The Fat Angel Sings

Formed in Jacksonville, Florida, in the mid-1980s, the Beggar Weeds were a trio who chased the offbeat—driving miles out of their way on tour to visit strange museums and roadside oddities. Their music reflected that same fascination with the eccentric: a jangly mix of R.E.M., the almost-falling-apart-ness of the Replacements, and the rumbling melodicism of Hüsker Dü, filtered through Southern folk and punk grit. Their lone 1988 EP, “Sure Pants A lot”, captured their raw, fast, and fiercely melodic sound—equal parts humour, heartbreak, and rural storytelling.

Michael Stipe of R.E.M. became an early fan, co-producing unreleased sessions that now appear on their career retrospective “Tragedy in U.S. History“, out February 20th, 2026 via Strolling Bones Records. Their inclusion marks the first time these songs have been officially compiled, making the release a crucial document of Southern indie rock.

From the album “Tragedy in U.S. History” out February 20, 2026 on Strolling Bones Records

The experience of Youth Lagoon’s latest album, “Rarely Do I Dream“, embraces sentimentality and memory, but the project is not gobsmacked by melancholy. Rather, it’s a collection of music filled with kind self-reflection and hopeful imagination, as Trevor Powers approaches the totality of life through small, digitized and grainy moments, showcasing and scattering them across irresistible melodies and buttery piano leads propelled by infectious drumming. The field recordings of him and his family, including his brother Bobby, become a compositional element and ground the surreal character portrayals in vibrant snapshots of childhood, forming the foundation for Powers to, once again, reinvent Youth Lagoon.

Above the found audio lies Powers’ most sonically diverse album to date, injecting the smooth atmosphere of 2023’s “Heaven Is a Junkyard” with fuzzy synthesizers, reverb-drenched guitar leads and infinitely groovy basslines. “Heaven Is a Junkyard” was a fresh return to Youth Lagoon after Powers had abandoned the project, replacing lo-fi bedroom pop with crystal clear percussion—drums, bass and serene piano layers floating atop every song. It’s a wonderful listen that lives forever in its pillowy atmosphere, whereas “Rarely Do I Dream” changes channels almost every song, flipping a switch to a new scene. 

The Black Keys “Peaches!” is the Akron duo’s fourteenth studio album (their sixth since 2019), a visceral and raw 10-song collection described by singer Dan Auerbach as the band’s “most natural record” since their 2002 debut, The Big Come Up. In similar DIY spirit, the album was recorded with all musicians playing in the same room with few overdubs, and is the first record mixed entirely by the band themselves since 2006’s Magic Potion. The songs chosen reflect Auerbach and bandmate Patrick Carney’s obsessive record-collecting habit, which in recent years has escalated into an ongoing series of Record Hang DJ-set dance parties where they spin vintage 45s for packed, high-energy dancefloors in the coolest spots across the globe.

The cover art for Peaches! is based around an iconic image from Memphis-born photographer, William Eggleston, and marks the return of Patrick’s brother, Michael Carney, overseeing the art direction.

The Sherlocks are a British indie/alternative band hailing from Bolton upon Dearne, Barnsley, South Yorkshire. With their catchy melodies and energetic performances, they have gained a loyal following in the music scene. Known for their distinctive sound and heartfelt lyrics, The Sherlocks continue to captivate audiences with their unique blend of indie rock and alternative music.

Formed in 2010 the band consists of brothers, Kiaran & Brandon Crook along with Alex Procter & Trent Jackson. . They first gained recognition with their debut single which received widespread acclaim. Since then, The Sherlocks have released several successful albums including “Everything Must Make Sense” being the last.

With their infectious energy and captivating stage presence, The Sherlocks have become known for delivering unforgettable live performances. Their passion for music shines through in every song they create, making them a must-see act for any music lover.

“In Your Hands” is the brand new single from The Sherlocks.

“Trilateral Machine’ on a limited run of rusty red vinyl. Flip Top Head knows when to shift things around, making this EP such a visceral listen. Though they’re still honing their voice, Flip Top Head has all the hallmarks of a truly unique sound.

While there are plenty of post-punk and orchestral art rock bands vying for attention, there is a searing originality that marks Flip Top Head apart. The six-piece group from Brighton showcase the full range of their influences on their second EP

“avant-garde art-rock packed with wry lyricism…there is a searing originality that marks Flip Top Head apart” – NME

“Ambitious acts like Man/Woman/Chainsaw, The Orchestra (For Now) and Flip Top Head are forging a new vanguard…” – CLASH

“packs a lyrical punch, transforming the mundane into the remarkable in a way that’s characteristic of Larkin’s poetry.” – So Young Magazine

“A stirring, seismic package…striking a delicate balance between experimental and accessible” – DIY

released January 23rd, 2026

All songs written and performed by Flip Top Head.
Additional songwriting by Alfie Beer.
Produced by Theo Verney.

