We're getting more deliberate about music curation and discovery this year. Plus, a few highly anticipated new releases to look forward to, courtesy of No Ripcord.
I am going to take a stab at this question: How do I make room for new music without abandoning the music I already love? Here’s my perspective. As an educator who is very involved in his school community, time doesn’t come around in abundance. I have to take advantage of every moment I get. That means sacrificing on many levels. I recently read a newsletter by Mark Manson, the author of a great book called “The Subtle Art of Not Giving A Fuck.” Highly recommended. In it, he wrote about the ability to say NO and how essential it is to our mental health. I have had to learn to do that but I’m not quite where I want to be. That creates issues in and of itself. C’e la vie. Still, I find time wherever possible because on top of being an educator, I am also a husband, father, grandfather, son, brother, uncle, radio show host, writer, non-profit startup founder, activist, etc., etc., etc.. My plate doesn’t have much room. Oh yeah, I also need to take care of my body with workouts and my mental health with therapy sessions. Can’t forget those important things.
So, bottom line, for me, is that I make time wherever and whenever possible, That means car rides, sitting in coffee shops on weekends listening to something between either lesson planning or grading, escaping the children’s program my granddaughter watches to listen in my man cave, headsets on while grocery shopping, or anywhere else I can “sneak” in a few minutes to check emails or read up on the latest releases from Gabbie and David or other great newsletters. My life is full, but time can always be made. I just make sure I get “me” time to balance it all out.
Seeing a RIYL Pale Saints has me running to Bandcamp. No one EVER mentions Pale Saints! "Language of Flowers" remains one of my all-time songs. Excited for this rabbit hole.
I got a plan to get a better listening station this year. Going to get a decent chair and a little desk for my record player and may get a cd and cassette player this year. And a nice pair of headphones.
Last year I listened to more new music than ever, close to 500 albums in their entirety, most at least 2-3 times. And while I discovered some great new music, enough to fill a top 100 list (although I stuck to a top 50), I felt kinda worn out by the end of the year.
I’ve been on a “no new music cleanse” for the last couple weeks, enjoying some of my old favorites from my media server and staying away from the streaming sites. It’s been refreshing. And very enjoyable.
I, too, have been thinking about intentionality as I move into 2026 in a lot of areas in my life - my Substack writing, my new music listening and my physical fitness.
I’ve now got a publication schedule plan for 2026 which should help me have and maintain better focus on and enjoy my writing on Substack. On the new music appreciation side, I’m a little less clear. I just know I want it to be different this year. And I also want to leave space for enjoying older favorites and discovering older but new-to-me music (I’ve just launched a daily Notes series year will help with this).
I think I’ll be able to figure it out as I go, as long as I try to be present and remind myself not to enjoy me music in moderation. Where 2025 felt like drinking from a fire hose, I’m hoping 2026 will feel more like pulling a drink out of the cooler when I’m thirsty and savoring it.
That new release calendar is a fantastic resource and I’ve added it to the Home Screen of my phone so it’s there when I need it.
I think that No Ripcord upcoming album releases page might just save my life! Thanks for this post. I get the vibe we're thinking about how we listen to music this year in similar ways (more from me on that in your inbox soon).
We always had our own secret one to plan coverage and we thought “why not tidy it up, expand it, and make it public?” I should credit Gabbie for suggesting a few tweaks.
Intention is to be multi-genre in approach and include lots of hip hop, as this is often underrepresented in schedules.
I noticed the diversity of genres and the range of mainstream to lesser-known artists, and I love that! Very cool to see like, Charlie freakin Puth on the same list as Mandy, Indiana (have you heard the album yet? I wonder if their PR folks send No Ripcord advances, I have an advance and the album is incredible). Excited to see more hip-hop on the list too!
We get a good number of advances but I haven’t heard Mandy, Indiana’s yet. I’m excited for it. Their last record really stayed with me and I think they’re doing something pretty unique. They really sound like post industrial Northern England.
Great insights. This is why I was shocked to see “top 250 albums of 2025” lists like whaat. To have 250 you must’ve listened to like 1000 albums. I could never (.. and it’s my job to listen to nee albums)
Makes me wonder how intention each of those listens were as opposed to just making sure we get through EVERYTHING.
that or they are sharing almost everything they listened to. i listened to over 500 to get down to 58 and I still think that is too high of a percentage to share! i think being selective is completely okay
I listened to a few less, but I also want to dwell on things I really enjoy without feeling guilty. A few select albums totally derailed my new music consumption (Sharp Pins’ Radio DDR, Clipse, Anna Von Hausswolff) and that’s great. And also sometimes I want to listen to older stuff too.
I no longer have the energy to go chasing after every new trend or 'album that you absolutely must listen to in order to be a complete human being'. I used to but it's exhausting. When the dust settles, most of these records are average.
