Singles Only: January 2026

Paul Taylor
2 days ago
3 min read

Well, well, well... Singles Only is back by unpopular demand! We're looking to the future at upcoming albums by way of the best singles released this month. But first, to look back on the records from this month. The LP's that caught my attention this month have been relatively limited (as January is wont to do), but I did appreciate the frenetic jazz rock of Renatto Olivares on Aguas Raras and the lyrically personal, progressive Deathcore of Anna Pest on Dark Arms Reach Skywards With Bone White Fingers II: Be (Not) Afraid.

Converge - "We Were Never the Same"

from Love Is Not Enough out February 13th

Love Is Not Enough is easily my most anticipated album coming out this year. Converge dropped the opening track back in November and it set the stage for the band's first record in 5 years to be quick footed and visceral. "We Were Never the Same" will close out the new record and it is just as fresh and exciting as the title-track.

"WWNTS" is relatively mid-tempo for metalcore, dominated by tom-heavy drumming and a relentless bass gallop. The riffs alternate from wire-sharp leading notes to chugging, growling things for Jacob Bannon to deliver absolutely filthy vocals overtop.

Aaron Shaw - "Heart of a Phoenix"

from And So It Is out February 13th

"Heart of a Phoenix" is a dark and meandering spiritual jazz piece led by Aaron Shaw's flute and saxophone playing. Shaw, alongside his brother Lawrence, have released a few records as Black Nile. This upcoming solo debut is looking to approach avant-garde jazz in a similarly atmospheric way: "Heart of a Phoenix" is rhythmically lilting and unsteady, several parts are dominated by largely unaccompanied solo performances where Shaw's repetitive and soulful flute work can stretch its legs.

Jill Scott - "Pressha"

from To Whom This May Concern out February 13th

"Pressha" is the second single off of Jill Scott's upcoming To Whom This May Concern. The single is an electronically augmented R&B track in the tradition of psychedelic soul. Scott's verses are airy and pleading, amplifying here emotional autopsy, dissecting the underlying faults of a broken relationship. I love the moments where her vocals shift from smooth and composed to become just slightly unrestrained and sharp.

Lantlôs - "Daisies"

from Nowhere In Between Forever out April 3rd

Lantlôs have changed pretty dramatically from their early days as a dreary post-black metal act, and this single from the upcoming Nowhere In Between Forever is a perfect demonstration. "Daisies" opens with major key riffage accompanied by a sharpy, echoing lead synth squealing out bright notes overtop. In some ways this track reminds me of the stoner-pop of Torche, proving that melodically inclined metal can still riff.

Immolation - "Adversary"

from Descent out April 10th

"Adversary" is the first look we've gotten at Immolation's next project. And based on this track it's clear that even after three decades this band has not lost their footing. "Adversary" is a tight balance between frantic, cascading drumming and the unstable riffage common in this style of dissonant death metal.

The track really shines in it's solo and bridge, where the leads and chugging riffs build on the energy of the beginning to first soar high on something of a chorus (or at least as much of a chorus as you'll get in death metal) only then to tumble back down in the outro deluge. Props as well to this cover, one of Eliran Kantor's best pieces.

After - "Cold"

Stand-alone Single

"Cold" feels much darker and more nocturnal than the material on After's two debut EPs last year. Between the subdued string parts, the '90s R&B feel of the first few verses and chorus, to the self-critical and apologetic lyrics. "Cold" does feel a little truncated in structure and overly repetitive: I think that first chorus comes in a little too quick and it ends rather abruptly. Regardless, I think this follows up on their EPs quite well, maintaining their electronic-inflected alt-pop sound.

Isobel - "Limn"

Stand-alone Single

"Limn" is a waltzy chamber pop track from a Grand Rapids based artist named Isobel. She's yet to release a full LP, but "Limn" demonstrates a very strong ear for this style of airy, lilting indie music. The song feels equally meandering and directed, where the waltzing 3/4 time signature drives the track forward jubilantly, the open structure and sparse instrumentation seems content to let Isobel's vocals to carry the tune.