Happy 2026, my dudes! I know this list is pretty late. But I really wanted to share some of my favourite albums from last year. Some you may already be familiar with, others may be new to you. Either way, I hope you discover (or rediscover) something that sparks a fire inside you, or gives you space to breathe.
In no particular order:
“moments” – cut copy
I’ve been a fan of cutters since their debut album, Bright Like Neon Love in 2004, and I’ve seen them more times than I can count. So, I guess when I think about it, they must be one of my fav bands? And so. They are incredible. And this album proves that good bands only get better with age. It’s flawless from start to finish – my go-to album for good vibes since it’s release. (NB: if you’re gonna be at Golden Plains or their gig at the Botanical Gardens, I’ll be at one or the other. Come say hey.)
“almost an island” – almost an island
I’m pretty sure I could listen to Cynthia and James Bernard reciting the dictionary, and find magic and solace in it. They are such magnificent musicians (and humans, to boot), and this, their new band project with (equally magnificent musician), Kenneth James Gibson, is simply sublime. If you came to a sound bath of mine in the second half of 2025, you’d have heard it (or Kenji, see below) as you were settling in. Dreamy and yet deep as the ocean, this is the perfect lazy Sunday (or anyday, tbh) music.
“winds of eternity” – kenji kihara
I love when Stephen from Constellation Tatsu sends me a new batch of new albums from his stellar label. I just know that (at least) one of them will be a new favourite of mine. Like this one from Kenji Kihara – ethereal and transportive, another blissful ambient journey that has been on high rotation pre-sound bath and during at home yin yoga practices.
“keys to the city” – robert glasper
I adore RG. The way he blends jazz and hip hop (two of my fav genres) with that piano playing…. and not to mention, there’s always a Radiohead cover. On this album, it’s Packt Like Sardines in a Crushed Tin Box. And it’s incredible. It also has Norah Jones singing OutKast. I mean, if you can’t get around that, I don’t think we can be friends anymore. I’m sorry.
“crown and country” – crown and country
The first time I heard “wantarri (gift)” from crown and country, I had to pull the car over so I could listen with complete attention. I can count on two hands the amount of times that’s happened to me. Such was the pure power of this release from Warlpiri elder Wanta Jampijinpa Pawu-Kurlpurlurnu and producer Marc Peckham, alongside Jerry Jangala Patrick OAM. Spoken word indigenous wisdom from the depths of deep time, with dub tinged electronica. It’s mindbendingly good.
“legends” – wilson tanner
Ambient in parts, experimental in others, this album from local legends, Wilson Tanner, evokes a sense of pure freedom – perfectly aligned with its production in a sun soaked wine region of South Australia. It’s raw and rough yet shimmering, and so incredibly transportive, featuring sounds of the winery and its surroundings. Dinner cooking music on high rotation at mine.
“the pilgrim slowed and reverb” – willebrant
I love doing yin yoga at home on a Monday night. It’s a bit of a ritual for me. As is doing it to Brian Eno’s classic, “Thursday Afternoon” – I play it so much, it’s almost become a bit of a joke. Until now. Karl, mate? You and Eno now have equal billing in my Monday night yin bliss bubble, thanks to this utter gem of a release. Any yoga teachers reading this should follow suit.
“the universe smiles upon you ii” – khruangbin
K-bin is on constant rotation in my house in the evenings. Most evenings. All year round. Judging by the massive success these guys have (very well deservedly) had in the past few years, I’m sure they are a mainstay for you guys too. So I don’t even need to tell you how rad this album is. A re-up of the original album, released ten years ago. Equally brilliant but fresher and more in line with the live versions of these songs as they exist now. I am eternally grateful I live in the same universe as this trio.
…in other news, expansion b (north) is now streaming in all the places. I know you’re not supposed to have favourite children but of the two sister (albums), this is mine. It’s where I really hit my straps and let go of the old me. The city me. The me who was constrained by her studio and instruments, and expectation. This is where I began to unravel. Where my creativity really began to blossom in new and unexpected ways. I can hear that in every song and even, the flow of the songs. I adore this album.
The two expansion album are ones of mine that I will happily listen to at home without cringing or wishing I could change something about it. Usually I listen and think “I wish I’d changed that synth” or “ugh, that vocal is a bit shit”.
Not these albums. They are a precious family heirloom that remind me of an incredibly special period in my life, and all the magical places I was lucky enough to discover. I am so grateful I made them and am blown away by the response I’ve had from you guys. Thankyou.
And to those of you who haven’t yet discovered it? I hope you dig x
Stream it in all the places now
(hot tip? Play a and b back to back for a rad one hour yoga flow)
