Album Recommendations – June2026

I’ve given up on trying to regularly write reviews of new albums, but I still want to share albums I enjoyed.  Below are several new (and new-ish) albums – no ratings, no criticism – just music I enjoy listening to and hope you will to.

Album: Dear Children of Our Children, I Knew: Epilogue 
Artist: Alabaster DePlume
Genre: Jazz
Release Date: April 18, 2026
Label: International Anthem
Favorite Tracks:

• Bringing Up The Nakba
• I Play A Role In It and I Know
• Glass

English jazz saxophone player and spoken-word artist Angus Fairbairn performs under the name Alabaster DePlume.  Apart from his eclectic musical style, he is known for his activism which is evident even in the instrumental pieces on this collection.

Album: Fold
Artist: Jump Source
Genre: Electronic
Release Date:April 30, 2026
Label: naff
Favorite Tracks:

• Shattered (feat. Helena Deland & Ross Meen)
• Affect (feat. Loukeman)
• Fade City (feat. Deaton Chris Anthony)
• Fold (feat. CFCF & Helena Deland)
• Museum Fatigue

Jump Source are the electronic duo of Francis Latreille and Patrick Holland from Montreal, Quebec.  Their music transcends the dance floor to places of reflection.

Album: FENIAN
Artist: Kneecap
Genre: Hip hop
Release Date: 1 May 2026
Label: Heavenly
Favorite Tracks:

• Smugglers & Scholars
• Carnival
• Liars Tale
• FENIAN
• Irish Goodbye (feat. Kae Tempest)

The politically-active hip hop trip from Belfast returns with the follow-up to their debut album Fine Art.  The album gestated in the wake of Kneecap’s North American tour getting canceled due to the group’s opposition to Israel’s attacks on Gaza, as well as bogus terrorism charges against band member Mo Chara. The album demonstrates that Kneecap have also grown musically since their first album.

Album: Loud Bloom
Artist: Olof Dreijer
Genre: Electronic
Release Date: May 8, 2026
Label: Rabid Records
Favorite Tracks:

• Rosa Rugosa
• Makwande
• Blood Lilly
• Iris

Olof Dreijer is Swedish DJ and producer most known for being part of The Knife, a duo with his sister Karin Dreijer (who also performs under the name Fever Ray).  Dreijer’s first full-length work as a solo artist joyfully mixes African and Latin dance styles with electronic music.

Album: Now You Exist
Artist: The Field
Genre: Electronic
Release Date: May 15, 2026
Label: Studio Barnhus
Favorite Tracks:

• In Our Dreams

The Field is the stage name for Axel Willner, another Swedish DJ and producer.  This EP showcases his minimalist techno style.

Album: REDSTAR WU & THE WORLDWIDE SCOURGE
Artist: Genesis Owusu
Genre: Hip Hop/Neo-soul
Release Date: May 15, 2026
Label: Ourness
Favorite Tracks:

• PIRATE RADIO
• STAMPEDE
• DEATH CULT ZOMBIE

Genre-jumping, Ghanian-born Australian artist Genesis Owusu returns with a third album making sharp observations on the political and social crises of the world.  According to Wikipedia, “The music blends neo soul with alt-pop, synth-punk, deep funk and Brit rock stylings,” which just scratches the surface of Owusu’s eclecticism.

Album: Flame Folclòre 
Artist: Cocanha
Genre: Occitan Folk
Release Date: May 15, 2026
Label: Les DIsques Bongo Joe – Pagans
Favorite Tracks:

• Adissiatz Palhassonaira
• La Majorana
• Au nòst’ casalòt
• Diuré samsir

Cocanha are the French duo Caroline Dufau and Lila Fraysse.  This collections includes original music based on Occitan folk traditions.  Occitan is an endangered language spoken by people in the southern region of France.

Album: Rumspringa
Artist: ear
Genre: Electronic
Release Date: May 29, 2026
Label: A24 Music
Favorite Tracks:

• Coil
• Ne Plus Ultra
• F
• Good Day Will Arrive

If you do not enjoy minimalist electronic music, you’re not going to be pleased that I have yet another recommendation in this genre.  ear are the duo of Jonah Paz and Yaelle Avtan who began recording while attending Bard College a couple of years ago.

Album Recommendations – May 2026

I’ve given up on trying to regularly write reviews of new albums, but I still want to share albums I enjoyed.  Below are several new (and new-ish) albums – no ratings, no criticism – just music I enjoy listening to and hope you will to.

