{"id":1718660,"date":"2026-02-02T16:57:00","date_gmt":"2026-02-02T13:57:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=1718660"},"modified":"2026-02-02T16:57:00","modified_gmt":"2026-02-02T13:57:00","slug":"the-only-tracks-you-need-to-hear-from-january-2026","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=1718660","title":{"rendered":"The only tracks you need to hear from January 2026"},"content":{"rendered":"<article class=\"main-article standard \">\n<div class=\"article-main-content article-wrapper has-media-but-its-an-image\" data-status=\"loaded\" data-primary-article=\"true\" data-url=\"\/music\/article\/69530\/1\/the-only-tracks-you-need-to-hear-from-january-2026\" data-article-id=\"69530\">\n<header class=\"article-header has-landscape-image no-media\">\n<div class=\"wrapper dg-max-width\">\n<div class=\"inner\">\n<figure class=\"main-img has-figcaption\" data-img-aspect-ratio-type=\"landscape\" data-img-aspect-ratio=\"1.78\" data-template=\"Standard Article\"><span class=\"has-css-custom-props image-container\" data-aspect-ratio-type=\"landscape\"><span class=\"preserve-aspect-ratio\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Dazed Playlist 16x9\" class=\"img\" height=\"1080\" src=\"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/1436093-1.jpg\" width=\"1920\" title=\"1436093-1\"><\/span><\/span><figcaption class=\"img-caption\"><span class=\"inner\"><span class=\"credit\">Illustration Harvey Wood<\/span><\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<aside class=\"meta\">\n<div class=\"inner\"><time datetime=\"2026-02-02T16:57:00+00:00\" class=\"timestamp\" title=\"02 February 2026\"><span class=\"month\">February<\/span>\u00a0<br \/>\n<span class=\"day\" data-day=\"2\">2,<\/span>\u00a0<br \/>\n<span class=\"year\">2026<\/span><\/time><\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<div class=\"titles\">\n<div class=\"tags\">\n<div class=\"sections\"><a class=\"category vertical - music\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dazeddigital.com\/music\">Music<\/a><br \/>\n\/<br \/>\n<a class=\"series\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dazeddigital.com\/playlist\">Playlist<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"standard-tag-container\"><a class=\"standard-category\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dazeddigital.com\/music\">Music<\/a> \/<br \/>\n<a class=\"standard-series\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dazeddigital.com\/playlist\">Playlist<\/a><\/div>\n<h1 class=\"title\"><span>The only tracks you need to hear from <span class=\"nowrap\">January 2026<\/span><\/span><\/h1>\n<div class=\"standfirst\">\n<h2>We round up the first leg of 2026 music releases with tracks from fakemink, Charli xcx, A$AP Rocky, Dina Ayada, Harry Styles, Kibo <span class=\"nowrap\">and more<\/span><\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<p><time datetime=\"2026-02-02T16:57:00+00:00\" class=\"timestamp\" title=\"02 February 2026\"><span class=\"month\">February<\/span>\u00a0<br \/>\n<span class=\"day\" data-day=\"2\">2,<\/span>\u00a0<br \/>\n<span class=\"year\">2026<\/span><\/time><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><time datetime=\"2026-02-02T16:57:00+00:00\" class=\"timestamp\" title=\"02 February 2026\"><span class=\"month\">February<\/span>\u00a0<br \/>\n<span class=\"day\" data-day=\"2\">2,<\/span>\u00a0<br \/>\n<span class=\"year\">2026<\/span><\/time><\/p>\n<div class=\"providers\">\n<div class=\"contributors\"><span class=\"contributor\" data-contributor-role=\"Text\"><span class=\"contributor-role\">Text<\/span><a class=\"contributor-name\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dazeddigital.com\/user\/solomonpacemccarrick\">Solomon Pace-McCarrick<\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/header>\n<div class=\"article-body-container\">\n<div class=\"article-body wrapper\">\n<div class=\"embed-content\" data-embed-type=\"raw-html-embed\"><iframe data-testid=\"embed-iframe\" src=\"https:\/\/open.spotify.com\/embed\/playlist\/07ylMaHco2i3MPaQDxDiff?utm_source=generator\" width=\"100%\" height=\"352\" frameborder allowfullscreen allow=\"autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; fullscreen; picture-in-picture\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/iframe><\/div>\n<div class=\"embed-content\" data-embed-type=\"raw-html\">\n<p><span>Congratulations, everyone, you made it through the first month of 2026. And, while the depressing state of current affairs might have us all <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dazeddigital.com\/music\/article\/69488\/1\/2016-the-last-good-year-for-music-beyonce-lemon-blond-frank-ocean\"><span>yearning for 2016<\/span><\/a><span>, in music, at least, there are good reasons not to write off 2026 just yet.