Dry Cleaning kicking off the new year with a bang

1/10/2026 10:50:39 AM

Anything else good since January other than the Superbowl?

3/5/2026 11:04:53 PM

Multiny after Midnight - Johnny Blue Skies and the Dark Clouds (Sturgil Simpson)

He released the whole album on YouTube a few days ago.

3/6/2026 9:07:44 AM

I am challenging the users of this thread to post one artist this year that I don't have to look up.

The winner gets a special prize!

Thank you for your attention to this matter!

3/8/2026 10:23:02 AM

^ you have to look up Sturgill?

3/10/2026 9:39:18 AM

I didn't look him up yet, but yes, I would have to.

3/10/2026 3:10:34 PM

wouldn’t be the first time you’ve looked him up. you posted an article about him last year.

3/10/2026 3:22:27 PM

That's correct -- and I already forgot what I read about him, except probably confirmation that he's a hipster artist. Therefore, I would have to look him up (again).

The challenge stands. I know you guys can surprise me by admitting you listened to new music from just one artist from whom I've either heard a track (or even better from whom I own an album). I have over 10,000 songs in the library and multiple hundreds of CDs, and many of the artists and groups are still alive and performing / recording / releasing, so it's certainly possible. And it needn't be something I actually own. Just something that has permeated the popular culture to a level that even I can't ignore it.

I give you my word I'm not going to hang around and be critical. I just wanted to lay down the challenge in the early part of the year so that you can be thinking about it. I will check back periodically to see if there has been any change in status or if a winner can be declared. And no, I don't think my tastes are better than any of your's -- I think they're much worse, and the fact that I don't even know the artists you tend to rave about really reinforces that point. It's more of an amusement, really.

I'm giving it 50:50 chances that someone meets the challenge. Probably by accident, but a win is a win! Good luck to all!

3/10/2026 7:34:59 PM

Does Gorillaz on SNL count? That was 2026, pretty sure you've heard of them before.

3/10/2026 11:44:39 PM

Yes, I have, and I even watched that. It was good. Partial credit -- maybe a win!

See, it's easy!

3/11/2026 6:23:08 AM

Dry Cleaning and Johnny Blue Skies have been mentioned in similar threads on here before.

I had never heard of these artists before seeing them referenced in prior years' threads, and now I have albums from both of them.

3/11/2026 6:58:21 AM

yeah tbh at this point i don't care if i've heard of the musical act before. i'm equal opportunity, so probably a lot of good shit i've missed too

3/11/2026 9:30:15 AM

Where is your characteristic old person stubborness and innate resistance to new things?!

3/11/2026 9:42:27 AM

Sturgill Simpson (now Johnny Blue Skies) has been around for over a decade, he selsl-out large venues all across the country, he's been on Letterman, Conan, Fallon, Meyers, SNL, and Austin City Limits, he did a song for a Bill Murray/Adam Driver movie, he was a character and performed a song in the Righteous Gemstones. He's not exactly some obscure hipster artist.

[Edited on March 12, 2026 at 10:34 AM. Reason : ]

3/12/2026 10:34:08 AM

I couldn't name a Sturgil Simpson song, but I have heard of him

3/12/2026 1:40:54 PM

Here's a few videos of his from his SOund and Fury album 6 years ago. It's not his "typical" music, but he ventures into a lot of different genres. And I think The Coz likes anime?


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8qX02AW48bM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b9jl5cLIMuM&list=RDb9jl5cLIMuM&start_radio=1

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SpSMoBp8awM&list=RDSpSMoBp8awM&start_radio=1

[Edited on March 12, 2026 at 1:47 PM. Reason : sorry, going off-topic]

3/12/2026 1:47:32 PM

Quote :

"And I think The Coz likes anime?"

Not as a rule. I watched Invincible, and King of the Hill. Both are from Korean animation studios. Is that what you mean?

3/12/2026 10:31:40 PM

3/13/2026 12:07:43 AM

The suggestion is not that he's new or unknown to normal people. It's that I'm generationally stuck and complacent in my musical exposure and consumption. But I'm fine with it.

Gorillaz is closest. I guess I should give the win to StTexan.

3/13/2026 12:46:22 AM

I heard Megadeath, U2 and They Might Be Giants put out new albums this year. Are you familiar with any of them?

3/13/2026 10:36:17 AM

Damn, 3-for-3! I posted a track from the Megadeth album in the "What are you listening to right now" thread in Chit Chat. But those kinds of releases rarely or never make an appearance here. That's really the crux of the initial observation.

Bullet wins, I guess!

[Edited on March 13, 2026 at 3:26 PM. Reason : Except you misspelled Megadeth.]

3/13/2026 3:26:14 PM

I def would have spelled deth like death and therefore need extra time to opine

3/13/2026 3:28:45 PM

Courtney Barnett is releasing her first album in 5 years on 3/27 (not including her film score). Something to look forward to.

3/16/2026 10:47:49 AM