2026/2/1 Albums of the Week (Issue #13)

Albums of the Week (Issue #13)

February 1st, 2026 - February 7th, 2026

1) Taj Mahal - Taj Mahal

    Electric Blues - 1968

    This debut album by a genre-fusion legend sees the musician starting his career with his primary genre of expertise: Blues. Though blues have become a forgotten genre of music in the popular hemispheres of today's music, Taj Mahal puts out a last hurrah of glory for the genre, covering a handful of classics and giving it an electric sound that would eventually pave the way for the rock music era that was slowly settling in.

2) Compagnia il Cerchio, Roberto De Simone & Nuova Compagnia di Canto Popolare - La Gatta Cenerentola

    Canzone Napoletana - 1976

    This operatta composed by Roberto De Simone reinvents the folk songs of southern Italy, bringing a new dramatic revival to these lost sounds. Though not particularly huge when it debuted in the 70s - the US and UK would have their debuts in the 80s - the musical would eventually gain a major cult following and critical reevaluation when it reemerged with the word of mouth from online music circles in the late 2000s. 

3) Me'Shell Ndegéocello - Peace Beyond Passion

    Neo-Soul - 1996

    Though largely forgotten in today's online music circles, Ndegéocello has been nominated many times by the Grammys and has received a lot of critical acclaim by critics over the years. With this album, Ndegéocello makes an amazing mashup of several genres (Blues, funk, soul, jazz, hip hop, rock, and R&B) with lyrics exploring themes of sexuality, religion, race, and politics. There has never been a sound that is this lush and gorgeous that is easily comparable to some of the Neo-Soul greats such as Sade, Erykah Badu, and D'Angelo.

4) Munly & The Lee Lewis Harlots - Munly & The Lee Lewis Harlots

    Gothic Country - 2004

    This one time band left behind a disturbing country album unlike any other. With songs depicting violence, anger, and broken relationships, this album is a pivotal part of the Denver Sound, a genre that comes from a background of gothic, country, folk, and gospel.

5) Coin locker kid - Emphatica

    Neo-Psychedelia - 2015

    Just like the artist's mysterious persona, the album is filled with unusual sound designs that brims with insanity. Breaking into a psychological core of sadness and anger, the album captures a person's disconnect from people and the world in terrifying fashion.

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!