New Albums February 20, 2026

 New Releases 2/20/2026

Welp. I totally forgot to post this earlier so I'm doing it right before the next new music Friday. Oh well. Let's just get right into it.

Mumford & Sons - "Prizefighter"

Have I Listened to This Artist Before: Yes

Standout Tracks: “Rubber Band Man,” “Alleycat,” “Icarus,” “Badlands”

First Impressions: I’m going to be completely honest. I’ve always kind of hated Mumford & Sons. I can recognize they are talented musicians but I’ve never really vibed with their music. In this spirit of this project, I decided to listen to this album and

tried to keep an open mind. I really did. But maybe I failed because I really didn’t enjoy this. It was maybe the longest fifty minutes of my life. I will give some positives. The productions is great. They worked with The National’s Aaron Dessner, who is kind of feeling like the new Jack Antonoff producer-wise and his work is immaculate. The songs I picked out as standouts are the ones I didn’t totally despise and there are some lovely features from Hozier and Gracie Abrams. But overall, it all sounded the same to me.

Pretentious, hipster folk music. Message songs with no message. They all sounded the same and I don’t know if these were the songs or Apple Music, but some of them just ended really abruptly. I know so many people love this band and if you do you’ll love this record. It’s just not for me.

Would I Purchase This Album: No

Megan Moroney - "Cloud 9"

Have I Listened to This Artist Before: No

Standout Tracks: “Cloud 9,” “Medicine,” “Convincing,” “Change of Heart,” “Bells & Whistles”

First Impressions: I had never heard of this young woman before but when the first line of the first song of an album laments accepting a Pepsi when you really want a Coke I know that it’s for me. I don’t listen to a ton of country music, but this is right up

my alley. This very much gives kind of a mix between Carrie Underwood and early Kacey Musgraves, like her first two albums, which is fitting because Kacey duets with her on “Bells & Whistles.” Honestly, if you were a Carrie fan and are sad that she finally

admitted she’s a Trumper, I think Megan might be for you. This is the country music I gravitate toward. A woman getting even on her cheating boyfriend. Accepting that she’s maybe too much, but in the best way. It is glossy, fun and extremely pink. And I will probably go back and listen to her other albums.

Would I Purchase This Album: Yes

Hilary Duff - "luck... or something"

Have I Listened to This Artist Before: Yes

Standout Tracks: “Roommates,” “Future Tripping,” “You, From the Honeymoon,” “Mature,” “Tell Me That Won’t Happen”

First Impressions: It feels like Hilary Duff has had a wild couple of years. The erstwhile Lizzie McGuire returns to music with her first album in 11 years. Duff became a meme in the last few years with her semi lethargic choreography to her hit song "With Love" become a Tik Tok trend and viral sensation. This renewed interest in her music I think pushed her to make this record. It may have been to her detriment because the songs on "luck... or something" are not the dance pop of "Dignity" or her last record "Breathe In. Breathe Out." That's not to say that this record is bad. It's really not. It just skews more towards her first couple records when she was the teen pop rock queen. These are those types of songs but from a much more adult perspective. Her lyrics are giving Alanis a little bit and I'm not made about it. If you expected more dance pop you're going to be disappointed, but if you listen with an open mind you are going to have a good time.

Would You Purchase This Album: I did!

There you have it. Februrary's almost over and it's been a good music month and next week aka tomorrow is really going to be good. As always, let me know if you listened to any of these and what you thought. And if I missed something, let me know.