Albums

Sister Irene O’Connor – Fire of God’s Love (1973, reissued 2025)

This electro-gospel album from the 1970s was recently reissued by Freedom to Spend. The opening track, “Fire (Luke 12:49)“, has been stuck in my head all week. It seems that experimental private press records recorded by nuns are having a bit of a moment, given the recent success of Emahoy Tsegué-Maryam Guèbrou’s reissues.

Wednesday – Bleeds (2025)

Bleeds was one of my favorite albums of 2025, and I’m bringing this record with me into 2026. I don’t directly relate to a lot of the lyrics about life in rural North Carolina, but I feel pieces of myself in these tracks. I love rock albums that can balance harsh instrumentation and yelling with softer melodies; I think “Pick Up That Knife” displays this combination clearly.

Singles

Robyn – “Talk To Me” / “Sexistential” (2026)

I’m enjoying these two new singles from Robyn’s forthcoming album. This is her first batch of new solo music since 2018’s Honey. I’ve been listening to her music for fifteen years, and she always comes out of hibernation right when I need some new tunes.

Moses Sumney – “Can’t Believe It” (2020)

This cover of T-Pain’s “Can’t Believe It” (2008) was first included on the Save Stereogum charity compilation in 2020. Sumney released it on his own label TUNTUM in 2021. Five years later, I’m still thinking about the vocal performance and layering on this track. It’s on another level.

Daddy DJ – “Daddy DJ (Chico & Tonio Radio Edit)” (2000, remastered 2025)

I’ve been listening to a lot of Eurodance recently for whatever reason (?), and I think this is decidedly my favorite Eurodance track. You might not recognize the title, but you’ve heard this melody. It’s been sampled everywhere, but the original version was not much of a commercial success outside of the Benelux countries and Scandinavia. It actually moves me to tears…💔💔

Daddy DJ, please take me to the party /
And let me dance along until the lights are on /
Daddy DJ, please take me to the party /
And let the music play, until the break of day

Also, it’s just so metal to have a song with the same name as your band.