Podcasts have become my go-to background listening, which has elevated music back to its previously held status as something that I engage with for pleasure. I keep it easy and listen to what I want, which is probably 80% stuff that I am already familiar with. This morning I played a couple of Laurie Styvers songs on the iPod that I keep plugged into my hi-fi and then a CD copy of Delicatessen's final album 'There's No Confusing Some People', which is like the journal of a psychopath. Yesterday I heard, for the first time, Artifact by Parov Stelar, which I believe came out last year. I don't recall how I became aware of it. I liked the album cover. It's very Metropolis movie poster. I probably saw it posted somewhere online. I find the neo-classical soul, and the hand-waving at a concept, somewhat laboured.
Talking/thinking about music has reframed my opinions on certain artists. I've realised recently that St Etienne - a band who always gave the impression that they were reaching out to their fans,actually played things pretty close to their chest throughout their career and occasionally bordered on solipsistic.
Must listens are generally forthcoming records by artists who I am already familiar with. I am enjoying the tension on The Lana Del Rey forums (she is on the Parov Stelar album, which came as a surprise) now that the proposed January release window for her new album has arrived and will probably pass with the release of a new single if they are lucky.
this article initially included a discussion about how interacting with/perceiving music changes it and changes our relationship to it, but I decided to save that for another day. i think it's an important discussion though
I spent a bit of time cleaning out my Substack inbox over the holidays - just archiving anything that I haven’t gotten around to reading, and I immediately felt better - even though I wasn’t aware of my Substack housekeeping causing me any stress! So I fully endorse this approach to music in 2026. I like this digestible little package of suggestions too. Definitely in a headspace to start checking things out but it’s much easier in manageable chunks!
I’m all for this. I have been writing a bit about this in my best-of issue (which has been a struggle to finish because of my health). But the gist is that circumstances beyond my control forced me to listen to music more intentionally last year, and it made it one of the most meaningful years of listening.
I just wanted to put on your radar a potential Philly Meet Up spot. Love City Brewing in callowhill area has DJ Quizzo the first wednesday of the month and it's hosted by a pal of mine who I used to call the PHdj because of his insane amount of music knowledge. it might be a fun activity for the philly NBOH set.
I am going to take a stab at this question: How do I make room for new music without abandoning the music I already love? Here’s my perspective. As an educator who is very involved in his school community, time doesn’t come around in abundance. I have to take advantage of every moment I get. That means sacrificing on many levels. I recently read a newsletter by Mark Manson, the author of a great book called “The Subtle Art of Not Giving A Fuck.” Highly recommended. In it, he wrote about the ability to say NO and how essential it is to our mental health. I have had to learn to do that but I’m not quite where I want to be. That creates issues in and of itself. C’e la vie. Still, I find time wherever possible because on top of being an educator, I am also a husband, father, grandfather, son, brother, uncle, radio show host, writer, non-profit startup founder, activist, etc., etc., etc.. My plate doesn’t have much room. Oh yeah, I also need to take care of my body with workouts and my mental health with therapy sessions. Can’t forget those important things.
So, bottom line, for me, is that I make time wherever and whenever possible, That means car rides, sitting in coffee shops on weekends listening to something between either lesson planning or grading, escaping the children’s program my granddaughter watches to listen in my man cave, headsets on while grocery shopping, or anywhere else I can “sneak” in a few minutes to check emails or read up on the latest releases from Gabbie and David or other great newsletters. My life is full, but time can always be made. I just make sure I get “me” time to balance it all out.
Hope that helps. Or even answers the question.
this is a perfect answer.
Seeing a RIYL Pale Saints has me running to Bandcamp. No one EVER mentions Pale Saints! "Language of Flowers" remains one of my all-time songs. Excited for this rabbit hole.
“Throwing Back the Apple” is one of mine! If I’m making a shoegaze or 90s playlist, there’s a 100% guarantee that’s going on there!
I got a plan to get a better listening station this year. Going to get a decent chair and a little desk for my record player and may get a cd and cassette player this year. And a nice pair of headphones.
great idea!
Last year I listened to more new music than ever, close to 500 albums in their entirety, most at least 2-3 times. And while I discovered some great new music, enough to fill a top 100 list (although I stuck to a top 50), I felt kinda worn out by the end of the year.
I’ve been on a “no new music cleanse” for the last couple weeks, enjoying some of my old favorites from my media server and staying away from the streaming sites. It’s been refreshing. And very enjoyable.
I, too, have been thinking about intentionality as I move into 2026 in a lot of areas in my life - my Substack writing, my new music listening and my physical fitness.
I’ve now got a publication schedule plan for 2026 which should help me have and maintain better focus on and enjoy my writing on Substack. On the new music appreciation side, I’m a little less clear. I just know I want it to be different this year. And I also want to leave space for enjoying older favorites and discovering older but new-to-me music (I’ve just launched a daily Notes series year will help with this).
