bory: Never Turns To Night

Bory is back with a wonderful new record called Never Turns To Night. The pride of Portland, Oregon has turned out their finest yet with a unique plethora of indie pop hooks. 10 tracks of pure goodness

Opening track...

Heavenly: Highway To Heavenly

After a thirty year hiatus, the UK's Heavenly is back with a wonderful new record called Highway to Heavenly. I highly urge everyone to take this highway as it is filled with wonderful goodness.

Opening track...

cootie catcher: Something We All Got

Those goofs from Toronto are back with Something We All Got. cootie catcher are just bloody fabulous in the low fi psych lounge vibe. I love how their music makes my mind bend. 

Opening track...

Harry Styles: Kiss All Time. Disco, Occasionally (Album of the Week)

Holy crap, is Harry Styles having himself a helluva solo career. Who would have thought he would develop a complete new massively cool vibe? I call it late night club martini music. His latest is called Kiss All The Time. Disco, Occasionally. Seriously, this fucking record is stunning. Early Album of the Year contender.

He kicks it off deep in the vibe...

And then ramps it up...

Dare I use the word haunting? Yes, romantically haunting.

Later we get this gem...

I can seriously not get enough of this record!

Iron & Wine: Hen's Teeth

Iron & Wine continues to dive deeply into Americana and the soul of the United States. His latest treasure is called Hen's Teeth and washes over you like a cool waterfall.

Opening track...

Blackpink: Deadline EP

Ah, Blackpink. K-Pop hotties. They just kick all kinds of ass. And I will always be grateful to all of my Asian students who introduced to the genre and compelled me to dig it. What's not to love about the new Deadline EP? 

Zero

Hey Colossus: Heaven Was Wild

English noise rock fans (and really anyone at all) will be blown away by Heaven Was Wild, the latest offering from Hey Colossus. It hits you deep in the gullet!

Opening track..

Crooked Fingers: Swet Deth

After a very long hiatus, North Carolina's own Crooked Fingers are back with Swet Death. The ten songs on this record are among their most introspective yet. Just a great big pile of love.

Witness!

Leigh-Anne: My Ego Told Me To

Holy crap, Leigh-Anne, your latest offering is fucking awesome. What a giant pile of fun is My Ego Told Me To. Thanks for reminding all of us why life is so dark and yet so wonderful.

One of my faves...

Feng: Weekend Rockstar

Feng is quite the inventive English rapper and strong evidence for this is Weekend Rockstar. This long player is filled with spicy grooves and spiritual insight. 

Ah the life!

Bruno Mars: The Romantic (Album of the Week)

After a far too long hiatus, R&B wonder and treasure of the world Bruno Mars is back with The Romantic. The album blends soul with straight up torch song pop. 

Example...

He breaks out the lounge...

Later we get this gem...

Folks, this is an ESSENTIAL 2026 album. Start listening and let Bruno work his magic!!

The Legal Matters: Lost At Sea

Detroit's own The Legal Matters are back with Lost at Sea, a simply wonderful indie romp into our lives today. They carry me away with all their awesomeness.

Opening track...

Mitski: Nothing's About to Happen to Me

NYC's Mitski is back with yet another deeply moving record. Nothing's About To Happen To Me is a profound exercise in self-actualization. The purpose of all this is to connect to us and acheive common support. 

One of my faves...

Rob Zombie: The Great Satan

Rob Zombie is a colossus with unlimited power to lord over all of us with his awesomeness. His latest offering is called The Great Satan and it knocks your socks right on our ass from the first track. Bow before him1

One of my faves...

Gorillaz: The Mountain

Gorillaz have a new offering called The Mountain. It's very large in its sound, hence the title. It has many good tracks but my favorite is The Moon Cave (see video below). So space age!

Voxtrot: Dreamers in Exile

Austin's own Voxtrot is back with yet another extraordinary LP filled with dreamy goodness. Dreamers in Exile has an 80s vibe to it, more than their previous releases. 

I've always loved current nostalgia...

Buck Meek: The Mirror

Buck Meek has perfectly capture that chill, folk rock vibe on his latest record, The Mirror. My oh my is he emo, as the kids say these days, and that's just fine with me. I like hearing deep, emotional self actualization in my music!

Opening track..

U2: Days of Ash (Album of the Week)

We can always rely on U2 to boldly state where we are at in terms of social and political issues. Their latest release delivers that in spades. Days of Ash is a wake up call for all of us.

