2026 Album Roundup #8
I think I have enough new stuff that I've listened to for another post. I guess I'll start and we'll see how far we get.
Charli XCX - Music, Fashion, Film
I think I'm in the minority but I dig this for the most part. It's too short, the tracks and the album as a whole. But idk I dig introspective Charli which we get more of on this project, plus just some catchy tunes. It's not an album of the year contender or anything but I think it's pretty cool for what it is and I do appreciate her not just releasing Brat 2.0.
Twisted Teens - Florida Water Blues
This alt-country/punk rock fusion came out of nowhere for me but I'm glad I decided to check it out, love the sound. The vocals both kinda suck and also are perfect for the instrumentation I think? Idk, weird voices just work sometimes and I think this fits here. But yeah an album I need to listen to more but I really enjoyed.
Kelsey Lu - So Help Me God
An art pop/chamber pop/folk album that I really dug. Big fan of the vocal performance here which I think has been an issue with other chamber pop/folk albums in the past. Instrumentals are also lush. Good stuff.
Ostraca - Thread
As summer blazes on I've found myself less interested in metal/hard rock releases so I've let this one sit for a while. Disaster, Ostraca's 2023 release, was one of the first albums that pulled me towards screamo again. I missed their 2025 release but saw this one as it released was interested but yeah, just got around to listen to it and it rules. At times beautifully threadbare and others full of pulsing energy I think they balance both well. There was one moment of more guttural vocals that I was decidedly not into, but the rest of the album is great.
KiiiKiii - WhyKiiiKiii
There's a kpop release or two every year that I listen to and am like, oh yeah this is cool I see why so many people dig Kpop. I listen to it for a while then forget Kpop exists again. I'm guessing this will be one of those projects. It's short, it's catchy, no complaints here.
It's not out yet but also really digging the singles from the new Chelsea Wolfe album. Chat Pile album also coming out next month that should be dope.