Music Tracking 2026

These are 2026 releases that I've taken note of, listed alphabetically by artist, with VA comps at the bottom. My grades, where available, are in brackets at the end of the line (stars in B+ range). Lines in blue indicate that I have a physical copy (albeit sometimes just a promo CDR); in green are records that I graded based on a Rhapsody stream or other such source. Most records have release dates and a brief generic note.

Unheard records are prioritized 0-3 (graded records are 4-5). The priotization is based subjectively on personal interests, reviews I've noticed, reviewers I particularly respect, what I know about the artists, etc. Roughly speaking: 0 is something I have no reason to consider (default page omits 0); 1 has been noted as having some cred somewhere; 2 is something I have some specific reason to search out; 3 is something I'll listen to ASAP.

Option selectors:

Genre switches (selection not implemented yet):

New Releases

  • Michael Aadal: Aggressive Hymns, Energetic Ballads (Losen) [02-20] - jazz [***]
  • Joshua Abrams: Music for Pulse Meridian Foliation (Drag City) [03-27] - jazz [**]
  • Joshua Achiron: Climbing (Calligram) [03-06] - jazz [**]
  • David Adewumi: The Flame Beneath the Silence (Giant Step Arts) [03-27] - jazz [***]
  • Naseem Alatrash: Bright Colors on a Dark Canvas (Levantine Music) [02-27] - jazz [***]
  • Melissa Aldana: Filin (Blue Note) [02-13] - jazz [**]
  • Ishmael Ali: Burn the Plastic, Sell the Copper (Amalgam) [02-13] - jazz
  • Eddie Allen's Push: Rhythm People (Origin) [01-16] - jazz [**]
  • Tyrone Allen II: Upward (Dreams and Fears) [03-16] - jazz [*]
  • Rodrigo Amado/This Is Our Language Quartet: Wailers (2019, European Echoes) [04-03] - jazz
  • Paulo Almeida: Love in Motion (Dox) [04-24] - jazz [U]
  • Thomas Anderson: Letters From the Hermit Kingdom (Out There) - singer-songwriter [A-]
  • ERR: stream no grade: Kristen Mather de Andrade: Sim Fin
  • Kristen Mather de Andrade: Sim Fin (Ansonica) [03-01] - Brazil/jazz
  • Courtney Marie Andrews: Valentine (Loose Future) [01-16] - country [*]
  • Atlantic Road Trip: Watch as the Echo Falls (Calligram) [04-03] - jazz [U]
  • Aymeric Avice/Luke Stewart/Chad Taylor: Deep in the Earth High in the Sky (RogueArt) [02-09] - jazz [***]
  • Courtney Barnett: Creature of Habit (Mom + Pop/Fiction) [03-27] - alt/indie [A-]
  • Julianna Barwick & Mary Lattimore: Tragic Magic (In Finé) [01-16] - new age [*]
  • Abate Berihun & the Addis Ken Project: Addis Ken (Origin) [04-17] - jazz [U]
  • Eric Bibb: One Mississippi (Repute) [01-30] - blues [**]
  • Ryan Blotnick: The Woods (Fishkill) [04-17] - jazz [U]
  • Bonnie "Prince" Billy: We Are Together Again (No Quarter/Domino) [03-06] - singer-songwriter [*]
  • Anthony Branker & Other Ways of Knowing: Manifestations of a Diasporic Groove & Spirit (Origin) [03-20] - jazz [***]
  • Asher Brinson: Midnight Hurricane (AsherBrin) [04-03] - jazz [A-]
  • Zach Bryan: With Heaven on Top (Belting Bronco/Warner) [01-09] - country [A-]
  • Buck 65: Do Not Bend (Handsmade) [02-26] - hip-hop [***]
  • By Storm: My Ghosts Go Ghost (Dead Air/By(e) Storm) [01-30] - hip-hop [*]
  • Daniel Carter/Steve Hirsh: Convocation (Mahakala Music) [03-06] - jazz
  • Ron Carter & Ricky Dillard: Sweet, Sweet Spirit (Blue Note) [02-06] - jazz [*]
  • Charli XCX: Wuthering Heights (Atlantic) [02-13] - soundtrack [**]
