New Albums January 23, 2026

 New Music Releases 1/23/26

New music Friday rolled around again and this was the biggest one for me so far this year. We have five albums to talk about this week. So, let's not waste any time and just right into it.

Louis Tomlinson - "How Did I Get Here?"

Have I Listened to This Artist Before: Solo? No.

Standout Songs: "Lemonade," "Palaces," "Dark to Light," "Jump the Gun"

First Impressions: I'm sorry Louis, but I feel like I have to start this off by saying that it is unfortunate that you released this album the same day that your former band mate, Harry Styles, released his excellent new single, "Aperture." It just really hammers home the point that Harry was the Beyoncé of One Direction. And you should go listen to "Aperture," because it is amazing. And then maybe come back and listen to this. It's not a bad album. It's perfectly serviceable British, guitar pop. It's just not really doing anything new. Where Harry is trying new things, trying to be unique, Louis is staying firmly in this lane. Again, I will say this is extremely listenable, which is a compliment. And, I think that the back half of the album is a lot better than the front half and I hope that he leans into that in the future.

Would I Purchase This Album: No

Poppy - "Empty Hands"

Have I Listened to This Artist Before: A little bit

Standout Songs: "Public Domain," "Constantly Nowhere," "Unravel," "The Wait"

First Impressions: I first became aware of Poppy when Crystal Methyd played her on Snatch Game on season 12 of “RuPaul’s Drag Race.” I had listened to a couple of songs but this is the first full album that I listened to beginning to end. She has a really distinct, dynamic voice. It is really chameleonic. She can sound really pretty and sweet and then be screaming, sometimes in the same way. It reminds me a little bit of Vessel, the lead singer of Sleep Token. I will say that I prefer the singing to the screaming, but that is me. And I think that is at the heart of this record. I wouldn’t say I disliked it, but I probably won’t listen to it again. It’s not for me, but I know a few people who it is for. If you are a fan of nu-metal, I’d for sure check this out.

Would I Purchase This Album: No

MIKA - "Hyperlove"

Have I Listened to This Artist Before: Yes

Standout Songs: "Excuses for Love," "Dreams," "Nicotine," "Bells"

First Impressions: I remember MIKA from 2007 and 2009, songs like “Grace Kelly”and his “Popular Song” duet with future Glinda, Ariana Grande. I loved seeing queer male artists thrive. I sort of fell off his stuff as I got older. “Hyperlove” is his first English

language album since 2019. It very much feels like a more adult version of the music he was making back in the early aughts. There is still that sort of sense of whimsy and fun that his early stuff had. The album is peppered with radio DJ style interludes (thanks, the Weeknd). I think we could stand to have more just queer pop. Pop music that is unabashedly queer and happy. We are living in scary times and spending 40 minutes with this album will hopefully make you feel a little lighter.

Would I Purchase This Album: Potentially

Ari Lennox - "Vacancy"

Have I Listened to This Artist Before: No

Standout Songs: "Vacancy," "Twin Flame," "Soft Girl Era," "Horoscope"

First Impressions: This is another artist that I am surprised I’ve never came across. This is classic soul and R&B, but with a modern twist. The opening song mentions ChatGPT, but it doesn’t feel forced or corny. This is a record that really luxuriates which lends to its old school feel. If you follow this blog, you’re going to hear about this a lot, but I love that this album is almost an hour long. It’s perfect. It doesn’t feel overly long, just perfect. Lennox’s voice is as smooth as butter. I love that she doesn’t overuse a

vocal run. When they happen, it feels natural. And I think “Horoscope” could be a huge hit. It’s clever. It’s like a better version of “Signs” from Beyoncé’s debut.

Would I Purchase This Album: Potentially

Agnes - "BEAUTIFUL MADNESS"

Have I Listened to This Artist Before: Yes

Standout Songs: All of them

First Impressions: You may remember Agnes from her hit song, "Release Me." But she's been releasing great songs and albums steadily since then. Her last album, "Magic Still Exists," is phenomenal and I am sad that I can't buy it. Stream it after you listen to this record. "BEAUTIFUL MADNESS" is perfection. It's house music in the vein of "Show Me Love" by Robyn S. If you love that type of early to mid-'90's house music, then this is for you. It's very much that vibe but modernized. Every song is an absolute banger. I have to say I do wish they were longer, but that's really my only complaint. Maybe we will get some longer club remixes throughout the year. I already am planning on playing this album at all my Pride gatherings this year.

Would I Purchase This Album: Bitch, I pre-ordered it as soon as I could.

Another new music Friday in the books. It's been pretty good so far and next week we will be wrapping up January. As always, let me know in the comments what you think, if you listened to any of these. And shoutout any albums I might have missed.