“True Blue” - Blanket
Released January 16, 2026 through Adventure Cat.File under: shoegaze/wall of sound
I had never heard of Blanket until I heard this new release album, and I kinda feel like I’m catching up hearing them now. For the English quartet, True Blue is their 4th studio album, the follow-up from the much lauded Ceremonia (which I’ll admit, I hadn’t heard until AFTER I heard this album), and what a follow-up it is!
The 8 track album is over in just 30 minutes, but in that time I feel like I get a lot of great music; from the short and sweet instrumental intro track The Swallows Reflecting in the Water which sets up the mood for the rest of the album, to the epic wall of sound title track True Blue, every track has a large wall-of-sound presence, accompanied by the swirling and squealing of lead guitars and breathy vocals.
I love shoegaze music, the bigger the better, and True Blue scratches that itch perfectly. It reminds me variously at times of bands like Ride, My Bloody Valentine, Just Mustard and BDRMM, but simultaneously doesn’t sound like any of them either.
Check out the video to Track 4 Bind (featuring Wayside and Thomas Devenport) below:
Available on Adventure Cat Records.
Listen to “True Blue” on:Apple Music }|{ Spotify }|{ Tidal
“Jana Horn” - Jana Horn
Released January 16, 2026 through No Quarter.File under: alt folk
Jana Horn’s third album (after Optimism in 2020 and The Window Is The Dream in 2023) is a very personal and intimate album, and seems rightly so to be self titled; it feels like I am getting to know her personally while listening to this album.
The Austin, Texas artist gently and deliberately introduces us to her life in phrases and lyrics that explore feelings and landscapes of the mind. It’s a quiet album, but one that leaves the listener with a sense of melancholy. Horn’s soft and gently crackling voice accompanies the sparseness of the music perfectly; voice (and packing vocals), piano, bass, guitar, flute and drums each quietly occupying spaces within the songs.
Of the album, the album’s label No Quarter says:“The 3rd album from Jana Horn was written in New York and recorded in the Texas desert. Horn went to Sonic Ranch studio with her trio (Jade Guterman - bass / Adam Jones - drums) to record her self-titled record, comprised of 10 sonic landscapes which don't quite sound like they're from anywhere.”
For listeners who like Cat Power, Florist, Loma, Sour Widows, Angel Olsen and Bonnie Prince Billy.
Listen to “Jana Horn” on:Apple Music }|{ Spotify }|{ Tidal