For almost 10 years now, I start a new playlist for music I find during that calendar year. I do this not as a public service to you, although it is quite the altruistic thing to do, but as a way to keep track of what I’m listening to. Every year it gets more difficult to find new music by new artists I like. I think it’s because there’s an ongoing battle between “the music industrial complex” (these characterizations are very cliché now, but I use them anyway) and independent artists.
I didn’t watch the Grammys last night, but I did read through the nominees and winners. There was only one artist I listened to last year who was nominated and actually won, and that was Oliva Dean. The song that was everywhere last year is not my favorite track from her album. The one I favored is A Couple Minutes. I think it’s a much better song than Man I Need.
I keep searching, though, to find new stuff, and so far in 2026 I have a couple of EPs, a couple of albums, and a few singles added to the playlist. This most likely won’t be the final track list of the year, as I add some and remove some, but I think it’s a good start.
You can listen to the playlist on YouTube or Spotify. You can also see my other playlists if you go to the music link in the menu at the top of the site.
Here are the artists and albums/EPs so far:
- The Retrograde – No Sleep on Adams Street
- Circle the Earth – Sabotage
- Amber Mark – Pretty Idea
- Courtney Barnett – A few singles hopefully from an upcoming album
- Ella Eyre – everything, in time
- Rachel Chinouriri – Little House
- Bruno Mars – I Just Might
Enjoy! And don’t say I never gave you anything.
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