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span>Chief of which is <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dazeddigital.com\/music\/article\/69279\/1\/uk-ug-gen-z-brits-reinvented-rap-2025-fakemink-esdeekid-jim-legxacy\"><span>UK Ug<\/span><\/a><span> paragon fakemink, who has just dropped his first project since exploding in popularity last year. The <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dazeddigital.com\/music\/article\/69509\/1\/the-boy-who-cried-terrified-ranking-tracks-fakemink-new-ep-fml\"><span>new EP<\/span><\/a><span>, which is titled <\/span><em><span>The Boy who cried Terrified<\/span><\/em><span>, is only 14 minutes long but, through transplanting choice samples from Burial and Flawed Mangoes into mink\u2019s distinctively hyperactive soundworld, it nonetheless gives a strong hint as to where the young star might be headed on his still-upcoming sophomore album, <\/span><em><span>Terrified<\/span><\/em><span>.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span>Speaking of long-awaited projects, last month also saw the release of A$AP Rocky\u2019s <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dazeddigital.com\/music\/article\/69432\/1\/asap-rocky-new-album-2026-dont-be-dumb-features-review\"><span>fourth album <\/span><em><span>Don\u2019t Be Dumb<\/span><\/em><\/a><span>. Arriving a full eight years since Rocky\u2019s last LP, and facing multiple delays due to leaks and sample clearances, the project saw A$AP return to his braggadocious 2011 rap style, alongside a series of lucrative samples that betray the superstar status he\u2019s attained since. And that\u2019s not the only wait that\u2019s set to be over in 2026 because, with the release of restorative electronic track \u201cAperture\u201d, British pop star <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dazeddigital.com\/harry-styles\"><span>Harry Styles<\/span><\/a><span> has also kicked off the campaign for his next album <\/span><em><span>Kiss All The Time. Disco Occasionally<\/span><\/em><span>. Beyonce: it\u2019s your turn next. <\/span><em><span>Renaissance Act III<\/span><\/em><span>, please?<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span>But don\u2019t let all of these heavy-hitters distract you from one of the most exciting projects of last month \u2013 <\/span><em><span>Xavier<\/span><\/em><span>, the debut album from underground rap icon Xaviersobased. From cloud rap through to rage, jerk and plugg, Xav has long been the king of hip-hop microgenres but where the new project really succeeds is in making these niche and experimental sounds profoundly listenable, replete with catchy melodies and \u2013 for the most part \u2013 intelligible lyrics.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span>Meanwhile, on the single front, last month saw the release acerbic garage cut \u201cHeadside in da Skiez\u201d from <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dazeddigital.com\/music\/article\/69324\/1\/10-musicians-to-watch-in-2026-sophia-stel-kibo-tso\"><span>Dazed musician-to-watch<\/span><\/a><span> Kibo \u2013 who, after two years of dominating rap cyphers in the British capital, is finally rolling out new music. Elsewhere, Moroccan-Belgian rapper Dina Ayada has had the Dazed office\u2019s toes wiggling with triumphant trap track \u201cno rush feat. Gunna\u201d, Charli xcx is back in her cinematic score bag with the expansive \u201cWall of Sound\u201d, and soulful north Londoner Osquello offers a timely reminder that we should all be buying music on BandCamp with the release of his latest album <\/span><em><span>PORGY <\/span><\/em><span>(<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/osquello.bandcamp.com\/album\/porgy-lp\"><span>cop here<\/span><\/a><span>).<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span>See you next month! (Or, rather at the end of this one, because we\u2019re a little late \u2013 sorry!)<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong>Album of the month:<\/strong><span> Xaviersobased \u2013 <\/span><em><span>Xavier<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n<p><strong>Track of the month:<\/strong><span> Dina Ayada \u2013 \u201cno rush feat. Gunna\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><em><span>Although we post these round-ups at the end of every month, we update the playlist regularly for our subscribers \u2013 so be sure to follow us on <\/span><\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/open.spotify.com\/user\/dazedmagazine\/playlist\/07ylMaHco2i3MPaQDxDiff\"><em><span>Spotify<\/span><\/em><\/a><em><span> for the hottest new tracks.<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"newsletter-inline-last\">\n<div class=\"newsletter-small\">\n<div class=\"inner\">\n<h1 class=\"newsletter-title\">Escape the algorithm! Get The Drop<\/h1>\n<div class=\"meta-row\">\n<p class=\"meta\">Get must-see stories direct to your inbox every weekday.