Kind of hilarious that last time I wrote here I opened with, “Oh we got over a foot of snow and it’s still here, writing feels like trudging through snow! ⛄️” Because here we are again. Last week an all day Nor’easter, whiteout blizzard left triple the snow and kept us snowbound for four days.
On day 3, I finally ventured out for a walk, and passed a neighbor on the sidewalk who sort of embodied a Ben Affleck smoking meme and greeted me with “ugh this f*kin sucks!” On day 4, we strapped on snow boots and went on a walking expedition to a local coffee shop and Walmart. I am still sore from shoveling, sitting at my desk, and cumulative stress. Also I flossed too hard and knocked out a filling.
February was a lot! This is not a poetic post!
I’m still working out how to rename and shift direction on my Substack, but hey, at least this music series I promised you gives me a monthly writing appointment!
Welcome to the February 2026 edition of Listening Notes: 4ish new or new to me albums1 that I enjoyed enough to listen to more than once, plus a couple of bonus thoughts about music-themed cultural events from February. Let’s get to it.
John Van Deusen - As Long As I Am in the Tent of This Body I Will Make a Joyful Noise Pt. 1
Sounds Like: Indie rock devotions and psalms for sad artsy bois (this is a compliment)
First Impressions: Sometimes, in the depths of winter blues and a cynical grumpiness I am not proud of, I think I’m done with listening to any album labeled as “worship music.” Then the exceptions come along, and I am reminded of the wild creativity happening on the genre’s edges.
I’m already breaking the rule of Listening Notes because I think I’ve only gotten through this 18 track journey once front to back, but it’s too dense, strange, and lovingly crafted to not get a mention. It feels like a cross between John Mark McMillan’s most freewheeling mystic rock and Jon Guerras’ most tender, intricate compositions. The liner notes on Bandcamp say this record was made out of intense devotion and deep depression, and I believe it. An intense listen I want to dig into some more.
Discovery Source: I’d heard a lot of buzz, but Chris Wheeler’s personal album of the year endorsement nudged me to finally put in the time and listen!
Colony House - 77 Part 1 and 2
Sounds Like: Windows down, radio loud, singing along with someone you love because life is hard and also a miracle
First Impressions: Colony House is an absolute delight. Sunny rock and roll that holds the beautiful tension between youthful joy and a grown up world weariness. I somehow missed part 1 last year, but corrected that oversight when part 2 came out. No extensive notes here. Just fun, uplifting rock songs about getting older and holding life close.
Discovery Source: Followed them since their debut, including some previous projects by the Chapman bros.
The Lone Bellow - What a Time to Be Alive
Sounds Like: Easy listening, folksy Nashville alt-country from another time in sparkly cowboy boots
First Impressions: Listening to The Lone Bellow always feels little like stepping into another era. They thrive in lush harmonies and twangy instrumentation, and their emotional chorus builds feel like levitating. The new record has an easy listening familiarity, and maybe that’s why it took me a minute to warm up to it. But on repeat listens I think I hear something different I can’t quite put my finger on, maybe a little more of a retro country sound. Anyway, love them, always worth a listen, and absolutely worth a live show if they come your way.
Discovery Source: Another artist I’ve followed forever! This was not a month for trying new things and that’s okay.
U2 - Days of Ash EP
Sounds Like: U2 tapping back into their classic punk rock political roots
First Impressions: Well, I didn’t have a U2 goes old-school EP on my 2026 bingo card, but I’m not mad about it. I put it on my headphones at work and felt the catharsis in “American Obituary” and “The Tears of Things.” It’s earnest and urgent and I’ve always loved that about them. Supplement with this episode of The Subtext podcast exploring the question “When Did U2 Get So Political?” (Spoiler: the answer is 1980)
Discovery Source: “U2 dropping a new EP called “Days of Ash” on Ash Wednesday?! Let’s gooooo.” — Chris Yokel , texting me at work to share the good news
Side Notes
THE BENITO BOWL!
It is a known truth in our family that Jen doesn’t care about the Big Game, the NFL, or the commercials. And yet, Jen does love buffalo chicken dip and the halftime show. Doesn’t matter who it is, she will look it up on YouTube on Monday morning and fall into a hole rewatching her favorites.
This year, we already had the antenna hooked up for the Winter Olympics,2 so we turned on the broadcast to catch the Bad Bunny show people were pre-fighting about and… y’all. For a week straight, I couldn’t think about this without tearing up, imaging the families who might have been watching, scared to leave their homes because of ICE raids, and for 13 minutes feeling celebrated. If you missed it, give in to the joy.
CHARLI XCX GOING HARDER THAN SHE HAD TO FOR A MOVIE SOUNDTRACK!
Actually watching Wuthering Heights is not my personal journey, but I like pop music and Charli xcx is interesting! So I listened to Switched on Pop’s deep dive of the soundtrack3 then gave it a shot. Only one casual listen, so it didn’t make the Listening Notes cut, but “House” is the precise goth energy I associate with the book. I am also a sucker for the lush, dramatic (but also creepy) 80s vibes in “Chains of Love.” Stay weird, Charli!
The album theme this month appears to be faith adjacent rock from old faves.
Rabbit ears for broadcast, streamer hopping for everything else. It’s the elder millennial way. ✌🏼
Side note: I was NOT PREPARED to learn which iconic 90s pop song was also inspired by this book.
I had no idea about Celine's song but reading the lyrics HOLY MOLY IT MAKES SO MUCH SENSE!
I am a deep fan of John VanDeusen, and consider his song, Every Power Wide Awake, the greatest worship song in the history of the universe. Or close.
Now that i trust your ear, i will give other of your selections a whirl. Now im running to hear new/old U2.
Ps. I was just reminded of a joke.
Bono and the Edge walk into a bar. Bartender says "Not you two again."