The new Brown Horse single’s got an immediate buy-in from vocalist Nyle Holihan: “I like the voices on the radio, I like the feeling of changing lanes.” That sounds good to me. If you missed out on “All the Right Weaknesses” last year you can still reserve a spot for “Total Dive” in a few months. “Twisters” is a twangy ace in the hole with Neve Cariad singing backup—country guitars in bold lettering, whacked-out pickers each with a lead foot on their fuzz pedals.

This is lubed-up rock and roll—road-worn riffage you can catch a fix from anytime. If you’re a Jason Molina fan you’re gonna dig a barroom blitz like this, because Brown Horse are rambling around in a strange, disarming grin. It’s a good pocket to be in, especially when Emma Tovell’s pedal steel starts crying. “I hope a whip of lightning cuts me right in two” means something to me. “Twisters” rules because it’s spilling out all over the place.

We’ve been talking about Brown Horse as sort of the UK’s answer to MJ Lenderman/Wednesday type indie-country bands, and this new single from their upcoming third album “Total Dive” is a very fine example of why they deserve that title.

The album “Total Dive” is out April 10th 2026 on Loose Music.

Low co-founder Alan Sparhawk has shared two new songs featuring Eric Pollard on Drums and Sparhawk’s son, Cyrus Sparhawk, on bass.

Sparhawk shares about both singles:
“JCMF”: This is a song I’ve had for a few years, but couldn’t find the right way to play or record it. We started playing it last year in the Alan Sparhawk Solo Band, on tour, and with each month, the sentiment of the song only increased. I feel like the song has become a rebuke against the fascist/authoritarian streak that several world leaders have taken on and to the people who have been blinded into supporting them.

“No More Darkness”: Inspired by a David Lynch quote (“Don’t fight the darkness. Don’t even worry about the darkness. Turn on the light and the darkness goes. Turn up the light of pure consciousness. Negativity goes.”) This song reminds me to choose light in especially dark times. We were ending our set with this tune all year, and it is my wish for everyone, especially those who feel alone.

Both tracks were written, composed, and produced at 20 Below Studio in Duluth, MN, with Nat Harvie mixing. They feature Sparhawk on Guitar/Vocals, Eric Pollard on Drums and Sparhawk’s son, Cyrus Sparhawk, on Bass.

Sparhawk will be donating a portion of his royalties from these songs to the International Institute of Minnesota.

released February 17th, 2026

© 2026 Sub Pop Records

Buck Meek (who you may know from Big Thief, his joint releases with bandmate Adrianne Lenker, or perhaps just from his solo stuff already!)

“The Mirror” is scheduled for release at the end of February. There’s a tender power, countered by immutable vulnerability. With an uncanny curiosity, Meek reveals the uniqueness in the mundane. “The Mirror” searches for new meaning and the familiar is reframed through Meek’s singular voice.

Just months after Big Thief had released one of our favourite albums of 2025 with “Double Infinity”, Big Thief guitarist Buck Meek announced his next solo album, The Mirror, due 2/27 via 4AD. It was made with his Big Thief bandmate James Krivchenia and Big Thief vocalist Adrianne Lenker contributes to it too, so it shouldn’t be a big surprise that you can hear a lot of Big Thief’s magic coming through on lead single “Gasoline.” It’s the kind of strummy folk rock that Buck Meek does so well, but it’s also got some of those art rock tendencies that came through on “Double Infinity“, making it just a little more far-out than what we usually get from Buck’s solo career.

“Cost of Living Adjustment” is the sort-of self-titled album from Cola, the Montreal trio of Tim Darcy (vocals/guitar), Ben Stidworthy (bass), and Evan Cartwright (percussion). C.O.L.A. — an acronym for “Cost of Living Adjustment” — is a fitting conceptual framework for the band’s third record. Why? Because C.O.L.A. considers, among other things, socialism vs. hell. It considers: rolling the dice of life. The erie and sweet pangs that nostalgia can provoke.

Following two studio LPs which earned the trio praise from Rolling Stone (Best Indie Rock Albums of 2024), Pitchfork (Best Rock Albums of 2024), Stereogum (Best Songs of 2022) and more,” Cost of Living Adjustment” is abstract, oblique, sometimes strange, whatever you want to call it. But it is also beautiful, in the classic sense. Beautiful like a painting can be beautiful. It touches on the sublime. It is Cola, the band, at their very best.

Here’s the first single from Cola’s upcoming album “Cost of Living Adjustment”.

from Cola’s new album, “Cost of Living Adjustment”, out May 8th via Fire Talk Records

Julia Cumming of Sunflower Bean has announced her debut solo album, “Julia“, due out April 24 via Partisan. The first single is “My Life,” and she says, “This song came after a period of intense pressure, the culmination of writing through the pandemic and the years spent in the rhythm of touring, recording, and trying to find my place within it all…Then something shifted. It was liberation, and I knew immediately it was the beginning of something new. It’s clear ‘My Life’ would open the album, because it’s the thesis. The seed that started everything.”

“My Life” by Julia Cumming from Julia, out April 24th on Partisan Records