New Albums February 27, 2026

 New Releases 2/27/2026

Did you all know that new albums come out every Friday? I kid. It just makes it a little difficult to keep up. But I am determined. Here are my takes on some of the last week in February's new releases... a little late.

Gorillaz – “The Mountain"

Have I Listened to This Artist Before: Yes

Standout Tracks: “The Moon Cave,” “The Hardest Thing/Orange County,” “The Manifesto,” “Delirium,” “Damascus,” “The Sweet Prince”

First Impressions: Damon Albarn and Jamie Hewlett both experienced the loss of close family members between the release of their last album as the animated band, Gorillaz, 2023’s “Cracker Island,” and the recording of this record, the band’s ninth. “The

Mountain” takes a look at death and what comes after through the lens of these animated characters. What follows is a serene, thrilling, sometimes sad rumination on these themes. The album was recorded in India and that influence is all over this album

and it really freshens up the band’s sound. They incorporate traditional Indian instrumentation and beats pretty seamlessly into the songs and it never doesn’t feel like Gorillaz at its core. The band incorporates new vocals from past collaborators that have since passed on which reinforces the themes of death and rebirth. I think this record could potentially be divisive for longtime fans, but for me, it feels like a natural

progression. A successful experiment, which describes the band itself to a tee.

Would I Purchase This Album: Yes

Mitski – “Nothing’s About to Happen to Me”

Have I Listened to This Artist Before: Yes

Standout Tracks: “Where’s My Phone?,” “Cats,” “If I Leave,” “Instead of Here,” “Rules,” “That White Cat,” “Charon’s Obol” “Lightning”

First Impressions: I love Mitski. You probably gathered that since I marked 8 of the 11 tracks on this record as standouts and honestly, the ones I left off could make it on. This is a masterful follow up to her 2023 record, “The Land Is Inhospitable and So Are We.” This has all the hallmarks of a Mitski record. Phenomenal musicianship. Pristine production from her longtime producer, Patrick Hyland. Deep lyrics filled with clever metaphors. There are songs all about depression, disassociation, lost love but all couched in lovely lyricism and swelling arrangements. It’s never a slog. Never boring. It’s a record that begs to be listened to over and over again. To be analyzed. To pull deeper meanings from it with each repeated listen. So, a classic Mitski record.

Would I Purchase This Album: It's already done

Bruno Mars - "The Romantic"

Have I Listed to This Artist Before: Yes

Standout Tracks: "Cha Cha Cha," "I Just Might," "On My Soul," "Something Serious"

First Impressions: It's been almost ten years since Bruno Mars released a solo record and I was really excited for this one. The first single, "I Just Might," is classic Bruno. I have to say that after spending some time this record, I am a tad disappointed. I like this record. It's a competent Latin/soul record, but I just wanted more. Bruno's other records have been more fun. More eclectic. I wanted to groove and dance a little more. Again, I'm not at all saying that this is a bad record. Bruno's voice is as smooth as ever. The production is phenomenal. The instrumentation on the record is impeccable. But lyrically, it is kind of uninspired. It relies a lot on cliche and Bruno's charisma. It's kind of mid and honestly, that is really a bummer.

Would I Purchase This Album: I did

So, there you have it. Another strong week for releases with some middling returns. As always, I'd love to hear what you've been listening to and if there are any albums I miss that you think I should hear, let me know in the comments.