Top New Tracks

5) Michelle Blades – “Where To?” (2026)

Panamanian-Mexican multi-instrumentalist and alternative artist Michelle Blades has spent her life weaving through different countries and cultures. She moved to Miami at a young age with her family of salsa musicians, then surrounded by musical styles like cumbia and dembow. Her musical career began with a move to Arizona, where she worked with an independent label to release multiple EPs. Recent years have found the glam-rock-inspired artist in France and surrounding countries for touring and sending out LPs. Her work has also involved collaborations with baroque pop singer Cléa Vincent and synth-pop artist Fishbach.
This week’s highlighted track, “You’re the Mother, You’re the Man” features sparse instrumentation with vocal harmonies and melodies that draw comparisons to Minnie Riperton a lá “Les Fleurs”.

4) Mandy, Indiana – “URGH” (2026)

Mandy, Indiana is a band that is from exactly the place you’d expect: Manchester, England. The noise rock four-piece came together as their current iteration in 2021. Vocalist Valentine Caulfield was recruited by guitarist Scott Fair when he heard her singing in her native French at a gig. The band continues to only write French lyrics, as their work aims to capture moods with instrumentation rather than relying on lyrics. Their most recent album, “URGH” is their second release after their debut 2023 album “I’ve Seen a Way”, which was partially recorded in a cave in West England and then a crypt.

This week’s selected track, “Cursive” is a high-energy dance track that adds rhythm to chaos.

3) Isaac Martinez – “Spiritual Lives of the Great Composers” (2026)

Local alt-pop artist Isaac Martinez is based in Denver and has had a hand in the city’s music scene through his involvement with two bands, True Fiction and Cocordion. “Spiritual Lives” is his second album, another purposefully mis-titled record after his 2024 debut album “10 Country Songs”. His genre on this release is closer to a Beck-infused alt folk-rap with rock, trap, and classical guitar. Martinez’s lyricism is rife with apathy and indie psychedelia, all set to his baritone vocals.

This week’s chosen track, “What Lauryn Said” is dripping with Beck sensibilities with delivery bordering on spoken word and instrumentals reminiscent of artists like Cake.

2) Lord Jah-Monte Ogbon – “As Of Now” (2026)

Releasing his debut album under Lex Records, the former record label of MF DOOM, North Carolina rapper Lord Jah-Monte Ogbon weaves intricate storytelling with eclectic and catchy hooks. The Charlotte hip-hop artist has released 15 albums since the early 2010s, climbing his way to rap stardom through his absurdist vignettes and smooth lyricism. His work has developed the DIY scene of the city, performing to bring underground conscious rap to the forefront.

“So You Don’t Really Miss Me” features Ogbon’s razor-sharp lyricism with soulful and breezy backing vocals.

1) Dirt Buyer – “Dirt Buyer III” (2026)

Dirt Buyer is the solo project of Joe Sutkowski that he started in 2019 to explore more slowcore and emo instrumentation in his home studio. “Dirt Buyer III” is the third installment in the series, each release reaching higher fidelity as his bandwidth for production increased. From lo-fi downtempo rock to emotional acoustic guitarwork, Dirt Buyer has evolved in its 7 years of storytelling. This album focuses on themes of autonomy and coming of age, and features the drummers of indie rock group Momma and Model/Actriz.

This week’s selected track, “Multizeal” uses muted guitar tones for sweet and effortless melodies.

Top Tracks of the Week

5) Yin Yin – “Yatta!” (2026)

Yin Yin originated in Maastricht, Netherlands in 2017 and has since synthesized four albums worth of psychedelic grooviness. The group released their first full-length album in 2019, “The Rabbit That Hunts Tigers”, which was a Thai-rock inspired collection that featured their hit track “One Inch Punch”. Their musical style combines funk, pop, and Southeastern Asian music in a mellow and instrumentally varied fashion.

This week’s chosen track, “Mooncake Melody”, an easygoing and guitar-centered ride on the waves of Yin Yin’s melodies.

4) Samm Henshaw – “It Could Be Worse” (2026)

Born and raised in South London, Samm Henshaw’s love for music originated the gospel music that scored his childhood. The son of a reverend, singer- songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Henshaw released his first EP in 2015. His work centers around pop-inspired R&B and soul, his earliest inspirations including Stevie Wonder and D’Angelo. He has supported both Chance the Rapper and Allen Stone on tour and his work has been featured in multiple artistic projects, including the 2022 film Hustle.

This week’s selected track, “Hair Down” is a feel-good neo-soul infused reminder to take a load off.

3) Sword II – “Electric Hour” (2025)

Sword II is composed of three multi-instrumentalists and is based in Atlanta, Georgia. The post-punk group includes Certain Zuko, Mari González, and Travis Arnold. Originally dubbed “Evil Sword”, the trio has released two full albums in 2025 (“Electric Hour”) and 2023 (“Spirit World Tour”), as well as one EP in 2020. Their sound comes from a wide range of genres and eras, pulling from the Atlanta DIY scene as well as broader alternative rock artists. Though the group is still new, they have already opened for artists like feeble little horse and look to perform larger concerts in the coming years.

This week’s highlighted track, “Sugarcane” is breezy with silky-sweet vocals.

2) .idk. – “Even the Devil Smiles” (2026)

Originally from London, .idk. or Jay IDK was raised in Maryland where he began releasing rap and trap music in 2014. His name an acronym for “Ignorantly Delivering Knowledge”, IDK’s style was focused on conscious lyricism from the beginning. His second mixtape was entitled “Subtrap”, short for “trap with substance”, and drew comparisons to Kendrick Lamar with his personal subject matter.

This week’s chosen track, “SCRAMBLED EGGS – TBC” features vocalist OGI and dissonant piano keystrokes.

1) Annabelle Chairlegs – “Waking Up” (2026)

Sitting at the crossroads of vulnerability and electric performance, Annabelle Chairlegs is a rock ‘n roll quartet from Austin, Texas. Vocalist and guitarist Lindsey Mackin formulated the band from the ashes of her first group Treemotel, adding bassist Derek Vaughan Nunez Strahan, guitarist Nolan Potter, and drummer Nick Cornetti. The group’s psychedelic affectations originate with Mackin’s gritty Janis Joplin-esque vocals backed up with instrumentation that switches between punk and pop.

Our Gem of the Week is “Patty Get Your Gun” is a 90s alt-pop that features retro melodies and casual vocals.