[January 2026] Summary of the Latest Western Music Releases

Cali CrazyNEW!Feng

Feng – Cali Crazy

As a new wave in the UK underground, FEN, a young rapper emerging from Croydon in South London, is making his mark.

Born in 2006, his DIY-driven production style and the sensibilities of the internet generation are drawing attention.

Kicking off his 2026, his new single is “Cali Crazy.” Released in January following his 2025 album “What The Feng,” the track may be short, but it perfectly pairs his signature airy flow with a subtly nostalgic beat.

The lyrics, which feel like snapshots of everyday life, also leave an impression, making this a recommended listen for anyone seeking laid-back rap.

energy! (feat. Keyon Harrold)NEW!Tiana Major9

Tiana Major9 – energy! feat. Keyon Harrold (Official Video)

Tiana Major9 is a London-based R&B singer with roots in jazz and reggae, known as a formidable talent who was nominated for a Grammy for her contribution to the film Queen & Slim.

In January 2026, she released a new track featuring jazz trumpeter Keyon Harrold; it serves as the lead single from her forthcoming album November Scorpio, due the following month.

Produced in Jamaica, the song stands out for its lustrous neo-soul groove and trumpet lines that entwine like a voice.

It conveys the inner passion and energy that emerge at life’s turning points—perfect for a night when you want to bask in a quiet euphoria or when you need to firmly reclaim your own pace.

Always The Same (feat. St. Vincent)NEW!Cate Le Bon

Cate Le Bon – Always The Same (feat. St. Vincent) (Official Visualizer)

Cate Le Bon is a singer-songwriter and producer from Wales, known for her distinctive art pop inspired by furniture-making.

In recent years, she has also earned high praise as a producer, contributing to Grammy-winning works and achieving remarkable success.

Her latest release, unveiled on January 8, 2026, is a must-hear duet featuring her close collaborator St.

Vincent.

Although written during the sessions for the album Michelangelo Dying, it was intentionally released as a standalone track.

Its dreamy, weightless atmosphere and the elegiac mood woven by their two voices are utterly captivating.

Highly recommended for those who love meticulously crafted sound design!

We Were Never The SameNEW!Converge

Converge – “We Were Never The Same” (Official Visualizer)

Formed in Massachusetts and known as pioneers of the metalcore genre, Converge have continued to lead the scene with overwhelming aggression and artistry, epitomized by their 2001 classic Jane Doe.

Now, as they prepare to release Love Is Not Enough—their first album as a four-piece in about nine years—they’ve unveiled the lead single, We Were Never The Same.

Centered on themes of loss and the lack of empathy in modern society, the track is quintessentially Converge: a taut collision of Kurt Ballou’s razor-sharp riffs and Jacob Bannon’s harrowing screams.

It’s also a crucial song that closes the album, and a must for anyone eager to immerse themselves in visceral, heart-rending intensity.

toothless coalNEW!Nothing

NOTHING – ‘toothless coal’ (Official Music Video)

From Philadelphia, NOTHING is a band known for their shoegaze sound that fuses roaring guitars with delicate melodies.

The track they released in January 2026, “toothless coal,” reflects their hardcore roots.

It’s marked by low-slung, distorted guitars and a cold yet addictive hook, delivering an urgent resonance that seems to embody the theme of “beauty and corrosion.” The song is included on their album “a short history of decay,” slated for release in February of the same year, and, together with a music video directed by Don Argott, serves as a key track heralding a new chapter for the band.

It’s recommended for those who find sweet dream pop unsatisfying or for nights when you want to sink into immersive, heavy sounds.

SPIRALNEW!Brutalismus 3000 & ISOxo

SPIRAL

SPIRAL is a single released in January 2026 by ISOxo, a rising figure in the bass music scene from San Diego, and Brutalismus 3000, a Berlin-based act known for their hard-edged techno-punk.

Coming from different realms yet both capable of igniting fervor, the two have teamed up to deliver a track where ISOxo’s signature aggressive sub-bass fuses with Brutalismus 3000’s fast, hard-hitting beats, while vocals blending English and Slovak accelerate its chaotic atmosphere.

The song had already been stirring buzz as a staple in live sets before its official release, making this recording highly anticipated for fans.

Brimming with an energy that shatters genre boundaries, it’s a must-listen for anyone seeking a thrilling, intense sound.

M-TrainNEW!Buckshot

BUCKSHOT – M-TRAIN (Prod. ASA NISI MASA)

Buckshot, known as a central figure in the Brooklyn-based hip-hop collective Boot Camp Clik and the group Black Moon, is truly one of the living legends who has been active since the ’90s.

In January 2026, he released “M-Train” on SoundCloud.

Produced by Asa Nishi Masa, the track is an introspective work that depicts the effects of drugs felt while riding the subway and hallucinations like laser beams.

Many listeners may be surprised by its modern emo-rap approach, which marks a clear departure from his traditionally hardcore style.

It’s admirable how he refuses to rest on his long career and instead embraces techniques more often associated with younger artists.

Be sure to check it out.