Discussing new music this week - Week 6 2026

In attempt to further practice some insightful and creative writing, I'd like to shortly discuss some new music that I've been obsessed with this week.

1.) Spill Tab - Suckerrr

I actually discovered this track sometime last week on my Spotify Discover Weekly. The reason why its my first mention is because I cant stop listening to this song! It's been on repeat pretty much every day this past week. It's a beautifully composed track with a mellow lo-fi vibe. The usage of harmonies between the lead singer and background vocals really highlight the track as a whole. I'm not sure if it is harmonies or reverb that I'm hearing when she draws out that chorus but the execution of it all is unlike anything I've heard. I'll admit that the lyrics themselves were not what caught my attention but the melodies and atmosphere of the song really make me want to sink into evening grass and sun.

2.) Joyce Manor - I Use to Go to this Bar

I haven't been a long time listener of Joyce Manor but something about their new album brings me back to an early time of nostalgia of around 2000 - 2010s. I heard in an interview somewhere that part of their draw is playing with nostalgic sounds. If anything, it's quite simple to say that a lot of the new music that I gravitate towards are basically sounds and melodies that remind me the more formative years of my life. There's a huge pop-punk influence that can be heard throughout their fairly short 19 minute album. There's also a little bit of country-sounding nuances as far as I can tell. The album is short and sweet but what brings me back to listening to it over and over again is that it's a fun album.

3.) J. Cole - The Fall Off

Before I release my pent up energy and enthusiasm, I just want to remark that I can't help but to feel that this album is probably J. Cole's magnum opus.

Oh my fucking god, this album by far is probably the most entertaining, most diverse, sonically all-encompassing epitome of the talent that J.Cole has to contribute into the world of hip hop.

Not to be cliche but I really feel like this album really cements J.Cole as one of the top hip hop artists of the modern era. From my perspective, this drop comes at time where rap and hip hop have been taking a backslide in quality and content. For a long time now, a lot of the hip hop industry has been marred by the same kind of content that's been overly capitalized or overplayed - money, wealth, bitches, gang shit, aggression, violence, etc. I honestly haven't paid too much attention to new artists but instead, sticking to legacy artists that I've been listening to for the past 20 years. J.Cole is simply boundless, he's an amazing story teller, a conscious soul, a talented producer, has a grassroots one of a kind sound and voice. This album is screamingly nearly 2 hours long but every track brings a different variety of emotion and feelings. Imagine being out on a boat, one track you're on calm steady waters, the next track there's a storm. Despite the push and pull throughout the album, it still maintains a sort of cohesion and grabs your attention and holds all the way through. I didn't feel bored in any way throughout the whole process. It would be a crime to not mention some of the 'easter eggs' found; there's Future on a track - taking lyrics from Usher's Nice and Slow. On the track Bombs in the Ville/Hit the Gas – there's a sample of Ludacris's What's Your Fantasy. Petey Pablo, a name the hip hop world hasn't heard since the early 2000's - is on the track Old Dog with the chorus having his notable grit and voice I haven't forgotten from my younger years. On the track I Love Her Again - there's a Pharcyde sample and an amazing story telling about his pursuit of chasing a crush in his youth. I thought there was an Immortal Technique sample in track WHO TF IZ U, but after doing some research its more of a Marshall Mathers LP type beat - In the same track there's a beat switch that feels like a pumpin 80's track. There's countless hidden details that you would totally catch if you've been an avid music listener for the past 30 years and J.Cole really shows some of his knowledge and appreciation through the smallest details. This album is guaranteed to be a classic and I can't stop thinking about it and I'm dying to talk to more hiphopheads about this release. I went as far as purchasing pre-ordering the vinyl.

4.) A$AP Rocky - Don't Be Dumb

I've been a longtime A$AP Rocky fan. I'd go as far as saying he's probably my most favorite rapper across multiple matrices of life. He emerged as an artist in my college years; his imagery, the atmosphere and world he creates, the A$AP Mob, the swag, the way he carried himself, the appreciation for fashion - the man has been a major influence in my own artistic appreciation. Don't Be Dumb may not be my favorite release of his but it definitely had some highlights and some throwbacks to earlier times. Some standout tracks include Helicopter, Punk Rocky, and Fish N Steak. I still long for the A$AP Rocky from the Live Long A$AP era, with the Bone Thugs N Harmony influence that can be heard throughout his flow of earlier years. I love how he features Tyler the Creator's in Fish N Steak; you can hear both artistic styles of the two combined into one track. Punk Rocky had that Tame Impala type influence that we heard back in his 2018 track Sundress. It's too easy to catch my attention with nostalgia

I know there's a lot more to discuss, I also didn't get around to reflecting on my week but I wanted to share some thoughts of music this week.

I'm happy that I got around to writing but I need to forgive myself on not taking this time to reflect on my week this time around.