New Albums January 16, 2026

 New Music Releases 1/16/2026

It's another new music Friday in 2026. I thought this was only going to be a two album week, but then Robbie Williams went ahead and surprised released the standard edition of his new album. Thanks Robbie! Let's get to it.

Alice Merton - "Visions"

Have I Listened to This Artist Before: No

Standout Songs: "Ignorance is Bliss," "Cruel Intentions," "On the Wire," "Willow Trees in Tokyo"

First Impressions: This is another artist that I had never heard of but discovered when I was researching what new albums were coming out this week. You know that I love music by women and this cover seemed really cool, so I figured I'd give it a shot. Alice Merton is a German-Canadian singer/songwriter who is based in Britain. "Visions" is her third full length album. 

This album starts strong right out of the gate. Really melodic, guitar-driven pop. I like that she switches things up. The second song has a harder edge (for this type of artist). It's rockier, really electric guitar forward. For a lot of these songs, she's channeling the '90's alternative rock girlies like Alanis, Fiona, Liz (though she doesn't necessarily go as hard as those divas). This is right up my alley. It's the type of music I listened to in high school and I'm still really drawn to it. She even has a song that has a country/folk feel. That's called being well-rounded. If I had one complaint about this record, it's that I wish she had like a big sweeping ballad. She has a great voice and I'm sure it would really shine in something like that.

Would I Purchase This Album: Potentially

Madison Beer - "locket"

Have I Listened to This Artist Before: Lol. No.

Standout Songs: "yes, baby," "you're still everything," "bittersweet," "complexity"

First Impressions: I should start off by saying that I have an irrational dislike of Madison Beer. I am not sure why but I think it's because she's guest judged "RuPaul's Drag Race" a couple of times and she just rubbed me the wrong way. But, I have a friend who enjoys a couple of her songs, so I thought I would listen to this record with an open mind. Really give it a fair shake. And you know? I think I did. I listened to it twice. And I didn't completely hate it. 

I think that this album is fine. On the surface, it is pristine pop. It's really well produced and the songs are very by the book. It's exactly what you would expect an artist like Madison Beer to put out in 2026. But the things that make it listenable are also the things that are strikes against it. After listening to this album twice, I still don't know who Madison Beer is and I'm not sure she does either. Is she Ariana Grande? Is she Billie Eilish. It seems she maybe wants to be since some of the best songs sound like songs that weren't strong enough to make it on "eternal sunshine" and "HIT ME HARD AND SOFT," respectively. There's no real individuality here and while I may go back and listen to a couple of songs again, why would I listen to this album when the albums she's mimicking are far better?

Will I Purchase This Album: No

Robbie Williams - "BRITPOP"

Have I Listened to This Artist Before: Yes

Standout Songs: "Spies," "Cocky," "Morrissey," "It's OK Until the Drugs Stop Working"

First Impressions: After riding the critical high of the well received, but little seen, "Better Man," Robbie Williams returns with his first album of all original material since "The Heavy Entertainment Show" in 2016. I am a big Robbie Williams fan. He started out as part of the boy band Take That. Then he went solo and had some minor success in the US in the late '90's. I think a lot of gay guys enjoy him because he wasn't shy about getting naked and showing off his hairy bod. If you've never seen the video for "Rock DJ," you should watch it immediately. His last couple of albums were kind of ho hum so I wasn't sure what to expect when I listened to his one.

I was pleasantly surprised. It's extremely fitting that this record is called "BRITPOP" because, from beginning to end, it is a celebration of britpop, which is some of the best pop out there. Each track pays homage to the sounds that have come out of the UK. There are punk songs. There are Oasis style songs. There's even a love song dedicated to Morrissey. Williams has been a purveyor of britpop since he burst onto the scene so he slips into these various genres as easily as you would your favorite jacket. A great album that I already know I am going to listen to a lot in the coming months.

Will I Purchase This Album: I bought the deluxe edition today.

So there we have it. Week two in the books. As always, I'd love to hear if you listened to these albums and what you thought. If you listened to any others that I didn't and want to recommend those, let me know in the comments.