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dazeddigital.com\/privacy-policy\" class=\"meta-link\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><br \/>\nPrivacy policy<br \/>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"confirmation\" aria-live=\"polite\">\n<p class=\"confirmation-title\">Thank you. You have been subscribed<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dazeddigital.com\/privacy-policy\" class=\"meta-link\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><br \/>\nPrivacy policy<br \/>\n<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<footer class=\"article-footer\">\n<div class=\"wrapper\">\n<div class=\"article-series\">\n<h4 class=\"heading\">More on these topics<\/h4>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-series\"><a class=\"series\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dazeddigital.com\/music\">Music<\/a><a class=\"series\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dazeddigital.com\/playlist\">Playlist<\/a><a class=\"series\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dazeddigital.com\/tag\/uk-ug\">UK Ug<\/a><a class=\"series\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dazeddigital.com\/tag\/fakemink\">Fakemink<\/a><a class=\"series\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dazeddigital.com\/tag\/harry-styles\">Harry Styles<\/a><a class=\"series\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dazeddigital.com\/tag\/asap-rocky\">ASAP Rocky<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/footer>\n<div class=\"grid\">\n<div class=\"lava-lamp\">\n<div class=\"lava-lamp-text-container\">\n<h3 class=\"lava-lamp-subheading\">Expand your creative community and connect with 15,000 creatives from around the world.<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid section-header\">\n<div class=\"section-header__link\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dazeddigital.com\/music\/article\/69530\/1\/music\"><\/p>\n<h2 class=\"section-header__title\">READ MORE<\/h2>\n<p><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid tag-article-list\">\n<div class=\"swiper swiper-latest\">\n<div class=\"swiper-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"swiper-slide list-element\">\n<div class=\"scard-latest__section\">\n<div class=\"card-latest__wrapper\"><a class=\"card-latest\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dazeddigital.com\/music\/article\/69533\/1\/ice-out-grammys-2026-fight-for-cultural-power-us-america-bad-bunny\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"card-latest__img-wrapper\"><span class=\"image-container\" data-aspect-ratio-type=\"landscape\"><span class=\"preserve-aspect-ratio\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"bad bunny grammys 2026\" src=\"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/1436095.jpg\" title=\"1436095\"><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"card-latest__content\">\n<h3 class=\"card-latest__title\">ICE Out, the Grammys, and the fight for cultural power in the US<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<p><\/a><a class=\"card-latest\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dazeddigital.com\/music\/article\/69528\/1\/grammys-2026-the-biggest-snubs-from-this-year-s-awards\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"card-latest__img-wrapper\"><span class=\"image-container\" data-aspect-ratio-type=\"landscape\"><span class=\"preserve-aspect-ratio\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Justin Bieber performing at the 2026 Grammys\" src=\"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/1436092-2.jpg\" title=\"1436092-2\"><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"card-latest__content\">\n<h3 class=\"card-latest__title\">Grammys 2026: The biggest snubs from this year\u2019s awards<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<p><\/a><a class=\"card-latest\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dazeddigital.com\/fashion\/article\/69520\/1\/what-went-down-at-lila-moss-intimate-adanola-dinner-in-london\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"card-latest__img-wrapper\">\n<p class=\"optional-paragraph\">Adanola<\/p>\n<p><span class=\"image-container\" data-aspect-ratio-type=\"landscape\"><span class=\"preserve-aspect-ratio\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"ADANOLA X DAZED DINNER HOSTED BY LILA MOSS\" src=\"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/1435936-8.jpg\" title=\"1435936-8\"><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"card-latest__content\">\n<h3 class=\"card-latest__title\">What went down at Lila Moss\u2019 intimate Adanola dinner in London<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<p><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"swiper-slide list-element\">\n<div class=\"scard-latest__section\">\n<div class=\"card-latest__wrapper\"><a class=\"card-latest\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dazeddigital.com\/music\/article\/69519\/1\/tony-njoku-event-series-aims-to-bring-spirituality-back-to-live-music\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"card-latest__img-wrapper\"><span class=\"image-container\" data-aspect-ratio-type=\"landscape\"><span class=\"preserve-aspect-ratio\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Conjuring 1 Artist Composite\" src=\"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/1435926-1.jpg\" title=\"1435926-1\"><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"card-latest__content\">\n<h3 class=\"card-latest__title\">This new event series aims to bring spirituality