Sound Check02.07.2026
Sound Check02.07.2026
As we all hurtle toward the mid point of 2026, we found a few minutes to gather together all of the Resident team for some correspondence and dispatches on their (current) favourite albums of 2026 (so far), plus the best track and best gig. It’s a Sound Check Mid-Year Snapshot!
Album: Ana Roxanne - Poem 1 (Kranky)
A haunting ambient meditation - ethereal vocals aligned with richly textured and emotional resonance make this a quietly captivating and absorbing work.
Track: ‘White Horse’ by 1000 Rabbits.
Album: Bethia Beadman - Kitten Feel (5DB Records)
An absolute career high from a truly under the radar artist – a southern gothic masterpiece, something like Polly Harvey making an early Lanegan album but better than that.
Track: ‘Preacher’s Kid’ by Stephen Wilson Jr.
Gig: Ratboys / Sunday Mourners / Former Champ at The Garage.
Album: My Precious Bunny - A Moment In My Eyes (Bella Union)
This album feels so nostalgic and sentimental with its array of synths, guitars, saxophones, and very personable lyrics constructing an introspective dreamy pop rock sound.
Track: ‘Lewin’ by AtticOmatic.
Gig: Way Dynamic at Patterns.
Album: PVA - No More Like This (Secretly Canadian)
Whereas ‘Blush’ was an instant love (& remains an obsession), this, like my porridge oats, is pure slow-release goodness that deliciously sustains energy & attention!
Track: ‘Sour Carol, I’ by ladylike.
Gig: Just Mustard & Makeshift Art Bar at 3Olympia Theatre, Dublin.
Album: Death Cab For Cutie - I Built You A Tower (Anti-)
Death Cab’s latest offering pairs sparse yet complex arrangements and rich emotion, reminding me of my favourite albums ‘Transatlanticism’ and ‘Plans’.
Track: ‘Good, You?’ by The Flatliners.
Gig: Hollow Suns at Rahuset, Copenhagen.
Album: James Blake - Trying Times (Good Boy Records)
Beautifully crafted and my favourite of his albums to date.
Track: ‘Clap Your Hands’ by Daphni.
Gig: Speed x Whispers x Bodyweb x No Relief at Chalk.
Album: Basement - Wired (Run For Cover)
Their first album in 8 years and as strong as they’ve ever been.
Track: ‘Rome (in progress)’ by ladylike.
Gig: Gorilla Biscuits at The Underworld.
Album: TOMORA - COME CLOSER (Fontana)
Blending the magical whimsical aura of Aurora with the pounding electronic beats of Chemical Brothers to create something truly special!
Track: ‘Waiting So Long’ by Daphni.
Gig: Robyn at Hackney Empire.
Album: Shaking Hand - Shaking Hand (Melodic)
A consistent play throughout ‘26 so far and often the soundtrack to an instore pack-down. Super thoughtful parts that make for a seamless record.
Track: ‘Go on, move your body’ by Jana Horn.
Gig: caroline at Chalk.
Album: Weird Nightmare - Hoopla (Sub Pop)
The jangle pop album you didn't know you needed! Has been my go-to and will be a perfect soundtrack for summer.
Track: ‘WIRED’ by Basement.
Gig: The Cribs at Concorde 2.
Album: Lime Garden - Maybe Not Tonight (So Young)
You know when you hear a record that scratches an itch you didn’t know you had? I could take or leave the debut, but this follow up is a masterpiece.
Track: ‘The Radiator’ by Getdown Services.
Gig: Aldous Harding at The Barbican.
Album: Flying Lotus - BIG MAMA (Brainfeeder)
Beautifully produced EP that makes me feel like I'm inside a game of Mario Kart, in the most wonderful way. Energetic, masterfully produced, sweet synth-y chaos.
Track: ‘No Lube So Rude’ by Peaches.
Gig: Submotion Orchestra at Chalk
Album: Plantoid - Flare (Bella Union)
Their debut, ‘Terrapath’, was one of my 2024 faves and I’m thinking that this second album of off kilter, jazzy prog might be even better!
Track: ‘Chance To Bleed’ by Kurt Vile.
Gig: Jeff Tweedy at Islington Assembly Hall.
