2026/1/18 Albums of the Week (Issue #11)

Albums of the Week (Issue #11)

January 18th, 2026 - January 24th, 2026

1) Sonny Clark - Cool Struttin'

    Hard Bop - 1958

    Sonny Clark's 1958 record is proof of Clark's genius and his short-lived career cut short by a sudden death. With a deeper focus in the grooves and improvisational aspect of bop, Sonny Clark and his band comes to life in this brilliant cult classic.

2) Betty Davis - They Say I'm Different

    Funk - 1974

    With her controversial performance style and sexually charged lyricism, Betty Davis delivers an uncompromising collection of funk music. Davis's album features an amazing rhythm section with a dirty bass sound and Davis's vocals barge through speakers with attitude and pure funk rawness.

3) The Gun Club - Fire of Love

    Punk Blues - 1981

    An interesting mashup of punk rock with blues influence, The Gun Club shook the alternative music scene with startling firepower. Angsty vocal delivery, disturbing lyrical narratives, and deep, passionate energy reverberates through the entire record, influencing the likes of Sonic Youth, Pixies, and Nirvana.

4) Kishori Amonkar - Raga Shuddh Kalyan & Raga Suha

    Khayal - 1999

    Khayal (Or khyal), a classical musical genre from India with a focus on romantic poetry, can be best experienced with these selected recordings from one of its greatest performers, Kishori Amonkar. Pushing emotions over tradition, Amonkar delivers impressively long lyrical passages over the droning, hypnotic instrumental. Amonkar's endurance comes clear in these challenging pieces, notably in the whopping 56-minute track, "Khyal in Vilambit Teental."

5) Draconian - Under a Godless Veil

    Gothic Metal - 2020

    Balancing aggression with fragility, Draconian creates an emotionally charged record that captures melancholy and intense anger. The cinematic sounds of the guitars and drums with the use of reverb and distortion help create a new classic in the gothic metal genre.

Leave comments on any of these albums you’ve listened to or any album recommendations for others wanting to dive more into the artists this week. Until then, keep exploring good music!