Album: Indigo Park
Artist: Bruce Hornsby
Genre: Heartland rock
Release Date: April 3, 2026
Label: Zappo Productions | Thirty Tigers
Favorite Tracks:

• Indigo Park
• Silhouette Shadows
• Alabama
• Might As Well Be Me, Florinda

I was a big fan of Bruce Hornsby back in the 1980s and 1990s but have lost touch with his career since then, so it was nice to be reminded that he’s still making good music.  Back when I lived in Williamsburg, VA he was a local celebrity frequently spotted in restaurants and stores.  This album shows his eclectic style of heartland rock fused with jazz, classical, and folk music.  Guest artists include Bonnie Raitt, Bob Weir, and Ezra Koenig.

Album: Daydreaming
Artist: Arrows of Athena
Genre: Alternative Rock
Release Date: April 3, 2026
Label: Belhaven Records
Favorite Tracks:

• Abandoned Love
• Room With a View
• You’re Not All That
• She’s Late to the Party

The Boston-based duo of Scott Lerner and Jac-Lyn Gibson make up this energetic indie rock/pop group.  Their music has a very 1990s vibe if you’re into that.

Album: The Undone is Done Again
Artist: Tanya Donelly and Chris Brokaw
Genre: Medieval
Release Date: April 17, 2026
Label: Fire Records
Favorite Tracks:

• Novvus Annis Adiit
• Sainte Nicholaes
• In Hoc Anni Circulo
• Plaudat Letitia

Speaking of Boston-based artists from the 90s, Tanya Donnelly (Throwing Muses, The Breeders, Belly) and Chris Brokaw (Come and Codeine) have teamed up for this EP of … medieval music. If the idea of carols and ballads of the middle ages arranged for electric guitar appeals to you, check it out!

Album Recommendations – April 2026

I’ve given up on trying to regularly write reviews of new albums, but I still want to share albums I enjoyed.  Below are several new (and new-ish) albums – no ratings, no criticism – just music I enjoy listening to and hope you will to.

Album: Midnight Feature
Artist: Grace Givertz
Genre:  Indie Folk
Release Date: March 13, 2026
Label: Self-released
Favorite Tracks:

• Purgatory
• In 500 ft, Your Destination is on the Right
• Black Belt (feat. Rat Tally)
• Midnight Feature
• America (feat. Jake Blount)

Boston-based folk musician Grace Givertz lends her unique voice to songs of heartbreak and the experience of being bi-racial in a predominantly white folk scene.

Album: Foggy Mountain Mental Breakdown
Artist: Sweet Petunia
Genre: Americana
Release Date: March 13, 2026
Label: Righteous Babe Records
Favorite Tracks:

• Kennedy Rag/Clementine
• I Wanna Run
• Grub
• Heels
• Guise

The Boston-based duo of Maddy Simpson and Mairead Guy take a contemporary approach to Americana/old-time music with banjo, acoustic guitar, and close harmonies.

Album: Land of the Noon-Day Moon
Artist: Boxing Robin
Genre: Traditional Folk
Release Date: February 27, 2026
Label: Richard Cunningham
Favorite Tracks:

• Ned Coleman’s #2/The Orphan
• Bonaparte Crossing the Rhine/Time Will End
• Ridee six Temps/Quand les Garçons Vont Aux Noces
• The Scots Guards Set

Tennessee-based duo Rick Cunningham and Gypsy Youngraven use instruments like button accordions and Hurdy Gurdy to perform traditional music styles from Ireland, Scotland, France, England, and Brittany.

Album: Creature of Habit
Artist: Courtney Barnett
Genre: Indie Rock
Release Date: March 27, 2026
Label: Mom + Pop
Favorite Tracks:

• Stay in Your Lane
• Mantis
• Same
• Another Beautiful Day

I’ve been following Australian singer-songwriter Courtney Bartnett since her first album Sometimes I Sit and Think, and Sometimes I Just Sit came out in 2015 so it’s a pleasure to see her return with her fourth album.

Album: Ö
Artist: Fcukers
Genre: Electronic
Release Date: March 27, 2026
Label: Ninja Tune
Favorite Tracks:

• Beatback
• if you wanna party, come over to my house
• Shake it Up

Fcukers are the electronic music duo of Shanny Wise and Jackson Walker Lewis from New York City.  This is their debut album.  It slaps.

This mornings family dance party is brought to you by Astrocolor 😊

If for a fresh take on Christmas music I HIGHLY recommend this album!!!

#music #albumrecommendation #chrismasmusic