New Music Monday: Five tracks to Survive the Deep Freeze

New music from Block, Papa Roach, Beck, Emm Gryner, and The Black Crowes

After enduring the coldest weekend of the season so far, where the mercury plummeted and the wind chill turned every commute into an expedition, this week’s New Music Monday arrives as a thermal relief. As the low temps begin to retreat, these five tracks serve as the perfect transition from the mid-winter deep freeze to a much-needed thaw.

Block – “I Thought I Won the War”

Jamie Block, performing under the moniker Block, delivers a hauntingly resonant slice of folk-inflected rock with his latest single, “I Thought I Won the War.” Released through Meridian/ECR Music Group, the track is a masterclass in understated intensity, featuring crisp acoustic layers and a vocal performance that feels both weary and defiant. Produced by Chris Kuffner, the song explores the complex aftermath of personal conflict, making it a perfect companion for those quiet, reflective mornings when the sun is just starting to hit the snow. It’s a sophisticated return for an artist who knows exactly how to turn internal struggle into an external melody.

Papa Roach – “Wake Up Calling”

Following a massive 2025, Papa Roach kicks off their 2026 campaign with “Wake Up Calling,” a track they are calling one of their most vulnerable to date. Stripping back some of their signature nu-metal aggression in favor of a melodic, emotionally raw alternative sound, the song deals with the precariousness of self-destruction and the strength found in choosing a different path. Frontman Jacoby Shaddix’s vocal delivery ranges from a plaintive croon to a powerful, desperate surge, creating a sense of urgency that hits like a shot of adrenaline. It is a soaring reminder that even when standing on the edge of disaster, there is a way back.

Beck – “Everybody’s Got to Learn Sometime”

Beck has revisited his iconic 2004 cover of The Korgis’ “Everybody’s Got to Learn Sometime” as the centerpiece of a new Valentine’s Day collection of rarities. While fans originally fell in love with this version on the Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind soundtrack, its inclusion in this new 2026 compilation brings its timeless, psychedelic melancholy back to the forefront. The track’s ethereal synthesizers and Beck’s hushed, intimate delivery provide a warm, organic texture that feels like a velvet blanket against the winter air. It remains a definitive statement on the inevitable lessons of the heart, delivered with the restraint of a true veteran.

Emm Gryner – “Touch the Sky”

Canadian singer-songwriter Emm Gryner takes us to the stars with “Touch the Sky,” a triumphant new single celebrating astronaut Jeremy Hansen and the upcoming Artemis II mission. More than just a soaring pop anthem, the track carries a philanthropic heart, with proceeds benefiting the Bluewater Health Foundation. With its driving rhythm and Gryner’s pristine, uplifting vocals, the song captures the “sense of courage and connection” required to journey beyond our atmosphere. It’s an aspirational, bright-eyed piece of music that encourages listeners to look up and find inspiration in the vastness above, even when the ground below is still frozen solid.

The Black Crowes – “It’s Like That”

Closing out our list are the legendary Black Crowes with “It’s Like That,” the latest single from their upcoming album A Pound of Feathers. Following their 2025 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame nomination, the Robinson brothers sound more energized than ever, delivering a track that is “jagged, hard-hitting,” and steeped in classic rock grit. Recorded in Nashville with producer Jay Joyce, the song marries the swagger of their early 90s heyday with a modern, spontaneous fire. It is a high-octane, blues-drenched stomp that is guaranteed to warm up your speakers and remind you why the Crowes remain the undisputed kings of the American rock-and-roll revival.

Whether you are seeking the introspective comfort of a folk ballad or the high-voltage heat of a rock anthem, these new releases provide a much-needed signal fire in the wake of the winter’s harshest chill. As the days slowly lengthen and the ice begins to crack, let these songs be the soundtrack to your transition into the light.

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