After sitting around for ten days, bingeing TV and eating little cubes of cheese, it’s time to get back to reality. An easy way to slide into 2026 is with the weekly Five Songs You Must Hear list.
1. Ailtin Gün, Neredesin Sen
Garip (ATO Records)
Recommended If You Like: Turkish alt-rock
Turkish alt-rock isn’t something that comes up on the radar very much in this part of the world, but you do need to check out this group covering a classic song by Neşet Ertaş, a beloved figure in music. The choice of material isn’t surprising given that Altin Gün (est. 2018) loves to take traditional songs and sounds and—well, you’ll see. LOVE the intro.
2. David Byrne, T-Shirt
Single (Matador)
RIYL: Whatever is in your top drawer
When Talking Heads needed to take things to the next level in the very early 80s, they brought in producer Brian Eno. The combination worked so well that David Byrne and Eno continued to work together on a variety of projects. This song, a co-write, will ring true for anyone who hate collared shirts.
3. Man/Woman/Chainsaw, Only Girl
Single (Fiction)
RIYL: 90s guitar-based alt-pop
This six-piece (four women, two guys) from London have one of the weirdest names of the decade has just released what they call a “playful love song” that began as a grunge-like jam but somehow ended up including a violin. This is fresh in a Ben Folds Five/New Radicals sort of way.
4. Mark Williams Lewis, Skeletons Coupling
Single (A24)
RIYL: Romance. No, really.
More from Britain. Mark was skipping stones into the Thames after a party to clear his head. That’s when the bones (sorry) of this song started coming together. The title is from a photograph by Nan Goldin. This sounds good on a still winter’s night.
Deadletter, To the Brim
Heat! EP (SO Recordings)
RIYL: Tension
Still more Britain, this time from Yorkshire. Deadletter (actually, we’re supposed to spell it DEADLETTER) has been releasing singles for the last bit, all of which are included on this EP. If you have any Talking Heads or Gang of Four in your library or you’re just into solidly atmospheric post-punk, it’s time for a listen. Lots of hype in the UK press, too.
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