Weekly Round-Up 39
February 9 - February 15
What yall been listening to?
Artist: Nija
Album: What I Didn't Say
Year Released: 2026
Rating (Out of 5 Stars): 4.2
Best Song On First Listen: Things We Do
Travie Says: Prolific songwriter Nija has written many great songs for multiple megastars, including Ariana Grande, Chloe x Halle, Cardi B, QUEEN B, and more. On her sophomore album, Nija pushes her pen to deliver quality R&B gold once again. You’ll definitely want to pay attention to the sexy “Things I Do” and the Blxst collaboration “I Just Called” as the absolute standouts from What I Didn’t Say.
Artist: Saosin
Album: Translating the Name
Year Released: 2003
Rating (Out of 5 Stars): 4.3
Best Song On First Listen: They Perched on Their Stilts, Pointing and Daring Me to Break Custom
Travie Says: My friend Ryan was going through a re-ignited Saosin phase last week, and invited me and the rest of the Midnight Marauders to join in. I’d not listened to these California rockers before, but Translating the Name put me right back in my mid-2000s emo era. If you need a little screamo in your day, I definitely recommend this.
Artist: Knxwledge
Album: Hud Dreems
Year Released: 2015
Rating (Out of 5 Stars): 4
Best Song On First Listen: tkekareofit
Travie Says: Ryan strikes again. He also recommended Hud Dreems in the Midnight Marauders chat and called it “a smooth ride.” New Jersey producer Knxwledge definitely creates just that on this album. It’s a vibey collection of songs that feels like its own little world.
Artist: Blusher
Album: rager
Year Released: 2026
Rating (Out of 5 Stars): 4.6
Best Song On First Listen: rager
Travie Says: Australian trio Blusher’s rager is a double-disc album. On disc one, each member does their own take of each song on disc two. Disc one definitely veers more hyperpop/electronica, and disc two feels more pop-py and made for mainstream appeal. Which disc between the two has your favorite sound?
Artist: Charli xcx
Album: Wuthering Heights
Year Released: 2026
Rating (Out of 5 Stars): 4.2
Best Song On First Listen: Seeing Things
Travie Says: Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi star in Emerald Fennel’s movie adaptation of Emily Brontë’s novel, Wuthering Heights. The brat herself Charli xcx recorded a full album to accompany the film, the shiniest songs to me on the first go round were “Seeing Things,” “Dying for You,” and “My Reminder.” Will this capture the zeitgeist like Charli’s most recent album? Let’s hope. I think we would all benefit from more Charli xcx in our lives. Also, will one of these songs put Charli in the running for a Best Original Song Oscar nomination next year??
Artist: Sarah Kinsley
Album: Fleeting
Year Released: 2026
Rating (Out of 5 Stars): 4.5
Best Song On First Listen: Truth of Pursuit
Travie Says: Sarah Kinsley will be one artist that you will want to pay attention to in the years to come. Her short and sweet EP Fleeting definitely makes a lasting impression. She studied music theory at Columbia University and was an opening act for Mitski on tour, so she is building the foundation for a fruitful music career. “Truth of Pursuit” was my favorite song on first listen, but I have a feeling you might enjoy everything Sarah offers on Fleeting.
Artist: Brent Faiyaz
Album: Icon
Year Released: 2026
Rating (Out of 5 Stars): 4.8
Best Song On First Listen: other side.
Travie Says: Maryland’s own Brent Faiyaz is back with his 3rd studio album, Icon. Emotional honesty and a voice smoother than silk is what makes Icon great. The album begins beautifully with a string-heavy instrumental, “white noise.” Brent draws inspiration from the 80s and taps into his inner-Michael Jackson on the album’s highlight, “other side.” Other songs with great replay value include, “butterflies.” “world is yours.” and “four seasons.”
