January kicked the year into motion with a wave of strong releases. These are the tracks — big, bold, and unexpected — that rose above the rest, from a new Gorillaz collaboration where multiple features click seamlessly, to a Father John Misty song pulled from the vault, the return of Dorian Electra, and a punishing cut from Converge’s forthcoming record.
01:
Gorillaz – Damascus ft. Omar Souleyman and Yasiin Bey
Decades in, Damon continues to push the creative boundaries with Gorillaz. While admittedly, this feels more like an Omar Souleyman track than it does a Gorillaz track, it’s the creative trio of Damon, Omar, and Yasiin that just meshes together so well to make this one of the best tracks of all three artists. If you’re uninitiated to Omar, he’s a Syrian singer who first began singing at weddings and has come to fame with his modern form of traditional dabke. Take Yasiin Bey’s (formerly Mos Def) signature flow, with Souleyman’s dabke, and Damon’s production… yeah. This is sick.
02:
Viagra Boys – Therapy II
Hailing from the extended edition of one of 2025’s best records, this opening cut from disc two touches on therapy in a comedic way: “Was he drinking, or was he smoking on the PCP? Do they still make that? Yeah, man, they give it out in therapy.” The instrumental evokes DEVO and Talking Heads, while frontman Sebastian Murphy delivers his vocal run with that heavy rasp we love. Killer track continuing a generational run for the Boys.
03:
Father John Misty – The Old Law
Originally known as “God’s Trash” and played live previously as such, “The Old Law” evokes a cross between certain eras of The Beatles and Elliot Smith. Paired with two other singles from 2024’s ultra-solid Mahashmashana, “Josh Tillman and the Accidental Dose” and “I Guess Time Just Makes Fools of Us All”, the new(ish) single is a welcomed holdover for us fans while we sit patiently and wait for a new LP, EP, or just whatever Mr. Tillman wants to offer up.
04:
Dorian Electra – Fake Denim
Our lord has returned. Dorian Electra is back with this new sleazy track, evoking the best of Dorian and collaborator Boys Noize production and mixing it with The Strokes, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, and other indie acts. This cut was originally teased all the back on the Fanfare tour cycle in 2024, so we’re happy it’s finally released. Not to mention, we’re 100% here for this direction and hoping this means Electra 4 is on the horizon.
05:
Mandy, Indiana – Cursive
Really loving this one. Second single from their new album URGH (out on Wednesday), this one continues the dark industrial vibes they kill at, and throws in a jungle beat for good measure. While we might have no clue what vocalist Valentine Caulfield is saying (French), that’s the way we like it. Pairing the song with the below fisheye lens music video is a win-win. Don’t sleep on the new Mandy, Indiana album.
06:
Motionless In White – Afraid of the Dark
Now that’s a way to return. I’m not one of the people who will ever say a band needs to return to the sound of the first records that got them their base. I love it when bands experiment and push the boundaries of their sound. But Motionless had their fair share of “fans” who clamored for that old sound after the band produced the highly successful “Octane-core” albums Graveyard Shift, Disguise, and Scoring the End of the World. So cue the band returning with this fresh single that hits with blast beats right out of the gates alongside vocalist Chris Motionless’ signature yells. Combine the best of old and the best of the aforementioned trio of albums, and you get this track. I’m sure there will still be something for someone to complain about, but for what it’s worth, this track is solid.
07:
Fcukers – L.U.C.K.Y.
The third single from the duo’s upcoming record Ö (out March 27th on Ninja Tune), this one features production from two industry giants, Kenneth Blume (formerly Kenny Beats) and Dillon Brady. It continues the house vibes of single I Like It Like That and pairs it with a music video that quite possibly could be their most expensive to date. I say that while being certain it costs no more than a few grand to shoot. Their previous videos were probably shot on a Nintendo DS camera with either a green screen or on-site somewhere. Anyways, if it sounds like I’m being negative, I’m not. This is Fcukers, and they’re amazing. We’re L.U.C.K.Y. to have them.
08:
hemlocke springs – w-w-w-w-w
Prince, is that you? Geeze, hemlocke springs delivers again with this massive, funky cut. The third single from her new album, and spoiler alert, all three have been solid. The production, her vocal delivery, we could go on, but instead we’ll tell you that the apple tree under the sea, is available February 13th on AWAL.
09:
Converge – We Were Never The Same
The second single from the band’s new record Love Is Not Enough (due out February 13th on Epitaph), this one continues the ferocious riffs, pounding drums, and catchy melodies of the first single. The production in general is just incredible, the bass tone, Jacob’s vocals, I don’t know, man… Converge just hits the same in 2026 as it did in 2000. And that’s a damn good thing.
10:
underscores – Do It (Yves Remix)
Might be cheating a bit here since “Do It” was released late in 2025, but this new Yves remix from last week freshens up the track and gives it another much-deserved spotlight. While I’m a huge fan of everything underscores has released, especially 2023’s much-talked-about Wallsocket, I’m really loving this new synth-pop direction she’s been heading. Whether it’s the new direction or just another one-off track, the original “Do It” and this remix by Yves are definitely in our favorites.
