Greetings music enthusiasts, I hope everything is going well for you in 2026 (I can’t believe we’re in April already!). This month’s essay is essentially the article I had written last year, narrated by yours truly, the Doctor of Sputnik, with some tasty visuals to back it up. I actually think the essay is brought to life with this video version, so I hope you enjoy it. I’m still finding my rhythm with it all, but I would definitely say this is the best essay I’ve done thus far for the YouTube channel. If you didn’t read the article back when it was first published and you don’t know the tale behind Skinny Puppy or their music, you’re in for a treat as this is a very interesting tale centred around addiction, passive aggression, torment, and unfettered artistry — an environment that created some of the greatest industrial albums ever recorded.
On a side note: My aim was to try and drop one of these essays every month, but the work involved is quite a lot more than I initially intended, so the sustainability of this goal isn’t tenable. I’m in the middle of writing a script, but I can’t guarantee it’ll be ready for May. Time will tell, but there’s a few albums out in the coming months that will use up my free time.
Watch the full video here:
Recommended albums:
Bites, 1985
– List of Releases: April 3rd, 2026 –
Angine de Poitrine – Vol.II Genre: Math Rock / Psychedelic Rock Label: [independent]
Arlo Parks – Ambiguous Desire Genre: Alt-Pop / Alternative R&B Label: Transgressive
The Bevis Frond – Horrorful Heights Genre: Psychedelic Rock / Folk Rock Label: Fire
HEY! LISTEN! Below is a beefier-than-usual, but still unfinished-by-design list of new releases for the week of March 27th, 2026. They say that there is no medicine that can cure a fool… I guess that’s true. Feel free to jam the playlist below, request reviews from staff and contributors, let us know what you’re looking forward to this week (in music or otherwise), and remember: the flow of time is always cruel.
– List of Releases: March 27th, 2026 –
The Academy Is… – Almost There Genre: Power Pop / New Wave Label: I Surrender
The way I see it, there’s two types of people: those who spend their lives trying to build a future and those who spend their lives trying to rebuild the past. Below is an intentionally incomplete list of new releases for the week of March 20th, 2026. Feel free to jam the playlist below, request reviews from staff and contributors, let us know what you’re looking forward to this week (in music or otherwise), and remember: nothing’s a cliché when it’s happening to you.
– List of Releases: March 20th, 2026 –
Alex Isley – When the City Sleeps Genre: Contemporary R&B / Neo-Soul Label: Warner
Asian Glow – Arin Cot Genre: Shoegaze / Noise Pop Label: Longinus
Assignment – With the End Comes Silence Genre: Progressive Metal / Power Metal Label: Massacre
Attila – Concrete Throne Genre: Nu Metal / Metalcore Label: [independent]
Avalon Emerson & The Charm – Written into Changes Genre: Dream Pop / Baggy Label: Dead Oceans
Hello fellow Sputters, this month is special because we have a brand new crop of contributing reviewers! Brickhed, iswimfast, ShartHarder and AlkemestRedux have prepared their favorite songs of February for us all to enjoy. Here they are!
iswimfast’s SOTM – Salva by Karnivool
“Unlike any other closer in Karnivool’s back catalog, ‘Salva’ plays like a finale. Ian Kenny glides so naturally over its build that it’s almost haunting, delivering a forlorn stare over a restless ocean. It’s subdued; built off of acceptance and hope for a questionable future. But there’s comfort, as “there ain’t no place I’d rather be”, and his bandmates are steadfast by his side. The basslines give pulse and guitar crescendos cascade, affording each other space while pulling forward and upward through foggy uncertainty. Karnivool of old would tease and disassemble, balking at the beauty of the moment, but not now. When the soaring release of the bridge hits (and the bagpipes-by-guitar burst), it lands like a true conclusion. Not just for In Verses, but for Karnivool as a project. It’s hard to not feel moved in that moment, as the band limped out this 4th record after 13 long years, and feel genuine acknowledgement that this might be the end of the road. And if it is, what an end it made.”
AlkemestRedux’s SOTM – Grace Notes by Iron and Wine
“Sam Beam’s songs keep finding their way back into my life. Listening to “Our Endless Numbered Days” now conjures…
Our actions have consequences. To be reminded of them is not punishment. Below is a non-exhaustive list of new releases for the week of March 13th, 2026. Forgiveness can be powerful, even for the unworthy. Feel free to jam the playlist below, request reviews from staff and contributors, let us know what you’re looking forward to this week (in music or otherwise), and remember: you must live with your deeds, but don’t be troubled by them.
