Genesis Owusu - Redstar Wu & The Worldwide Scourge
Flea - Honora
James Blake - Trying Times
Wakai - Brief Laughs
Kurt Vile - Philadelphia's been good to me
First off, Genesis Owusu is my new favorite artist. I came across this album the day after it dropped in May and it has been on repeat ever since. It’s a perfect blend of punk, funk, rock, hiphop, reggae, house, even folk at times, and in the same breath it is entirely original. I have never discovered an album in real time that was so relevant to me, to us, to everyone. And at the same time, timeless. In a way, I have no interest in hearing the music that came before it, but I will binge everything that comes after. I am here for Redstar Wu.
Flea’s long anticipated album Honora came at the right time in my life. I had just finished listening to his book Acid For the Children and was hooked on the early singles featuring a Frank Ocean cover and the 8-minute original titled “A Plea.” When I think about my life in music, Flea is everpresent. I used to jam to my bass buddy Andy slapping “Naked in the Rain,” my oldest brother Dan had Californication in constant rotation, and my first reaction to moving cross-country to California at 22 was “Damn, they play the Chili Peps everywhere around here.” I was lucky enough to see Flea in public a few times while living in LA, chill as ever, possibly daydreaming about the day this album would be real. I’m emotional imagining listening to it again. Flea has that effect on me.
The intro to James Blake’s Trying Times was inspired by the Lil Yachty meme of him walking out to a sold out crowd. It is aptly titled “Walk Out Music.” This album is my favorite of James Blake’s since the 2019 standout Assume Form, and for me, Trying Times is a back-to-formula type release. It goes back and forth throughout his influences, in some songs sounding like Aphex Twin, and others, like The Beatles. My favorite song is “Make Something Up,” and it has since inspired me to do so.
Next up is one of the biggest surprises of 2026 so far, with Brief Laughs from Wakai and producer Luke MaxKenzie. Before the 2026 collab, I was not aware of either of them, but I love this pairing matched with clearc cut influences like Kendrick Lamar, Madlib, and The Alchemist. I have a feeling I will be clocking Luke MacKenzie’s name more frequently, and will stick around for whatever comes next for Wakai. This album also showcases my favorite album art of the year (not sure it will be topped).
To round out my favorites so far, I want to talk about Kurt Vile. His presence throughout my adult life has been indiscernible from the various places I’ve called home. I was aware of some of his early albums while in college, but became obsessed after hearing “Pretty Pimpin” on b'lieve i'm goin down… during my early days in Los Angeles. I was even called to work on the music video in September of 2015 which became the Highland Park homage directed by Daniel Henry. Sadly, I had a prior work obligation working at the Hollywood Palladium and was unable to participate in the historic taping. But alas, I remember playing the burned copy of the album in my first apartment with Sunny, the Courtney Barnett collab and Bottle It In on deck. When I left LA, so did he, and I found myself reconnecting to his work after relocating to the midwest. The song “Classic Love” now ringing in my ears. His new album, Philadelphia’s been good to me is no different in my listening, reflecting on where he’s been, where he’s going, and the love he has for his family who is eternally connected to his legacy. I hear these tracks on the eve of the birth of my son, starting my own family, while living in a new home and reflecting on the years that brought me here. I don’t know if this has always been true, but now, Kurt’s songwriting often brings me to tears. And for that, among other things, I thank him.
*This list of favorite albums of the year at the halfway point is coming about 7 weeks later than intended. With the birth of my son, I did not care to write about the past. But after a break, I carved out a little time to reflect on what music I enjoyed in the year of his birth. I’m excited to see what sticks around and what new music gets me by this year’s end.
-Brian