back to live music<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<p><\/a><a class=\"card-latest\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dazeddigital.com\/music\/article\/69513\/1\/midnight-sun-producer-margo-xs-grammy-michigan-transness-viral-pop\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"card-latest__img-wrapper\"><span class=\"image-container\" data-aspect-ratio-type=\"landscape\"><span class=\"preserve-aspect-ratio\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Edit_Sequence 01.00_07_38_14.Still024\" src=\"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/1435863-4.jpg\" title=\"1435863-4\"><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"card-latest__content\">\n<h3 class=\"card-latest__title\">Margo XS on the sound of transness: \u2018Malleable, synthetic and glossy\u2019<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<p><\/a><a class=\"card-latest\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dazeddigital.com\/music\/article\/69509\/1\/the-boy-who-cried-terrified-ranking-tracks-fakemink-new-ep-fml\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"card-latest__img-wrapper\"><span class=\"image-container\" data-aspect-ratio-type=\"landscape\"><span class=\"preserve-aspect-ratio\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"ab6761670000ecd4b6987b3bed62263200072ca8\" src=\"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/1435849-2.jpeg\" title=\"1435849-2\"><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"card-latest__content\">\n<h3 class=\"card-latest__title\">The Boy who cried Terrified: Ranking all the tracks on fakemink\u2019s new EP<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<p><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"swiper-slide list-element\">\n<div class=\"scard-latest__section\">\n<div class=\"card-latest__wrapper\"><a class=\"card-latest\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dazeddigital.com\/music\/article\/69502\/1\/music-is-black-british-story-exhibition-coming-to-va-east\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"card-latest__img-wrapper\"><span class=\"image-container\" data-aspect-ratio-type=\"landscape\"><span class=\"preserve-aspect-ratio\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Normski, She Rockers (London RapDance Crew) (1988)\" src=\"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/1435569-2.jpg\" title=\"1435569-2\"><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"card-latest__content\">\n<h3 class=\"card-latest__title\">A massive exhibition on Black British music is coming to V&amp;A East<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<p><\/a><a class=\"card-latest\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dazeddigital.com\/music\/article\/69470\/1\/atmospheric-dream-pop-artist-maria-somerville-luster-ireland-offline-favourites\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"card-latest__img-wrapper\"><span class=\"image-container\" data-aspect-ratio-type=\"landscape\"><span class=\"preserve-aspect-ratio\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Maria Somerville\" src=\"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/1434904-2.jpg\" title=\"1434904-2\"><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"card-latest__content\">\n<h3 class=\"card-latest__title\">Atmospheric dream-pop artist Maria Somerville shares her offline favourites<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<p><\/a><a class=\"card-latest\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dazeddigital.com\/music\/article\/69501\/1\/partying-crime-new-london-nightlife-taskforce-report-24-hour\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"card-latest__img-wrapper\"><span class=\"image-container\" data-aspect-ratio-type=\"landscape\"><span class=\"preserve-aspect-ratio\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"1420644\" src=\"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/1435557-2.jpg\" title=\"1435557-2\"><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"card-latest__content\">\n<h3 class=\"card-latest__title\">A 24-hour London will save the city\u2019s nightlife, says new report<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<p><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"swiper-slide list-element\">\n<div class=\"scard-latest__section\">\n<div class=\"card-latest__wrapper\"><a class=\"card-latest\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dazeddigital.com\/music\/article\/69491\/1\/nigerian-gen-z-rappers-are-coming-for-the-mainstream\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"card-latest__img-wrapper\"><span class=\"image-container\" data-aspect-ratio-type=\"landscape\"><span class=\"preserve-aspect-ratio\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"YvPxYRbxT9o-SD\" src=\"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/1435288-2.jpg\" title=\"1435288-2\"><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"card-latest__content\">\n<h3 class=\"card-latest__title\">\u2018It\u2019s a revolution\u2019: Nigeria\u2019s new-gen rappers are hitting the mainstream<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<p><\/a><a class=\"card-latest\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dazeddigital.com\/music\/article\/69488\/1\/2016-the-last-good-year-for-music-beyonce-lemon-blond-frank-ocean\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"card-latest__img-wrapper\"><span class=\"image-container\" data-aspect-ratio-type=\"landscape\"><span class=\"preserve-aspect-ratio\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Untitled design\" src=\"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/1435271-2.jpg\" title=\"1435271-2\"><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"card-latest__content\">\n<h3 class=\"card-latest__title\">Why are we so nostalgic for the music of 2016?