Welcome to AP A-sides, where we’re highlighting the very best songs from the past week. Every Friday, the AP editors will wade through the daunting number of tracks released daily, narrow down their favorites, and give them to you in one playlist. Because the definition of alternative is constantly in flux, there are no rigid parameters to our selections — just tracks we’re obsessively talking about and listening to on repeat. This week’s playlist features artists diverse in genre but singular in sound, including Draag, Victoryland, smush, 2070, YHWH Nailgun’s Maria Somerville remix, and more.
Read more: 26 of the most exciting rising artists to watch in 2026
Check out our picks below, and stay informed about everything coming out in January with our monthly album release calendar.
AP A-sides – January 23, 2026
- Draag – “Hide Me”
- Lime Garden – “23”
- Maria Somerville – “Violet” (YHWH Nailgun Remix)
- Not For Radio – “Puddles” (Zero 7 Remix)
- Perfect Person – “Just Want” (feat. Sophia Stel)
- The S.E.T. – “T.M.T.”
- The Scythe – “LIT EFFECT”
- smush – “don’t know why” (Norah Jones cover)
- Victoryland – “I got god”
- 2070 – “Windowpane”