I think I’ll be able to figure it out as I go, as long as I try to be present and remind myself not to enjoy me music in moderation. Where 2025 felt like drinking from a fire hose, I’m hoping 2026 will feel more like pulling a drink out of the cooler when I’m thirsty and savoring it.
That new release calendar is a fantastic resource and I’ve added it to the Home Screen of my phone so it’s there when I need it.
you and i are very much on the same page with this.
I think that No Ripcord upcoming album releases page might just save my life! Thanks for this post. I get the vibe we're thinking about how we listen to music this year in similar ways (more from me on that in your inbox soon).
Thanks! Please do spread the word!
We always had our own secret one to plan coverage and we thought “why not tidy it up, expand it, and make it public?” I should credit Gabbie for suggesting a few tweaks.
Intention is to be multi-genre in approach and include lots of hip hop, as this is often underrepresented in schedules.
I noticed the diversity of genres and the range of mainstream to lesser-known artists, and I love that! Very cool to see like, Charlie freakin Puth on the same list as Mandy, Indiana (have you heard the album yet? I wonder if their PR folks send No Ripcord advances, I have an advance and the album is incredible). Excited to see more hip-hop on the list too!
We get a good number of advances but I haven’t heard Mandy, Indiana’s yet. I’m excited for it. Their last record really stayed with me and I think they’re doing something pretty unique. They really sound like post industrial Northern England.
god I loved their last one
very same! to both of you!
yay so happy about this
Great insights. This is why I was shocked to see “top 250 albums of 2025” lists like whaat. To have 250 you must’ve listened to like 1000 albums. I could never (.. and it’s my job to listen to nee albums)
Makes me wonder how intention each of those listens were as opposed to just making sure we get through EVERYTHING.
that or they are sharing almost everything they listened to. i listened to over 500 to get down to 58 and I still think that is too high of a percentage to share! i think being selective is completely okay
I listened to a few less, but I also want to dwell on things I really enjoy without feeling guilty. A few select albums totally derailed my new music consumption (Sharp Pins’ Radio DDR, Clipse, Anna Von Hausswolff) and that’s great. And also sometimes I want to listen to older stuff too.
I no longer have the energy to go chasing after every new trend or 'album that you absolutely must listen to in order to be a complete human being'. I used to but it's exhausting. When the dust settles, most of these records are average.
Podcasts have become my go-to background listening, which has elevated music back to its previously held status as something that I engage with for pleasure. I keep it easy and listen to what I want, which is probably 80% stuff that I am already familiar with. This morning I played a couple of Laurie Styvers songs on the iPod that I keep plugged into my hi-fi and then a CD copy of Delicatessen's final album 'There's No Confusing Some People', which is like the journal of a psychopath. Yesterday I heard, for the first time, Artifact by Parov Stelar, which I believe came out last year. I don't recall how I became aware of it. I liked the album cover. It's very Metropolis movie poster. I probably saw it posted somewhere online. I find the neo-classical soul, and the hand-waving at a concept, somewhat laboured.
Talking/thinking about music has reframed my opinions on certain artists. I've realised recently that St Etienne - a band who always gave the impression that they were reaching out to their fans,actually played things pretty close to their chest throughout their career and occasionally bordered on solipsistic.
Must listens are generally forthcoming records by artists who I am already familiar with. I am enjoying the tension on The Lana Del Rey forums (she is on the Parov Stelar album, which came as a surprise) now that the proposed January release window for her new album has arrived and will probably pass with the release of a new single if they are lucky.
this article initially included a discussion about how interacting with/perceiving music changes it and changes our relationship to it, but I decided to save that for another day. i think it's an important discussion though
I spent a bit of time cleaning out my Substack inbox over the holidays - just archiving anything that I haven’t gotten around to reading, and I immediately felt better - even though I wasn’t aware of my Substack housekeeping causing me any stress! So I fully endorse this approach to music in 2026. I like this digestible little package of suggestions too. Definitely in a headspace to start checking things out but it’s much easier in manageable chunks!
yes! reduce clutter, reduce overwhelm, manage expectations, all that good stuff
I’m all for this. I have been writing a bit about this in my best-of issue (which has been a struggle to finish because of my health). But the gist is that circumstances beyond my control forced me to listen to music more intentionally last year, and it made it one of the most meaningful years of listening.
that's really interesting and such an optimistic approach to an otherwise cruddy situation
Music was my source of optimism, in many ways.
I just wanted to put on your radar a potential Philly Meet Up spot. Love City Brewing in callowhill area has DJ Quizzo the first wednesday of the month and it's hosted by a pal of mine who I used to call the PHdj because of his insane amount of music knowledge. it might be a fun activity for the philly NBOH set.
this is a great idea.
I love Bagel Radio.
Gabbie is this band on any of your lists…discovered this tonight…I feel like it was. Sword II from Atlanta
https://open.spotify.com/track/5SFwml6SjVbEvDWm0gh2me?si=AIDBKzd8QwKt3JpZGRstgA
no! thank you for the rec