<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<p><\/a><a class=\"card-latest\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dazeddigital.com\/music\/article\/69467\/1\/dazed-mix-oskie-wipppps-ep-la-dj-producer\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"card-latest__img-wrapper\"><span class=\"image-container\" data-aspect-ratio-type=\"landscape\"><span class=\"preserve-aspect-ratio\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Lead Image 16x9 \u2013 10\" src=\"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/1435098-2.jpg\" title=\"1435098-2\"><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"card-latest__content\">\n<h3 class=\"card-latest__title\">Listen to Oskie\u2019s \u2018perennially joyful\u2019 Dazed mix<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<p><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"newsletter-inline\" data-newsletter hidden>\n<div class=\"newsletter-small\">\n<div class=\"inner\">\n<h1 class=\"newsletter-title\">Escape the algorithm! Get The Drop<\/h1>\n<div class=\"meta-row\">\n<p class=\"meta\">Get must-see stories direct to your inbox every weekday.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dazeddigital.com\/privacy-policy\" class=\"meta-link\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><br \/>\nPrivacy policy<br \/>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"confirmation\" aria-live=\"polite\">\n<p class=\"confirmation-title\">Thank you. You have been subscribed<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dazeddigital.com\/privacy-policy\" class=\"meta-link\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><br \/>\nPrivacy policy<br \/>\n<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<div class=\"article-body wrapper\">\n<div class=\"embed-content\" data-embed-type=\"raw-html-embed\"><iframe data-testid=\"embed-iframe\" src=\"https:\/\/open.spotify.com\/embed\/playlist\/07ylMaHco2i3MPaQDxDiff?utm_source=generator\" width=\"100%\" height=\"352\" frameborder allowfullscreen allow=\"autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; fullscreen; picture-in-picture\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/iframe><\/div>\n<div class=\"embed-content\" data-embed-type=\"raw-html\">\n<p><span>Congratulations, everyone, you made it through the first month of 2026. And, while the depressing state of current affairs might have us all <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dazeddigital.com\/music\/article\/69488\/1\/2016-the-last-good-year-for-music-beyonce-lemon-blond-frank-ocean\"><span>yearning for 2016<\/span><\/a><span>, in music, at least, there are good reasons not to write off 2026 just yet.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span>Chief of which is <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dazeddigital.com\/music\/article\/69279\/1\/uk-ug-gen-z-brits-reinvented-rap-2025-fakemink-esdeekid-jim-legxacy\"><span>UK Ug<\/span><\/a><span> paragon fakemink, who has just dropped his first project since exploding in popularity last year. The <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dazeddigital.com\/music\/article\/69509\/1\/the-boy-who-cried-terrified-ranking-tracks-fakemink-new-ep-fml\"><span>new EP<\/span><\/a><span>, which is titled <\/span><em><span>The Boy who cried Terrified<\/span><\/em><span>, is only 14 minutes long but, through transplanting choice samples from Burial and Flawed Mangoes into mink\u2019s distinctively hyperactive soundworld, it nonetheless gives a strong hint as to where the young star might be headed on his still-upcoming sophomore album, <\/span><em><span>Terrified<\/span><\/em><span>.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span>Speaking of long-awaited projects, last month also saw the release of A$AP Rocky\u2019s <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dazeddigital.com\/music\/article\/69432\/1\/asap-rocky-new-album-2026-dont-be-dumb-features-review\"><span>fourth album <\/span><em><span>Don\u2019t Be Dumb<\/span><\/em><\/a><span>. Arriving a full eight years since Rocky\u2019s last LP, and facing multiple delays due to leaks and sample clearances, the project saw A$AP return to his braggadocious 2011 rap style, alongside a series of lucrative samples that betray the superstar status he\u2019s attained since. And that\u2019s not the only wait that\u2019s set to be over in 2026 because, with the release of restorative electronic track \u201cAperture\u201d, British pop star <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dazeddigital.com\/harry-styles\"><span>Harry Styles<\/span><\/a><span> has also kicked off the campaign for his next album <\/span><em><span>Kiss All The Time. Disco Occasionally<\/span><\/em><span>. Beyonce: it\u2019s your turn next. <\/span><em><span>Renaissance Act III<\/span><\/em><span>, please?