Quarter One, 2026
I've been making a point this year of listening to as many new releases as I can - these were the biggest standouts for me in Jan/Feb/March (not in any type of order of importance). Lots of first introductions to bands/artists that I wish I'd already been familiar with (or feel like I should have been)...better late than never. One downside to consuming so much new music all at once is that the threshold to make an impression becomes significantly higher. I want to revisit a lot of albums that didn't make the list and see if they make more of an impression the next time around. Also GIMME ALL YOUR RECS - I wanna know what I snoozed on, paid too little attention to, or otherwise overlooked.
- 1
DreamcrushMOLJanuary album of the month. There seems to be a disconnect between MØL fans who weren't impressed by the new direction this album headed and those for whom DREAMCRUSH was the first introduction to the band. I'm happy to be grouped with the latter. - 2
ParacosmAbsolutelyMy super cheesy album of the month for February. It came into my life at the right moment and I couldn't help but form an attachment - 3
An Undying Love for a Burning WorldNeurosisMarch album of the month (how could it be anything else) - this new album/lineup announcement was nowhere near my radar. Stoked to see these guys at a fest this summer - 4
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Leather TempleCarpenter BrutI was waiting for this one. Loved seeing them tear it up at a sold-out show with HEALTH, one of the most fun shows I've been to for sure - 9
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- 15
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- 21
- 22
In VersesKarnivoolHonestly, I wanted to be more hyped for this one. I'm thinking it'll grow on me more over time - 23
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Future QuietMobySay what you will about Moby the guy, but Moby the musician just fills a niche space in the soul - 26
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No Lube So RudePeaches - 31
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IM30Infected MushroomNot huge into this genre but Infected Mushroom does it best. One of my favorite electronic acts to see live - 34
TornCobrahHadn't heard of Cobrah before and I was ambivalent about this at first, but my travel plans coincided with her tour and I ended up going to a show and that really cemented this for me - 35
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A6LightsNot really a new album, just the extended version that I'd been eagerly anticipating. Didn't disappoint - 39
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Liturgy of DeathMayhemIt's embarrassing to admit this, but this is the first Mayhem album I've actually listened to. Added them to the list of essential bands that I gotta discog-dive - 42
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TempelschlafThe Ruins of BeverastStill not in love with the clean vocals but everything else makes up for it - 45
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Hors TempsIncandescenceMy god, what is it about french black metal‽ One thing I'll say for Quebec: they definitely generate Canada's best music output m/ - 47
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Cool list! A lot of this stuff wouldn't have ever been on my radar, so thanks for sharing. 21 is interesting, because it feels very silly but it's kinda fun regardless.
A lot of it I'm sure you wouldn't care for either haha, but hopefully there's at least one album here that surprises you
I also wish I liked 22 more than I did. It was just kind of... fine. I love Themata and Sound Awake. PS: No mention of Saddest Landscape? What the fuck, Kimm.
100% - I think I wanted to like it just because like..."omg, new Karnivool" The Saddest Landscape's new album slapped hard - don't you worry, it'll be on my second quarter list (if I ever get caught up on April/May releases)
oh, you right. I forgot how quarters worked apparently.
A classic error lol
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