All Songs Considered

New Music Friday: The best albums out Jan. 9

January 9, 2026

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  • The *All Songs Considered* episode "New Music Friday: The best albums out Jan. 9" featured discussions on new releases from Dry Cleaning, Jenny on Holiday, Mon Rovîa, Homestar, and Kris Davis and the Lutoslawski Quartet. 
  • Dry Cleaning's new album, *Secret Love*, is noted for its collaboration with Kate LeBon and its ability to find variation within a seemingly limited, deadpan sound. 
  • Celia Gregory from WNXP was announced as a judge for the upcoming 12th annual Tiny Desk Contest, which opens the following Tuesday. 

Segments

Dry Cleaning Album Review
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(00:00:50)
  • Key Takeaway: Dry Cleaning’s third LP, Secret Love, features production by Kate LeBon and showcases vocal nuance beyond spoken word.
  • Summary: Dry Cleaning’s new album, Secret Love, is their third LP and features production input from Kate LeBon. Singer Florence Shaw utilizes subtle melodic fluctuations within her spoken word delivery to evoke significant emotion. The album explores dark content but maintains a humorous edge, contrasting tender tracks like ‘Let Me Grow and You’ll See the Fruit’ with gnarlier ones like ‘Rocks’.
Jenny on Holiday Debut
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(00:07:11)
  • Key Takeaway: Jenny on Holiday’s debut, Quicksand Heart, is a more straight-ahead, anthemic pop record compared to her work in Let’s Eat Grandma.
  • Summary: Jenny on Holiday’s debut solo record is Quicksand Heart, from Jenny Hollingworth of Let’s Eat Grandma. The music is described as springy, shiny, anthemic power pop reminiscent of 80s/90s Britpop, less synth-driven than The Churches. The title track explores the theme of being open and enveloped in interactions, setting an intention for presence.
Tiny Desk Contest Announcement
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(00:15:19)
  • Key Takeaway: Celia Gregory from WNXP was announced as a judge for the 12th annual Tiny Desk contest opening soon.
  • Summary: The 12th annual Tiny Desk contest for unsigned artists opens the following Tuesday. The winner records a full Tiny Desk concert in the NPR Music offices. Celia Gregory from WNXP was revealed as one of the judges for the 2026 contest.
Mon Rovîa Introspective Debut
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(00:17:24)
  • Key Takeaway: Mon Rovîa’s debut album, Bloodline, powerfully narrates his life story, including his adoption from Liberia and grappling with identity.
  • Summary: Mon Rovîa, based in Tennessee, released his debut album Bloodline, which details his life journey from being born in Liberia to being raised in the States. The music reflects his straddling of different identities and places, with tracks like the title song dealing with his heritage. Influences noted include Sufjan Stevens and Jose Gonzalez, particularly in the delicate nature of the storytelling.
Homestar Pop-Punk Project
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(00:23:31)
  • Key Takeaway: Homestar’s debut, A Binding Life, showcases Evan Lescolette’s meticulous, catchy power pop and pop-punk songwriting.
  • Summary: Homestar is the solo project of Evan Lescolette, formerly of the band Marietta, who wrote and played most of the music on A Binding Life. The album features big pop-punk hooks, huge drums (with drummer Tim McMonagall), and is recommended for fans of Pup or White Reaper. The songs reflect pandemic-era themes of transition and anxiety delivered without sounding whiny.
Kris Davis Climate Suite
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(00:30:23)
  • Key Takeaway: Kris Davis and the Lutoslawski Quartet’s The Solastalgia Suite is a jazz/neoclassical crossover composition meditating on climate change horror.
  • Summary: The Solostalgia Suite is a composition for piano and Polish string quartet by Grammy-winner Kris Davis, focusing on the horror and grief associated with climate change. The term ‘solastalgia’ refers to feeling homesick while still at home, mourning loss in place. The music is described as evoking dread and discordance, such as in the track ‘Pressure and Yield,’ which aims to evoke the earth breaking apart.
Lightning Round Releases
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(00:36:57)
  • Key Takeaway: Other notable January 9th releases include Zach Bryan’s supersized album With Heaven On Top and Pullman’s first album in decades.
  • Summary: The lightning round highlighted several other releases, including country superstar Zach Bryan’s highly anticipated album, With Heaven On Top. The Cribs released Selling A Vibe, marking a strong return for the long-running UK band. Pullman, a supergroup featuring members of Tortoise, released their third album, III, their first since 2001.