Winter Music '26

Ethereal, groovy, and feelin' free.

1. Here in the Pitch - Jessica Pratt

"It's the age of what's to come," sings Jessica Pratt, "and baby, you're on." This line, and actually every line from the opening track, pour into my heart like the profound whispers of an ethereal muse. "Life Is" is an almost endlessly repeatable single, and it very well may soundtrack my year. This moment in history really is the age of what's to come, for me and for everyone in this weird, wild world.

For a couple years, I've been searching for decent "hippie folk" music from the 60s and 70s, with mixed success. Turns out I needed to check modern music. Jessica Pratt--mysterious, haunting, and beautiful--created exactly what I wanted. Thanks!

Whether Pratt sings verse or bridge, it all feels like part of a continual chorus. Prepare to be hypnotized with Pratt's vocal range, and stirred with her words. Check out the videos for the retro-psychedelic visuals and literal hippies (and the other excellent singles). Here in the Pitch is the charming dreamscape vision I yearn to live within, and often do.

2. "The Thing" - TOMORA

Who is TOMORA, and how did they get their name? TOMORA is the new duo formed of Tom Rowlands (of the Chemical Brothers) + AURORA. I'll let you figure out how they formed their, um, eponymous name, I guess? 5 Points!

Aurora already lives in my playlists with tracks like"The River" and that psy-ambient cover of "Pink Moon," among others. And I freaking love the Chemical Brothers. So let's do this!

Anyone who follows either act will likely already know that Aurora contributed liberally to the Chem's "No Geography" album. While I enjoyed their previous collaboration, I had no idea I needed more of it, until I heard it. Tomora's first single, "Ring the Alarm," sounds like much of Tom's solo work, a heady bass throbber pierced with Aurora's alarm-like ululations. I expected more tech-house for the next single.

"The Thing," however, is more of an electric trip-hop ballad that blends the best of both artists. Aurora's controlled high notes balance the gushing bass, and her voice needs only itself to carry the quiet bridges. Tom's beat, a rolling thrum, builds to an all-out groove. Finally, "The Thing" settles with a trippy breakdown and a climax that pulls Aurora's previous high notes into a new and uplifting finish. Fans of the Chem Bros will recognize familiar musical tropes.

I cling to this song as a counterbalance to the beginning of 2026. And I look forward to their first album dropping in April!

3. "Eden"- Avalon Emerson

In 2023, Avalon Emerson's album, & the Charm, caught my attention with tracks like "Astrology Poisoning," "Karaoke Song" (& the Ineffekt remix!) and the Chems-like big-beat sprawler "A Dam Will Always Divide." I won't waste your time by listing all of Emerson's quality electronic tracks and collabs (okay, just one: Emerson's work on"E After Next" brought out the best in Moby). Finally, "Long-Forgotten Fairytale" is a fave song for singing along and believing in magic.

Now, the "Eden" single, a gift from an upcoming album due in March, is a funky feel-good bopper that bubbles and sparkles in my mind, with an exuberant chorus that I imagine can apply to either a current or previous lover, take your pick: "You're still my favorite place in Eden / You're still my favorite piece of me."

"Eden" sounds so freaking good. I'm looking forward to checking out the album in March!

4. Tragic Magic - Julianna Barwick and Mary Lattimore

Vocalist and harpist come together for a session of airy breath and tranquil melodies. Perfect for lying among the ferns and violets in a springtime forest while the sun warms your winter-weary skin. Perhaps I'll try that!

Also, fans of "Blade Runner" will notice a familiar tune.

I recommend Tragic Magic for a peaceful mindset. It's very pretty. What if my mind felt this calm all the time?