Album of the Week – 03/07/26

We’ve hit mid-summer, so everyone is on holiday. Not the best time to release your new album, according to those music executives, I suspect? The only major release of the week is Madonna with Confessions II. If you’re a fan of Madge, get excited!

Despite the reduced number of releases, fear not, noble reader, as there are still a few nice ones knocking around, like Sienna Spiro (Visitor) and Smirk (Speculative Fiction).

For our album of the week, we’ve gone for Mary in the Junkyard, or as it’s stylised in all lowercase, that should read, mary in the junkyard. They’re a 3-piece from London who originally met at classical music summer camps. They’ve come a long way! Their debut album is released today with the wonderful name of Role Model Hermit.

Album of the Week – Role Model Hermit – mary in the junkyard

Sept 22, 2026 – Tue 19:30 · The Grand Social

mary in the junkyard’s highly anticipated debut album release. Bursting with creativity and experimentation it is the perfect reflection of the band and one of the most enticing British debut albums in recent memory: a blend of dark fables, intricate melodies and moments of revelation. An original work that is a world in itself and an expression of true creativity. Produced by Oli Bayston (Everything is Recorded, Olivia Dean), Ben Baptie (The Strokes, Young Fathers, Little Simz). The artwork takes us into the journey of Clari in a past life as a sailor, welcoming us into the lore of the album.

Albums of Note: 

— Smirk – Speculative Fiction

— Sienna Spiro – Visitor

Albums released on July 3rd:

— Charley Crockett – Clovis

— Deep Purple – Splat!

— Grateful Dead – Fillmore Auditorium, San Francisco, CA (7/3/66)

— Ken Carson – xperiment

— Low Cut Connie – Livin in the USA

— Madonna – Confessions II

— mary in the junkyard – Role Model Hermit

— Missio – Love & Heartbreak

— Moonspell – Far From God

— Motörhead – Kiss of Death (20th Anniversary)

— Play Time – Magic Object

— Sienna Spiro – Visitor

— Smirk – Speculative Fiction