Album of the Week – 16/01/26

It’s still only the mid-point of January, but it’s hard to argue with the quality of the music released this week, with albums from A$AP Rocky (Don’t Be Dumb) and Barry Adamson (SCALA!!!).

Sleaford Mods seem to get it very easy indeed! They’ve just released another new album called The Demise of Planet X. There’s also Xiu Xiu with Xiu Mutha Fuckin’ Xiu: Vol. 1. The forces of Julianna Barwick and Mary Lattimore have come together for an album called Tragic Magic, which we reviewed here. 

Paul Page has come out of musical retirement with a vengeance! He’s just released an album under the name “Polaroid Ghost” called Belgica 1898. You can read our review here. 

For our album of the week, we’ve gone with the gentle country vibes of Courtney Marie Andrews. You can see her in Whelans on February 21st.

Album of the Week — Courtney Marie Andrews – Valentine

Courtney Marie Andrews’ Valentine is her most fearless and expansive album yet—an exploration of love at its most complex, transformative, and demanding. Written during a period marked by profound loss, emotional upheaval, and the uncertain beginnings of a new relationship, the record captures Andrews at her most vulnerable and self-possessed. “Love is built over years, trust, and change,” she says, and Valentine reflects that hard-won clarity.

Co-produced with Jerry Bernhardt and recorded largely to tape, the album embraces full in-studio performances, drawing influence from Lee Hazlewood, Big Star’s Third, and Tusk-era Fleetwood Mac. The result is a sound that is lush, disciplined, and deeply human—never perfect, always alive.

Albums of Note: 

— A$AP Rocky – Don’t Be Dumb

— Barry Adamson – SCALA!!!

— Courtney Marie Andrews – Valentine

— Julianna Barwick and Mary Lattimore – Tragic Magic

— Sleaford Mods – The Demise of Planet X

— Xiu Xiu – Xiu Mutha Fuckin’ Xiu: Vol. 1

Polaroid Ghost – Belgica 1898

Ya Tseen – Stand On My Shoulders

January 16th:

— A$AP Rocky – Don’t Be Dumb

— Barry Adamson – SCALA!!!

— Cavetown – Running With Scissors

— Courtney Marie Andrews – Valentine

— DaBaby – BE MORE GRATEFUL

— Daniel Blumberg – The Testament of Ann Lee (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)

— DZ Deathrays – Easing Out of Control

— The Funeral Portrait – Live From Suffocate City

— GREYWIND – Severed Heart City

— Gylt – In 1,000 Agonies, I Exist EP

— Hayes Carll – We’re Only Human (Deluxe Edition)

— I Promised The World – I Promised The World EP

— Imarhan – Essam

— The James Hunter Six – Off the Fence

— Jana Horn – Jana Horn

— Julianna Barwick and nMary Lattimore – Tragic Magic

— Kreator – Krushers of the World

— Langhorne Slim – The Dreamin’ Kind

— Lasse Lokøy – The More You Know

— Lexa Gates – I Am

— Madison Beer – Locket

— Marinas Rest – The Bereaved

— Richard Marx – After Hours

— Oxis – Oxis 8

— Peaer – doppelgänger

— Sassy 009 – Dreamer+

— Sleaford Mods – The Demise of Planet X

— SOEN – Reliance

— Together Pangea – Eat Myself

— Xiu Xiu – Xiu Mutha Fuckin’ Xiu: Vol. 1

— Vienna Vienna – Entertain Me EP

— Westside Cowboy – So Much Country ‘Till We Get There EP

— Wormy – Shark River

— Ya Tseen – Stand On My Shoulders