Sunday, January 18, 2026

i start by holding your hand/and taking advice from the songs I like

Album of the week


Julianna Barwick and Mary Lattimore - Tragic Magic

Julianna Barwick and Mary Lattimore have both been making impossibly beautiful, atmospheric music for many, many years. And while they've collaborated in the past both live and in the studio, this is the first time we've been treated to an entire album.

Lattimore's harp keeps everything tethered to the ground, while Barwick's signature, delay soaked vocals, swirl up around everything, like they're reaching up into the heavens.

Nearly every time I get on a plane, I put on Barwick's 2011 masterpiece, The Magic Place. It's not like I'm a nervous flyer (the only mode of transportation I love more than a plane is a train), but there's something so soothing and so fitting about hearing her disembodied voice hanging in the air as you're hurtling through it. I've liked or loved all of her other work, but this is the first one that comes close to capturing that same feeling for me.

I can't wait til the next time I hop on a plane, because I know what I'm putting on.

Song of the week


Remember Sports - Nevermind

How the fuck is it possible that Remember Sports is actually playing here, but it's the same night as Wednesday/Gouge Away?! Why do I have to choose between hearing my second favourite record of 2025 live or hearing what's shaping up to maybe be my favourite record of 2026? The world is more of a tire fire than it's ever been in my (at this point pretty fucking long) lifetime and I didn't need this insult to injury, frankly.

Anyhow, I love this song a lot, but the thing I love the most about it is that "so, I heated pizza for dinner/let the pizza get cold again" couplet and the way it perfectly captures a feeling that--if you've ever felt it--you'll recognize instantaneously. 

"Nevermind" is the fourth and final single from The Refrigerator, out on February 13th. Remember Sports play the Wise on April 24th.

Classic of the week


MJ Lenderman - A Long December (Counting Crows cover)


More heat


Ratboys - The World, So Madly

Ok, maybe this one's going to be my favourite record of 2026.



Cashier - Like I Do

Real Dinosaur Jr. hours. Who's up?




Modern Woman - Dashboard Mary


Early contender for album cover of the year and an absolute banger of a lead off single. This one builds and builds until it explodes and when it explodes, it's sublime (uhhh like the verb, not the band--no 3rd wave ska here).



Jody Glenham - Overtime

I'm a simple man: if I hear a new Jody song, I post the new Jody song. This one's my favourite from her forthcoming EP, Still Here (she's still here and I still get those ex-bandmate advance listening privileges), out on April 24th.


now playing: Haybaby - Pig

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