  • Owen Chen: Eternal Wind: The Ghibli Collection (OA2) [04-03] - jazz [U]
  • Chicago Soul Jazz Collective: No Wind & No Rain (Calligram) [04-10] - jazz [U]
  • Paul Citro: Keep Moving (Home) (Calligram) [05-01] - jazz [U]
  • Carl Clements and the Real Jazz Trio: Retrospective (Greydisc) [03-01] - jazz [**]
  • The Cucumbers: As You Heard Me: Songs From "Hello George" (self-relesed) [02-14] [A-]
  • Caleb Wheeler Curtis: Ritual (Chill Tone) [04-10] - jazz [U]
  • Cyger & Butterworth: Plaid Pants (Outrageous8) [03-11] - jazz [**]
  • Daggerboard: The Skipper and Mike Clark (Wide Hive) [03-06] - jazz [**]
  • Daphni: Butterfly (Jiaolong) [02-06] - house [***]
  • Kris Davis and the Lutoslawski Quartet: The Solastalgia Suite (Pyroclastic) [01-09] - jazz [***]
  • Michael Dease With the MSU Jazz Trombones: Spartan Strong (Origin) [01-16] - jazz [**]
  • DJ Eprom: We Are the Biobots (JuNouMi) [01-21] - electronica [A-]
  • Dave Douglas: Four Freedoms (Greenleaf Music) [01-30] - jazz [**]
  • Dry Cleaning: Secret Love (4AD) [01-09] - post-punk [***]
  • Hilary Duff: Luck . . . or Something (Atlantic) [02-20] - pop [**]
  • Matt Dwonszyk: Live at the Sidedoor (self-released) [03-06] - jazz [***]
  • Art Edmaiston & Chad Fowler: Memphis Mandala (Mahakala Music) [02-27] - jazz [*]
  • John Ellis & Double Wide: Fireball (Sunnyside) [01-23] - jazz [**]
  • Fakemink: The Boy Who Cried Terrified (EtnaVeraVela -EP) - UK hip-hop [*]
  • The Femcels: I Have to Get Hotter (Getting Hotter) [01-25] - indie pop [**]
  • Flying Lotus: Big Mama (Brainfeeder -EP) [03-06] - IDM [*]
  • Bill Frisell: In My Dreams (Blue Note) [02-27] - jazz [**]
  • Peter Furlan: The Peter Furlan Project Live at Maureen's Jazz Cellar (Beany Bops) [01-26] - jazz [*]
  • Gogol Bordello: We Mean It, Man! (Casa Gogol) [02-13] - indie rock [***]
  • Kim Gordon: Play Me (Matador) [03-13] - industrial [***]
  • Al Green: To Love Somebody (Fat Possum -EP) [01-16] - r&b [**]
  • Barry Greene: Giants (Origin) [04-17] - jazz [U]
  • Andy Haas: In Praise of Insomnia (Resonant Music) - jazz [**]
  • Jared Hall: Hometown (Origin) [04-17] - jazz [U]
  • Tigran Hamasyan: Manifeste (Naïve) [02-06] - jazz [B]
  • Simon Hanes: Gargantua (Pyroclastic) [03-27] - jazz [**]
  • Heavenly: Highway to Heavenly (Skep Wax) [02-27] - twee pop [*]
  • Hemlocke Springs: The Apple Tree Under the Sea (AWAL) [02-13] - pop [***]
  • Christopher Hoffman: REX (Out of Your Head) [01-16] - jazz [**]
  • Jasper Høiby 's 3Elements: Conversations of Hope (Edition) [03-27] - jazz
  • Steven Husted and Friends: Two Nights - "Live!" (self-released)) [02-16] - jazz [*]
  • Joshua Idehen: I Know You're Hurting, Everyone Is Hurting, Everyone Is Trying, You Have Got to Try (Heavenly) [03-06] - UK hip-hop [A-]
  • Imarhan: Essam (City Slang) [01-16] - tishoumaren [***]
  • The Interplay Jazz Orchestra: Bite Your Tongue (self-released) [02-26] - jazz [***]
  • Jon Irabagon: Focus Out (Irrabagast) [03-13] - jazz [***]
  • Jon Irabagon and Dan Oestreicher: Saturday's Child (Irrabagast) [03-13] - jazz [***]
  • Grace Ives: Girlfriend (True Panther/Capitol) [03-20] - alt-pop [***]
  • Javon Jackson: Jackson Plays Dylan (Solid Jackson/Palmetto) [03-27] - jazz [*]
  • Jamile/Vinicius Gomes: Boundless Species (La Reserve) [04-03] - Brazilian jazz [***]
  • Robert Jospé Quartet: The Night Sky (self-released) [01-11] - jazz [U]
  • Joyce Manor: I Used to Go to This Bar (Epitaph -EP) [01-30] [*]
