Plan Ahead - January 2026 Staff Picks to Start Your Year
What’s a better way to start the new year than with a vision board?
Well, the staff at The Music Box agrees, so here’s our January 2026 Music Board!The Strokes - Angles (2011)
Playlist Editor Phoebe Ringler - It’s my favorite album by The Strokes and it’s been on repeat so much recently. My favorite song is probably either “Two Kinds of Happiness” or “Taken for a Fool”, but it’s so hard to choose a favorite!
Kamasi Washington - Lazarus (Adult Swim Original Series Soundtrack) (2025)
Senior Writer AG Machado - I recently watched this anime over the holiday break and the soundtrack is stellar! It’s a mix of jazz with futuristic sounds. I highly recommend putting it on while working. At least listen to the opening track aptly named “Lazarus”.
““I heard it from a woman on the internet, she told me to live a life of no regret, so maybe I won’t take you on as such a threat””
Orla Garland - Woman in the Internet (2021)
Live Coverage Photographer Mari S - This album was one of my introductions to indie music, specifically indie rock. When it first came out I enjoyed it but some of the heavier songs weren’t my favorite. 4 1/2 years later, and I have a deeper appreciation for every song on this album. Specifically, “Zombie!” has been the perfect energy for getting me through my runs in the Chicago cold, the lyrics “You’re Not Special, Babe” speaks to me as an almost 24-year-old compared to 20 year old me that first discovered this album I’m also a huge fan of albums named after a lyric, so “More Like You” dropping the line “I heard it from a woman on the internet, she told me to live a life of no regret, so maybe I won’t take you on as such a threat” is a perfect way to name the album.
2026 is the year of physical media!
Outkast - Speakerboxxx/The Love Below (2003)
Music Review Editor Alyssa Bushman - Since one of my goals this year was to switch to more analog, I’ve been listening to cds in my car. This is the one I keep reaching for the most. I’ve been on an early 2000’s kick recently and this has my favorite style of hip hop production.
Los Campesinos! - No Blues (2013)
Staff Photographer Rebecca Olewine - An often overlooked album in the band’s discography, it has gotten me through many sleepless nights this past month. Full of lyrics about heartbreak (both personal and romantic), but also about getting back up when you’re kicked down, it’s blunt acknowledgement of the good with the bad is oddly really comforting.
Chinese American Bear - “No No Yeah Yeah (不不好啊好啊)” (2026)
Senior Writer Megan Lorich - Chinese American Bear's first single of 2026 is the toe-tapping "No No Yeah Yeah." Featuring both of its titular words repeated about a million times, this new track feels like a spiritual successor to the Ting Tings. Leaning more in an electronic direction than the English pop duo, this indie rock track stays in typical Chinese American Bear fashion, blending in Mandarin lyrics as well. A fun bop to kick off both the Western new year and Lunar New Year next month!
ABBA - Voulez-Vous (1979)
Live Coverage Editor Kaitlyn Serafin - Since the New Year, I’ve been desperately looking for media that feels light in such dark times. Combine that with having a goal to use my physical media more often, and this album has not left my record shelf all month. Seriously, if you feel like the world is crashing around you, give this album a spin.
Harry Styles - “Aperture” (2026)
Staff Photographer Beth Evans - I chose this song because it’s different to Harry’s normal genres/style of musc . I love that he’s adventuring out of his usual style.
Del Water Gap - Chasing The Chimera (2025)
Staff Photographer Amanda Drobnak - I picked Chasing The Chimera because it feels like the right album for the start of a new year. It’s calm, emotional, and thoughtful without being too heavy. Del Water Gap captures feelings like uncertainty and growth in a really honest way, and the album feels comforting while still making you think. It’s the kind of music that fits perfectly with slowing down, reflecting, and easing into a fresh start.
Favorite Song: “Please Follow”
Jeff Buckley - Grace (1994)
Senior Photographer Katherine - This is my pick this month because Jeff’s songwriting and storytelling is so beautiful and I feel that this album covers many different types of emotions that can be related to.
Taylor Swift - "evermore (2020)
Live Coverage Editor Rebecca Ackerman - I find myself going back to evermore every winter. If I'm being honest, this is probably because I go back to the house I grew up in for the holidays and play "'tis the damn season" on repeat, and then it stays with me through January. The songs on this album radiate comfort and warmth to me during a time when the bitter cold hits the Midwest.
