Crucial Releases: January 9

Happy New Year! Welcome to the first issue of Crucial Releases for 2026. In case you missed it, we have my favorite records from 2025 and a special guest list from my part time collaborator and oldest friend, Chris.

In terms of new releases, last Friday was January 2nd so there were very few new releases for that day... making this week the first substantial release week of the new year. And we've got a number of records for you to check out this issue!

There's a wide variety of genre this issue (I love when this happens)... soul/funk, alt-country, post-punk, melodic hardcore, power pop, indie rock – a little something for everyone. Let's dive in:

Chapter 1 by Sault

• Released: 9 January on Forever Living Originals
• FFO: alt R&B, funk, soul, Cleo Sol
• Support: Listen

I was introduced to Sault by way of Cleo Sol's solo albums (she's the main vocalist on Sault albums) despite Sault putting out records before her solo work. Regardless of the direction or how, Sault operates in the world of alt R&B, soul, and funk that I love... such a good vibe. This record is good from top to bottom, so check out two of my favorite tracks below, then dig into the whole thing:

Secret Love by Dry Cleaning

• Released: 9 January on 4AD
• FFO: post-punk, Wire, Squid, The Murder Capital
• Support: Bandcamp | Listen

Dry Cleaning are a post-punk band from London and Secret Love is their third full length album and first since October 2022. This latest album was produced by Cate Le Bon, who put out a critically acclaimed album herself in 2025.

Dry Cleaning combines the angular post-punk of a band like Wire with almost spoken word poetry from vocalist Florence Shaw. Shaw excels in deadpan humor, surrealism, and commentary on mundane life. This gives the band one of the most unique sounds in punk today and when they are hitting on all cylinders, like on Secret Love, it makes for their best work to date.

Honorable Mentions

Within Dreams by Feels Like Heaven

• Released: 9 January on Scheme Records
• FFO: melodic hardcore, Samiam, Fiddlehead, Have Heart, Anxious, Rites of Spring
• Your first song: "World Clock"
• Support: Bandcamp | Listen

With Heaven on Top by Zach Bryan

• Released: 9 January on Warner Records
• FFO: melancholy alt country
• Your first song: "Runny Eggs"
• Support: Listen

Selling a Vibe by The Cribs

• Released: 9 January on [PIAS] Records
• FFO: The Strokes, The Libertines, UK influenced alt rock
• Your first song: "Dark Luck"
• Support: Bandcamp | Listen

Below by Glom

• Released: 9 January on Nettwerk Music Group
• FFO: lo-fi X indie rock, Alex G, Porches, oso oso, Wild Nothing
• Your first song: "Glass"
• Support: Bandcamp | Listen

A Binding Life by Home Star

• Released: 21 February on Dirty Hit Records
• FFO: power pop x emo, Weezer
• Your first song: "Milk & Honey"
• Support: Bandcamp | Listen

Other Stuff You May Have Missed

The first edition of Crucial Playlists, featuring Jason Molina from Songs: Ohia.

Crucial Molina

In the inaugural edition of Crucial Playlists, we focus on Jason Molina, the singer songwriter that was behind Songs: Ohia and Magnolia Electric Co.

Crucial TracksJason

And then I looked forward to 2026:

My plans for Crucial Tracks in 2026

With 2026 coming to an end, I started to take a look back at 2025 and plan where to take the site in the coming year. Thanks so much for joining me on this ride.

Crucial TracksJason