  • The Paul Keller Orchestra: Thank You Notes: The Music of Gregg Hill (Cold Plunge) [03-27] - jazz [**]
  • DeYeon Kim: Wellspring (TAO Forms) [05-01] - jazz [U]
  • Erica von Kleist: Picc Pocket (self-released) [04-23] - jazz [U]
  • Anna Kolchina: Reach for Tomorrow (OA2) [02-27] - jazz [A-]
  • Steve Kovalcheck: Buckshot Blues (OA2) [04-03] - jazz [***]
  • Ladytron: Paradises (Nettwerk) [03-20] - electropop [*]
  • Julian Lage: Scenes From Above (Blue Note) [01-23] - jazz [*]
  • Brian Landrus: Just When You Think You Know (BlueLand/Palmetto) [03-20] - jazz [*]
  • Lazy Californians: Back to San Francisco (Angel Island) [02-13] - jazz [***]
  • Scott Lee: Greetings From Florida: Postcards From Paradise (Sunnyside) [04-16] - jazz [*]
  • Tom Lippincott: Ode to the Possible (self-released) [03-02] - jazz [**]
  • Gil Livni: All In (OA2) [01-16] - jazz [**]
  • Mark Lomax II & the Urban Art Ensemble: The Unity Suite (CFG Multimedia) - jazz [A-]
  • Shawn Lovato: Biotic (Endectomorph Music) [02-13] - jazz [***]
  • Lisanne Lyons: May I Come In (OA2) [02-27] - jazz [**]
  • Chris Madsen/Dana Hall/Clark Sommers: Threefold (Calligram) [03-06] - jazz [***]
  • Mandy, Indiana: Urgh (Sacred Bones) [02-06] - noise pop [***]
  • Luke Marantz/Simon Jermyn: Echoes (Chill Tone) [01-09] - jazz [**]
  • Roc Marciano: 656 (self-released) [01-23] - hip-hop [**]
  • Bruno Mars: The Romantic (Atlantic) [02-26] - pop [*]
  • The Messthetics and James Brandon Lewis: Deface the Currency (Impulse!) [02-20] - jazz [B]
  • Pat Metheny: Side-Eye III+ (Ubiquity Music) [02-27] - jazz [*]
  • Mitski: Nothing's About to Happen to Me (Dead Oceans) [02-27] - singer-songwriter [*]
  • Model/Actriz: Swan Songs (True Panther/Dirty Hit -EP) [03-23] - dance-punk [**]
  • Michael Moody: The Ecstasy of Love (self-released) [03-20] - vocal jazz [B-]
  • Megan Moroney: Cloud 9 (Columbia Nashville) [02-20] - country [***]
  • Van Morrison: Somebody Tried to Sell Me a Bridge (Townsend Music/Orangefield) [01-23] - blues [*]
  • Quinsin Nachoff: Patterns From Nature (Whirlwind) [02-27] - jazz [***]
  • Negative Press Project: Friction Quartet (Envelopmental Music) [01-30] - jazz [*]
  • Angelika Niescier: Chicago Tapes (Intakt) [01-23] - jazz [***]
  • Luke Norris: Moment From the Past (self-released) [03-20] - jazz [***]
  • Lord Jah-Monte Ogbon: As of Now (Lex) [01-30] - hip-hop [A-]
  • Meg Okura: Isaiah (Adhyâropa) [02-20] - jazz [A-]
  • Kate Olson: So It Goes (OA2) [01-16] - jazz [***]
  • Beto Paciello: The Stoic Suite (Moons Arts) [04-17] - jazz [U]
  • Chenxi Pan: This Very Moment (Origin) [03-20] - jazz [B]
  • The Paranoid Style: Known Associates (Bar/None) [02-13] [A-]
  • Pony: Clearly Cursed (Take This to Heart) [02-13] - indie pop [**]
  • Poppy: Empty Hands (Sumerian) [01-23] - metalcore [*]
  • Benjie Porecki: Faster Than We Know (Funklove Productions) [03-02] - jazz [*]
  • PVA: No More Like This (It's All for Fun) [01-23] - trip-hop [***]
  • Ratboys: Singin' to an Empty Chair (New West) [02-06] - indie-rock [**]
  • The Tomeka Reid Quartet: Dance! Skip! Hop! (Out of Your Head) [02-13] - jazz [A-]
  • Ren: Vincent's Tale (Freckled Angels/Rebel Creator Services) [01-29] - UK hip-hop [A-]
  • Reverso: Between Two Silences (Alternate Side) [03-27] - jazz [***]
  • Ron Rieder: Compositions in Blue and Other Hues (Meson) [01-01] - jazz [**]
  • RJD2 & Supastition: According To (RJ's Electrical Connections) [02-27] - hip-hop [A-]