Opening track sets the tone. Shout out to my hometown...

Next we have this heartbreaker...

Sick guitar lick by Edge on this one...

Five decades of this...wow

New Found Glory: Listen Up!

The pride of Coral Springs is back with another fantastic addition to their now four decade career. Listen Up! kicks fucking ass from the very first track. New Found Glory is old time dragon level boss. 

Dig it!

Howling Bells: Strange Life

Howling Bells...wow, what a fucking band. Just the chewable grist of their music brings to mind and life images of power, dominance, and love. Strange Life is their latest and easily their finest. Oh, the places it takes me to!

Opening track...

Zo!-Tall Black Guy: Expansions

Detroit's own Zo! proves what a treasure he is the world with his latest release, Expansions. It reminds me of what a watercolor painting by a master would sound like. He puts himself out there as an instructor and we could certainly learn a lot from him.

One of my faves...oh that groove...

The Lone Bellow: What A Time To Be Alive

The Lone Below get to you immediately. Like right to the heart. The combination of their instrumental melange and lyrics are one of a kind. Their latest is called What A Time To Be Alive and its 12 songs are soul rendering. 

Opening track sets the tone...

Earth Tongue: Dungeon Vision

New Zealand's own Earth Tongue are back with their very special heaviosity. Dungeon Vision is a tour de force of awresomemness. My head is banging with this duo's magnificance! 

Opening and title track...

The Paranoid Style: Known Associates

The Paranoid Style are back with their poppy garage delights. Known Associates is their fifth record and clearly their strongest. Eleven tracks of pure honey!

Opening track...

Gogol Bordello: We Mean It, Man! (Album of the Week)

The monster of energy that is Gogol Bordello is back with a high octane fueled album called We Mean It, Man! Boy do they ever!

The album opens with this shovel to the head stunner (and title track)...

Followed immediately by this chestnut...

Later we get spiritual...

The Nude Party: Look Who's Back

The Nude Party are back with the fourth record. Thank god! The North Carolina natives have a real gem with Look Who's Back, a slinky chill offering that showcases their unique style.

Opening (and title)  track...

Momoko Gill: Momoko

A deep and thoughtful vibe. That's how I would characterize the debut of London's own Momoko Gill. Momoko is richly filled with sonic landscapes of joy and exploration. 

Example...

Go listen!

Luke Temple: Hungry Animal

The funky grooves of Luke Temple's Hungry Animal are on my mind today. The distinctly folk element make the cosmic spirit of this record even more wonderful.

One of my faves...

Chet Faker: A Love For Strangers

Australian colossus Chet Faker is back with yet another fabulous record. The vibe on A Love For Strangers is slinky and warm. He gets right to the heart and soul in very meaningful ways. 

Opening track completely sucks you in...

Asgeir: Julia

The pride of Iceland is back with a wonderful new record called Julia. Asgeir is truly a treasure of the world with his warm and soft musical sounds. 

Opening track perfectly sets the tone of the record..

Sebastien Teller: Kiss The Beast

What a fine new record Mr. Sebastien Teller has turned early here in 2026. Kiss The Beast is a true gem and the French DJ has really hit it out of the park on this one.

Opening (and title) track...so psychedelic!!

Whitelands: Sunlight Echoes (Album of the Week)

London's own Whitelands are a shoegaze delight. Their music transports to you the cosmos and beyond space time. Their latest is called Sunlight Echoes and it's bloody marvelous.

Opening track...

Followed by this gem...the vocals are incredible on this one...

Later we get this shiver and a sigh...

The philosophical waxing...love these guys!!

Tyler Ballgame: For The First Time, Again.

Hey folks, meet Tyler Ballgame. He just dropped his first record called For The First Time, Again, and it's a veritable cornucopia of indie and alternative grist. It's also a bail of fun!

Title track...

Joyce Manor: I Used To Go To This Bar

Torrance, Cali's own Joyce Manor are back with a stellar new record I Used To Go To This Bar. The band has shown some real growth on this record, adding jangly guitars on some of the tracks.

Example...

Plenty of punky stuff to on the record. Check it out!

Softcult: When A Flower Doesn't Grow

The pride of Kitchener, Ontario has dropped their first full length shoegaze extravaganza and I am loving it. Softcult has a very promising future indeed! 

One of my faves...

Plantoid: FLARE

Brighton's own Plantoid are back with FLARE, a veritable tour de force of awesomeness. Their musical bland is quite unique in its brit alternative indieness.