Album: ladylike - It’s a Pleasure of Mine, to Know You’re Fine (Heist or Hit)
ladylike’s shiver-inducing, post-rocky arrangements and unctuous vocal melodies put this debut EP firmly in goosebump territory.
Track: ‘If I Leave’ by Mitski.
Gig: Bleeptest at Gullivers, Manchester.
Album: Shaking Hand - Shaking Hand (Melodic)
Stunning debut that combines Women/Sonic Youth guitars with an Interpol shimmer and has the rare ability to sell a copy nearly every time we play it.
Track: ‘Cursive’ by Mandy, Indiana.
Gig: The Sick Man Of Europe at Fiddlers Elbow.
Album: Robyn - Sexistential (Young)
‘Sexistential’ is 30 minutes of heartfelt dance floor bangers, expertly mixed and blended seamlessly.
Track: ‘Butterflies’ by Fcukers.
Gig: Robyn at Hackney Empire.
Album: Tara Clerkin Trio - Somewhere Good (World Of Echo)
It’s so difficult to sound different these days, but TCT have done it. Original and unique. So, if you are looking for “Somewhere Good” then look no further.
Track: ‘Chauffeur’ by The Womack Sisters.
Gig: David Rodigan at Butlins - Bognor Regis (Southport Weekender).
Album: Thundercat - Distracted (Brainfeeder)
This year I’ve seldom had chance to listen to albums from start to finish, but this is quintessential Thundercat; all over the place fun. You can jump in anywhere and have a good time.
Track: ‘Shape of a Woman’ by Lady Gaga.
Gig: Me yelling lots, at The hospital.
Album: James Blake - Trying Times (Good Boy Records)
‘Trying Times’ feels like the perfect payoff to both the ballad and electronic elements that have shaped his last few releases. Maybe his best to date.
Track: ‘Ambroxan’ by Division Of Mind.
Gig: Nothin’ But Enemies at Woodside Halls.
Album: Fcukers. - Ö (Ninja Tune)
One frequently recurring album is ‘Ö’. It’s super catchy, but don’t be fooled by those pumping beats – at times, the lyrics can get quite emotional.
Track: ‘All Bad Parts’ by Lime Garden.
Gig: Maria Somerville + Nashpaints at Green Door Store.
Album: Aho Ssan - The Sun Turned Black (Ici D’Ailleurs / Subtext Recordings)
A laser-guided spew of explosive sounds that’ll rip your head off and soothe your neck stump in the same mind-boggling moment. Proper stuff.
Track: ‘The ACP’ by Irked.
Gig: Acid Horse at The Barge Inn, Honey Street.
Album: Dove Ellis - Blizzard (Black Butter)
When the harmonies and instruments swell it’s as disorientating as an actual blizzard, and then there are moments of pure, quiet tenderness. Love it.
Track: ‘Let’s Do It Again!’ by The Last Dinner Party.
Gig: Bar Italia at The Roundhouse, Camden.
Album: Courtney Barnett - Creature of Habit (Fiction Records)
Great new offering from Courtney Barnett. Doing what she does best - making the mundane uplifting.
Track: ‘Not In Your Mouth None Of Your Business’ by Peaches.
Gig: Peaches at Brighton Dome.
Album: France - Good Thoughts, Bad Thoughts (The state51 Conspiracy)
Endless churning noise and drone and noise and drone and noise and drone and noise and drone and noise and drone. Def in my top 5 gigs of all time.
Track: ‘Scantily Clad’ by Haute & Freddy.
Gig: Robyn at Hackney Empire.
Album: Fcukers - Ö (Ninja Tune)
Fcukers bring UK Garage basslines to the New York nightclub dancefloor. We’re very L.U.C.K.Y. to get an invite to their exclusive Anglo-American party.
Track: ‘Mantras’ by Shaking Hand.
Gig: Belle and Sebastian at The Royal Albert Hall.
Album: Greg Mendez - Beauty Land (Dead Oceans)
A perfect 26 minutes of woozy instrumentation and plaintive vocals from the Philadelphia songwriter. Timeless, oddly humorous and deftly performed.
Track: ‘I’m Signed to Lex Now I’m Up’ by Lord Jah-Monte Ogbon.
Gig: Bill Callahan at Drift Records (RIP).
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