  • Emily Scott Robinson: Appalachia (Oh Boy) [01-30] - country
  • Jim Robitaille Trio: Sonic (Whaling City Sound) [04-01] - jazz [U]
  • Robyn: Sexistential (Konichiwa/Young) [03-27] - pop [A-]
  • Yvonne Rogers: The Button Jar (Pyroclastic) [05-08] - jazz [U]
  • Ben Rosenblum: The Longest Way Round (One Trick Dog) [02-27] - jazz [***]
  • Ted Rosenthal Trio: The Good Old Days (TMR Music) [05-01] - jazz [U]
  • Joel Ross: Gospel Music (Blue Note) [01-30] - jazz [**]
  • Harvie S: Bright Dawn (Origin) [03-20] - jazz [**]
  • Marta Sanchez: For the Space You Left (Out of Your Head) [04-17] - jazz [A-]
  • Sault: Chapter 1 (Forever Living Originals) [01-09] - funk [**]
  • Fie Schouten/Vincent Courtois/Sofia Borges/Pierre Baux: Open Space (Relative Pitch) [03-27] - jazz [U]
  • Dave Schumacher & Cubeye: Agua Con Gas (Cubeye Music) [04-17] - jazz [B]
  • Jill Scott: To Whom It May Concern ()
  • Brandon Seabrook: Hellbent Daydream (Pyroclastic) [02-20] - jazz [*]
  • Noé Sécula/Jorge Rossy: A Sphere Between Other Obsessions (Fresh Sound New Talent) [01-30] - jazz [*]
  • Shabaka: Of the Earth (Shabaka) [03-06] - jazz [*]
  • Aaron Shaw: And So It Is (Leaving) [02-13] - spiritual jazz [*]
  • Sideshow: Tigray Funk (10k) [02-27] - hip-hop [**]
  • Paul Silbergleit Trio: The Stillness of July (Calligram) [05-01] - jazz [U]
  • Sleaford Mods: The Demise of Planet X (Rough Trade) [01-16] - synth punk [**]
  • Slut Intent: Slutworld (self-released -EP) [01-01] - hardcore [*]
  • Walter Smith III: Twio Vol. 2 (Blue Note) [03-06] - jazz [**]
  • Snail Mail: Ricochet (Matador) [03-27] - alt/indie [*]
  • Yuyo Sotashe & Chris Pattishall: Invocation (self-released -EP) [03-20] - jazz [**]
  • Alister Spence: Always Ever (Alister Spence Music) [04-24] - jazz [U]
  • Squirrel Nut Zippers: Squirrel Nut Zippers Starring in "Fat City" (The Ballad of Lil' Tony) (Music Maker) [03-06] - jazz cabaret [**]
  • Karen Stachel, Norbert Stachel & LehCats: Live @ the Breakroom With Giovanni Hidalgo (Purple Room Productions, 2CD) [03-20] - jazz [***]
  • Dave Stryker: Blue Fire: The Van Gelder Session (Strikezone) [01-09] - jazz [**]
  • Kevin Sun: Lofi at Lowlands 三 (Endectomorph Music) [03-13] - jazz [**]
  • Mattias Svensson: Embrace (Origin) [01-16] - jazz [**]
  • Craig Taborn: Dream Archives (ECM) [01-16] - jazz [*]
  • They Might Be Giants: Eyeball (Idlewild -EP) [01-15] - art rock [B-]
  • Vance Thompson: Lost and Found (Moondo) [01-16] - jazz [*]
  • Tinariwen: Hoggar (Wedge) [03-13] - Saharan [**]
  • Carolyn Trowbridge: Found Memories (self-released) [01-09] - jazz [B]
  • Harriet Tubman & Georgia Muldrow: Electical Field of Love (Pi) [03-27] - jazz [***]
  • Gregory Uhlmann: Extra Stars (International Anthem) [03-06] - jazz [*]
  • Underscores: U (self-released) [03-20] - electrpop [**]
  • Ben Wendel: BaRcoDe (Edition) [03-13] - jazz [**]
  • Immanuel Wilkins Quartet: Live at the Village Vanguard Vol. 1 (Blue Note) [03-20] - jazz [**]
  • Lucinda Williams: World's Gone Wrong () [01-23] - roots rock
  • Winged Wheel: Desert So Green (12XU) [01-09] - rock [**]
  • Jack Wood: For Every Man There's a Woman (Jazz Hang) [03-24] - jazz [***]
  • Xaviersobased: Xavier (1C/Surf Gang/Atlantic) [01-30] - hip-hop [**]
  • Zel: Still Right Here (self-released) [02-12] - plugg [***]
  • Zu: Ferrum Sidereum (House of Mythology) [01-09] - avant-metal [**]

