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Every Friday, 88Nine music director Erin Wolf and Lilliput Records co-owner Tanner Musgrove tell you about the new albums you can\u2019t miss on a new episode of On Vinyl. Check out their top picks and a list of this week\u2019s other releases, and listen to their full conversation using the player on this page or on the 88Nine airwaves at 1 p.m. every Friday.<\/i><\/p>\n
This Friday, we\u2019re simply doing as one does at the end of a year of musical releases: reflect on the ones whose intrinsic shine caught our eyes and ears, and made us want to take them home with us. There was absolutely no shortage of incredible records this year, so here are our topmost four to check out if you haven\u2019t found your way to them yet.<\/p>\n
Happy New Music Friday, and we\u2019ll see you in 2026!<\/p>\n
Saya Gray, <\/b>Saya<\/u><\/i><\/b><\/a><\/p>\n Released in February, Saya Gray\u2019s new album finds the Japanese-Canadian indie artist hitting her stride, even though the album is exactly about NOT hitting your stride in relationships. The songs on this record really captivated us production-wise and lyrically, and they show how well Gray can play with the dark and light sides of the musical\/emotional coin, so to speak. This is a really unique album, though it feels like her most accessible yet. It\u2019s available on vinyl now, either on clear or plain black, via Dirty Hit Records<\/u><\/a>.<\/p>\n Wednesday, <\/b>Bleeds<\/u><\/i><\/b><\/a><\/p>\n Released in September, Bleeds <\/i>was one of the most-anticipated records of the year. Luckily, all that anticipation was worth it. This is a great record, through and through, with the band\u2019s trademark dynamic shifts and Karly Hartzman\u2019s funny and sad lyrics. Even the departure of MJ Lenderman from the live touring act didn\u2019t diminish this release in any way.<\/p>\n It\u2019s the band\u2019s sixth record, and they sound just as good as they ever have with Alex Farrar on production again. Hartzman shared that this record represents what the band was “supposed to sound like,\u201d and that feels true. There were a lot of different variants out for this one, (pink, clear black, Fanta yellow and black), but we have to say that Fanta yellow wins the prize. No matter the variety, you can find it on Dead Oceans Records<\/u><\/a>.<\/p>\n Wet Leg, <\/b>moisturizer<\/u><\/i><\/b><\/a><\/p>\n Wet Leg came out of the gates swinging with their debut album in 2022, so it\u2019s safe to say there was a lot of anticipation and high expectations for their sophomore album when it was initially announced. They did not disappoint and, to us, only cemented themselves further within the indie-rock sphere, showing that they have true staying power.<\/p>\n This album is punchier and more playful than their self-titled, and it feels like Wet Leg is truly coming into their own as a band. You can find the album available on indie-exclusive clear vinyl, along with standard black via Domino Records<\/u><\/a>.<\/p>\n