– List of Releases: March 13th, 2026 –
A Somber Funeral – Since You Left These Shores Genre: Atmospheric Black Metal / Blackgaze Label: Fiadh
Alexis Taylor – Paris in the Spring Genre: Art Pop / Indietronica Label: Night Time Stories
Anjimile – You’re Free to Go Genre: Alt-Pop / Avant-Folk Label: 4AD
Art School Girlfriend – Lean In Genre: Glitch Pop / Indietronica Label: Fiction
The Black Crowes – A Pound of Feathers Genre: Blues Rock / Southern Rock Label: Silver Arrow
Bound in Fear – A Mind Too Sick to Heal Genre: Downtempo Deathcore / Slam Death Metal Label: Unique Leader
Brigitte Calls Me Baby – Irreversible Genre: Post-Punk Revival / Big Music Label: ATO
Cashier – The Weight [EP] Genre: Shoegaze / Noise Pop
Hello fellow Sputters, here is February’s release of the month. Unsurprisingly, Converge has won (deservedly so) and our brother jrlikestodance has prepared a blurb for us!
“At this point in their career, what does Converge have left to prove? They dominated the metalcore genre in the 2000s with groundbreaking releases then further experimented with melody to expand their sound throughout the 2010s. Starting the 2020s with a collab album as adventurous as Bloodmoon, this left fans asking, “What happens next?” With Love Is Not Enough this is a refinement of everything they’ve done in their career up to this point in a concise 31 minute package. In a way this is a “back to basics” album, but given their track record it is almost refreshing in a sense. You still have your mosh ready cuts like “Amon Amok”, “Force Meets Presence” and the title track where you can envision the pit opening in your mind. However, this is Converge and you know they will also embrace the dynamics of their sound. The band taps into their always tasty sludgy influences on “Gilded Cage” and tugs on your heartstrings with powerful songs like “Make Me Forget You” and “We Were Never the Same”. Having these cuts at the end of the album is almost like a reward for surviving the onslaught of hard riffs and breakdowns without compromising the intensity of the record. The briefness of this album has you ready to fire it up…
Oh, hi. So. How are you holding up? Because I’m a potato. Below is a smattering of new releases for the week of March 6th, 2026. Look at you. Sailing through the air majestically. Like an eagle. Piloting a blimp. Feel free to jam the playlist below, request reviews from staff and contributors, let us know what you’re looking forward to this week (in music or otherwise), and remember: the square root of rope is string.
– List of Releases: March 6th, 2026 –
Acranius – Whiteout Genre: Slam Death Metal / Deathcore Label: Blood Blast
Andrew Wasylyk – Irreparable Parables Genre: Chamber Jazz / ECM Style Jazz Label: Clay Pipe
Bitter Branches – Let’s Give the Land Back to the Animals Genre: Noise Rock / Post-Hardcore Label: Equal Vision
Black Lung – Forever Beyond Genre: Stoner Rock / Heavy Psych Label: Magnetic Eye
Bonnie ‘Prince’ Billy – We Are Together Again Genre: Contemporary Folk / Americana Label: No Quarter
Book of Churches – Book of Churches Genre: Chamber Folk / Contemporary Folk Label: Gravity
Bosse-de-Nage – Hidden Fires Burn Hottest Genre: Atmospheric Black Metal / Post-Metal Label: The Fensler
In May of this year, it will mark the 30th anniversary of one of my all-time favourite albums, from one of my all-time favourite artists. For those unfamiliar with George Michael’s work and think of the upbeat popstar in Wham!, Older is actually a very dark and bleak record wrought by tragedy, suffering, and depression. However, what makes it so special, in spite of the sombre tone the album operates on, is the glimmers of optimism and hope nestled within the messaging. It’s a deeply personal album that has a very interesting backstory behind it, so I thought my next album analysis would look into this spectacular record for its 30th birthday.
Watch the full video here:
Stream the album here:
Recommended Tracks:
“Jesus to a Child”
“Fastlove”
“You Have Been Loved”
A boatload more content is going to be coming onto the YouTube channel in 2026, so consider subscribing so you don’t miss any of it:
You’ve been a good friend to me. That means something. Below is a sample of new releases for the week of February 27th, 2026. A NEW HAND TOUCHES THE BEACON! Feel free to jam the playlist below, request reviews from staff and contributors, let us know what you’re looking forward to this week (in music or otherwise), and remember: there are so few pleasures in life as fine as your company.
– List of Releases: February 27th, 2026 –
A Wilhelm Scream – Cheap Heat Genre: Melodic Hardcore / Skate Punk Label: Creator-Destructor
And Also the Trees – The Devil’s Door Genre: Art Rock / Gothic Rock Label: And Also the Trees
Archive – Glass Minds Genre: Art Rock / Ambient Pop Label: Dangervisit
Bill Callahan – My Days of 58 Genre: Chamber Folk / Indie Rock Label: Drag City
Black Swan – Paralyzed Genre: Hard Rock / Glam Metal Label: Frontiers
After a a long holiday break, we are finally back with another edition of our contributors’ songs of the month! Let’s see what JoyfulPlatypus and Futures had to say about their favorite tunes from January!