Reissues, Etc.

  • Marty Ehrlich/Julius Hemphill: Circle the Heart (1982, Relative Pitch) [01-23] - jazz [**]
  • Bill Evans: At the BBC (1965, Elemental Music) [04-18] - jazz [U]
  • Dexter Gordon: Dexter Calling . . . (1961, Blue Note Tone Poet) [05-01] - jazz [B+]
  • Bennie Green: Back on the Scene (1958, Blue Note Tone Poet) [02-06] - jazz [***]
  • Grupo Um: Nineteen Seventy Seven (1977, Far Out) [01-30] - fusion [**]
  • Andrew Hill: Compulsion!!!!! (1965, Blue Note Tone Poet) [03-06] - jazz [A-]
  • Bobby Hutcherson: Components (1965, Blue Note Tone Poet) - jazz [***]
  • Fred Jackson: Hootin' 'N Tootin' (1962, Blue Note Tone Poet) [04-03] - jazz [B+]
  • Freddie King: Feeling Alright: The Complete 1975 Nancy Pulsations Concert (Elemental Music -2CD) [04-18] - blues [U]
  • Doug MacDonald Trio: Live in Beverly Hills (2012, DMAC Music) [01-01] - jazz [**]
  • Hank Mobley: Hank (1957, Blue Note Tone Poet) [01-09] - jazz [***]
  • Lee Morgan: City Lights (1957, Blue Note Tone Poet) [02-06] - jazz [**]
  • Michel Petrucciani: Kuumbwa (1987, Elemental Music -2CD) [04-18] - jazz [U]
  • Ranil Y Su Conjunto Tropical: Galaxia Tropical (Analog Africa) [02-06] - Peru [A-]
  • Paul Ricci: The Path (1996-2021, Origin) [01-16] - jazz [**]
  • Cecil Taylor Unit: Fragments: The Complete 1969 Salle Pleyel Concerts (Elemental Music -2CD) [04-18] - jazz [U]
  • Twisted Teens: Blame the Clown (2025, Jazz Life) [02-13] - punk [**]
  • John Vanore & Abstract Truth: Easter Island Suite (1989-2024, Acoustical Concepts) [02-06] - jazz [*]
  • Tyrone Washington: Natural Essence (1967, Blue Note Tone Poet) [01-09] - jazz [A-]
  • Larry Young: Mothership (1969, Blue Note Tone Poet) [04-03] - jazz [B+]
  • CBGB: A New York City Soundtrack 1975-1986 (Cherry Red -4CD) - punk
  • Steppin' Out: The Roots of Garage Rock 1963-1965 (Strawberry -3CD) - rock

Priority Counts

  • Priority 2: 9
  • Priority 3: 5
  • Priority 4: 87
  • Priority 5: 90

Total: 191