Fave...

Ari Lennox: Vacancy

Ari Lennox is a national treasure. Her music is America. Her latest record is called Vacancy and it is most amazing. I feel like I'm in a classic, black and white film when I listen to it.

Opening track...

Jordan Ward: Backward

The mellow comfort of Jordan Ward is back in the form of his wonderful new record called Backward. The St Louis native will make your soul ignite on this one.

Opening track sets the tone...

GUV: Warmer Than Gold (Album of the Week)

GUV is the latest incarnation of musical master, Ben Cook. Warmer Than Gold is the extremely wonderful showcase of his latest musical voyages rom the North Carolina son. Let's hop on his cosmic ship, shall we?

Opening track, sets the vibe of letting go..

Next it's right into some blue jade power...

Later we move deeply into the heart..

Easily, an early contender for Album of the year. Start listening!!

Dead Dad's Club: Dead Dad's Club

Chilli Jesson (Palma Violets) has a great new band called Dead Dad's Club. Their self titled album just dropped and it's magnificent. Loads and lots of soaring guitars and pomp. So good!

Single from the record...

Poppy: Empty Hands

Poppy is back with a wonderful new record called Empty Hands. The album sees some explorations into different styles, including heaviosity. 

One of my faves...

Louis Tomlinson: How Did I Get Here?

Louis Tomlinson is back with a fantastic pure pop record called How Did I Get Here? The pop just oozes off this one folks. Check it out!

Opening track...

Robbie Williams: BRITPOP

Robbie Williams has made a Brit Rock album. He even titled it BRITPOP to let us all know how serious he is about the genre. The album is a stunner. Check it out!

Opening track slams us...

Cast: Yeah Yeah Yeah (Album of the Week)

Cast is back with an absolute corker of a record. Yeah Yeah Yeah lays out new boundaries of dudes with guitars music. It's pure Brit Rock jasm. 

Opening track...triumphant

Then an instant stadium sing along...

Later we get this nostalgia..

Folks, Cast is carrying the flame.

Mon Rovia: Bloodline

Mon Rovia is back with a completely overwhelming record called Bloodline. The title track is a testament to love, life and family. So so good...

Megadeath: Megadeath

Metalheads united! The new Megadeath is fucking ridiculous. It's funny because I'm not a huge metal guy, liking stuff here and there, but this is one of the best I've heard in years. Self titled. Raw. Insane!

Opening shredder....

Sassy009: Dreamer+

Oslo's own Sassy009 is back with a corker of a record. Dreamer+ is truly for everyone. A stunning mind trip guaranteed to move the spirit.

Opening track...

Dig it!

Yin Yin: Yatta

The Dutch band Yin Yin has a stellar new one out called Yatta. The psychedelic grooves are abundant and the cosmic journey is deep. Check it out!

Disco!

Ryan Adams: Self Portrait

Ryan Adams (aka greatest current American songwriter) snuck an album out at the end of 2025 and I want to note it today. Self Portrait is a deeply introspective effort from someone who normally is such a way. 

The opening track beautifully sets the tone...

Later we have this wonder...

DRA is just simply wonderful...

European Son: When Britain Was Great (Album of the Week)

The sophomore effort from European Son is out and it is a magnificent jangly dudes with guitars record. When Britain Was Great shows a titanic level of progression for this fab band.

Opener...

Spooky garage second track...

And then the heartfelt title track....

Just a corker of a record. Check it out!

Sleadford Mods: The Demise of Planet X (Album of the Week)

The giant fists of Nottingham are back. Sleadford Mods. Massively in our face. The new record is called The Demise of Planet X and it kicks all kinds of ass. 

Opens with a head butt

Next track takes to the chill....

Later we get this gem...

Right! Start listening, boneheads!!

Dry Cleaning: Secret Love

South London's own Dry Cleaning are back with slinky little number called Secret Love. It sings into the ear quite nicely!

Opening number...

The Cribs: Selling A Vibe (Album of the Week)

Welcome to 2026! First Album of the Week (now on Sundays!) is The Cribs, Selling A Vibe. 12 perfectly crafted guitar pop songs, dudes with jangly guitars. Quite literally, your host's perfect vibe. 

Kicks off with this gem...

Later we have the tilt....

And then, my fave...

Check out these Wakefield, West Yorkshire lads, folks! So diamond!!