JoyfulPlatypus’ SOTM: Grey Guitar by Joyce Manor
“Joyce Manor’s latest album, I Used To Go To This Bar, is a very early contender for album of the year. One of the LP’s biggest highlights is its masterpiece of a closer, “Grey Guitar”. As is the case with pretty much every other Joyce Manor track, it’s short, sweet, and to the point. I’m not often someone who delves into lyrics and tries to seek their meaning, but this is a song whose lyrical content stood out to be from the very beginning. The song’s lyrics, much like other songs, are of course open to interpretation, but they appear to tell the story of a man who’s either struggling with mental health issues or longing for a long-lost friend/lover – pondering whether they’re even alive anymore. Even aside from the captivating lyrics, the track is an absolute earworm, with a chorus that has remained stuck in my head on-and-off ever since I first heard it. Of course I wish it were longer, but as it stands, it’s about as memorable and touching as songs can get, and is far-and-away the best song to release in January.”
Futures’ SOTM: The Last Note by Megadeth
“Although his guitar wizardry may lead you to believe otherwise, Dave Mustaine…
Some gentle housekeeping: there seems to be a resurgence of phobic and/or ableist slurs of late and this must cease, please. When the trash takes itself out like lemmings, there’s no need to regress into edgelord posturing. Give a man a little power, and he falls in all kinds of love with himself. Also, the 2025 staff list is appreciably similar to the community list — who else was going to put Deafheaven at #1 along with The Callous Daoboys and Ethel Cain in the Top 5? One fun fact is that Oklou made its way high up in the 30-11 tier. Love is a chemical; we give it meaning by choice. Whether you are a daily presence (hi!), took a short break (welcome back!), or are returning after a long respite (samesies!), we love you, even if we don’t love the site “randomly” timing out. Below is a small batch of new releases for the week of February 20th to continue placating the one person who thinks these get posted too late in the week. We all make choices, but in the end, our choices make us. Feel free to jam the playlist below, request reviews from staff and contributors, let us know what you’re looking forward to this week (in music or otherwise), and yes, congratulations, you’ve won a battle of wits with a home appliance!
Hello, my lovelies: below is a not-thorough list of new releases for the week of February 13th to pacify the one person who thinks these get posted too late in the week. Feel free to jam the playlist below, request reviews from staff and contributors, let us know what you’re looking forward to this week (in music or otherwise), and remember: Valentine’s Day is this weekend, and you choo-choo-choose us anyway. Yay!
– List of Releases: February 13th, 2026 –
Angel Du$t – Cold 2 the Touch Genre: Hardcore Punk / Melodic Hardcore Label: Run for Cover
Ásgeir – Julia Genre: Folk Pop / Indie Folk Label: One Little Independent
Ashbringer – Subglacial Genre: Atmospheric Black Metal / Blackgaze Label: nothingspace
Bloodred – Colours of Pain Genre: Melodic Black Metal / Melodic Death Metal Label: Massacre
Howdy, y’all — below is a short list of new releases for February 6th, 2026. Feel free to jam the playlist below, request reviews from staff and contributors, let us know what you’re looking forward to this week (in music or otherwise), and have a stupendous Super Bowl weekend.
– List of Releases: February 6th, 2026 –
Alice Costelloe – Move On With the Year Genre: Art Pop / Indie Folk Label: Moshi Moshi
Assignment – With the End Comes Silence Genre: Progressive Metal / Power Metal Label: Massacre
Before I Turn – Immoral and Malevolent Happenings Genre: Metalcore / Djent Label: Breakthrough
Beverly Glenn-Copeland – Laughter in Summer Genre: Chamber Pop / Progressive Soul Label: Transgressive
Big Big Train – Woodcut Genre: Progressive Rock / Rock Opera Label: InsideOut
Boris – Journey [Live Album] Genre: Noise Rock / Psychedelic Rock Label: [bandcamp exclusive]
Daphni – Butterfly Genre: Progressive House / Funky House Label: Jiaolong
Dream Nails – You Wish Genre: Post-Punk / Garage Rock Label: Marshall
Ella Mai – Do You Still Love Me? Genre: Contemporary R&B / Chipmunk Soul Label: 10 Summers
Another month, another release to blow us away….well, most of us hopefully! This month’s winner is Dreamcrush by Mol and here’s a blurb brought to us courtesy of lucazade22!
Whilst Mol’s earlier work drew endless comparisons to Deafheaven, this latest record finds them branching out and carving their own path. It remains blackgaze at heart, but now incorporates a variety of different genres, including elements of prog and dream pop. The end result is an incredibly fun, varied, and engaging album that never fails to surprise. Despite the evolution in their sound, thankfully some things remain the same. Mol has always had an uncanny ability to craft the catchiest, most euphoric choruses in the genre, and this album is no exception. The lead single, “Garland”, is so addictive it should come with a health warning, while “Dissonance” and “Young” boast some irresistible, melodic leads. All of it comes neatly packaged in a 42-minute runtime that never outstays its welcome. The perfect tonic to a bleak and dreary month, Mol have delivered another fantastic album to add to their impressive back catalogue. Just a note to existing fans don’t come into this expecting Mol of the same!
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