<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span>But don\u2019t let all of these heavy-hitters distract you from one of the most exciting projects of last month \u2013 <\/span><em><span>Xavier<\/span><\/em><span>, the debut album from underground rap icon Xaviersobased. From cloud rap through to rage, jerk and plugg, Xav has long been the king of hip-hop microgenres but where the new project really succeeds is in making these niche and experimental sounds profoundly listenable, replete with catchy melodies and \u2013 for the most part \u2013 intelligible lyrics.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span>Meanwhile, on the single front, last month saw the release acerbic garage cut \u201cHeadside in da Skiez\u201d from <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dazeddigital.com\/music\/article\/69324\/1\/10-musicians-to-watch-in-2026-sophia-stel-kibo-tso\"><span>Dazed musician-to-watch<\/span><\/a><span> Kibo \u2013 who, after two years of dominating rap cyphers in the British capital, is finally rolling out new music. Elsewhere, Moroccan-Belgian rapper Dina Ayada has had the Dazed office\u2019s toes wiggling with triumphant trap track \u201cno rush feat. Gunna\u201d, Charli xcx is back in her cinematic score bag with the expansive \u201cWall of Sound\u201d, and soulful north Londoner Osquello offers a timely reminder that we should all be buying music on BandCamp with the release of his latest album <\/span><em><span>PORGY <\/span><\/em><span>(<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/osquello.bandcamp.com\/album\/porgy-lp\"><span>cop here<\/span><\/a><span>).<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span>See you next month! (Or, rather at the end of this one, because we\u2019re a little late \u2013 sorry!)<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong>Album of the month:<\/strong><span> Xaviersobased \u2013 <\/span><em><span>Xavier<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n<p><strong>Track of the month:<\/strong><span> Dina Ayada \u2013 \u201cno rush feat. Gunna\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><em><span>Although we post these round-ups at the end of every month, we update the playlist regularly for our subscribers \u2013 so be sure to follow us on <\/span><\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/open.spotify.com\/user\/dazedmagazine\/playlist\/07ylMaHco2i3MPaQDxDiff\"><em><span>Spotify<\/span><\/em><\/a><em><span> for the hottest new tracks.<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"newsletter-inline-last\">\n<div class=\"newsletter-small\">\n<div class=\"inner\">\n<h1 class=\"newsletter-title\">Escape the algorithm! Get The Drop<\/h1>\n<div class=\"meta-row\">\n<p class=\"meta\">Get must-see stories direct to your inbox every weekday.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dazeddigital.com\/privacy-policy\" class=\"meta-link\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><br \/>\nPrivacy policy<br \/>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"confirmation\" aria-live=\"polite\">\n<p class=\"confirmation-title\">Thank you. You have been subscribed<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dazeddigital.com\/privacy-policy\" class=\"meta-link\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><br \/>\nPrivacy policy<br \/>\n<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p> Source URL: https:\/\/www.dazeddigital.com\/music\/article\/69530\/1\/the-only-tracks-you-need-to-hear-from-january-2026<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Illustration Harvey Wood February\u00a0 2,\u00a0 2026 Music \/ Playlist Music \/ Playlist The only tracks you need to hear from January 2026 We round up the first leg of 2026 music releases with tracks from fakemink, Charli xcx, A$AP Rocky, Dina Ayada, Harry Styles, Kibo and more February\u00a0 2,\u00a0 2026 February\u00a0 2,\u00a0 2026 TextSolomon Pace-McCarrick [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1718661,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[226,76],"class_list":["post-1718660","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-politics","tag-crawlmanager","tag-dazeddigital-com"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1718660","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1718660"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1718660\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/1718661"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1718660"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1718660"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1718660"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}