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...