I like listening to music, and I like writing about music. It just so happens that I get sent LOTS of music by publicists and bands in hopes of getting a review. I also enjoy reading reviews written by people I respect and admire. So, I usually have a deep backlog of albums that deserve my attention. With this monthly series, I’ll tell you about the artists that jumped out of my headphones and grabbed my attention.

Welcome to January 2026! I used to write a similar monthly column over at Bearded Gentlemen Music called “Indie Inspection,” but, after two years, I lost the drive and motivation. Part of me thinks I tried too hard. Part of me thinks I didn’t try hard enough. And another part thinks the whole endeavor wasn’t a good idea. But here I am with a different twist on the same concept. This time, I want to keep things a bit more freeform with less emphasis on critique and more on discovery with some inspiration thrown in for good measure.

Ulver – Neverland

I’d only heard of this Norwegian band tangentially over the years by chatting with friends who have even deeper and wider musical tastes than I do. So, when I read a review of the group’s 2025 album over at Treble Zine, I was immediately intrigued. What I heard on that 11-song album utterly transfixed me: ambient textures, post-rock grooves, big emotional expression, and more.

After spending a day-plus with Neverland, I asked some of the writers at Treble what they might recommend for additional listening. One of them quickly replied with three albums that best represent the band’s development. Another encouraged me to listen to Ulver’s discography in reverse – newest to oldest – stating, “You will hear a band grow bored with choruses and singing until they turn into roving pagans.” And he was right! As I moved backwards into the group’s history, the music devolved from minor-key instrumental math rock into orchstral metal and into ripping black metal. With over 30 years of music under their collective belts, fans of outsider hard rock should be able find something they love in Ulver’s catalog.

Ailbhe Reddy – Kiss Big

I only write two or three reviews a month between two different outlets, so I have to be extra-choosy. As I talked about in “Writing About Writing About Music,” I want to write about music I like, stuff that speaks to me, art that provides a bit of a hook besides, “I like this, and you should listen to it.” To be fair, there’s nothing wrong with that approach, but I try to provide a bit more context and depth.

So, when I considered Kiss Big, the newest album from Ailbhe Reddy, for a review, I really wanted to make it work. The Irish singer-songwriter has a dreamy high alto that flits between breathy and rich with ease. Her songs combine the aesthetics Beach House, Donna Lewis, and Basia Bulat, complete with excellent variations in tempo, timbre, and dynamics. It’s glorious alt-pop with folk subtleties and earnest vocals. So why didn’t I write a full-length review? I guess the problem is me. Reddy delivered the goods, but I couldn’t figure out a way to stretch what I liked into 500 words.

Silver Liz – III

The other finalist for my “review of the month” over at Bearded Gentlemen Music, Silver Liz is a husband-and-wife duo who make impeccable ‘90s dance-pop. Her clear soprano rings out from thick banks of synth pulses and big-beat drum programming, practically begging people to get onto the dancefloor. The group’s new album, III, sounds like Leigh Nash of Sixpence None the Richer singing for Savage Garden. The best part? I like the sexier, floatier songs more than the upbeat zingers. And I think you will, too.

Other Stuff I Enjoyed Listening to This Month

• Julianna Barwick & Mary Lattimore – Tragic Magic
• Mary Lattimore’s back catalog
• Julianna Barwick’s back catalog
• Dry Cleaning – Secret Love
• The entire Wilco catalog
• The entire Radiohead catalog