2026
I still can't believe it! I’ve embarked on this adventure all over again! And that’s despite the fact that I put the odds of not even being able to give notice of an early tournament shutdown at fifty-fifty!))
Be that as it may, the first round—the most technically challenging one—is already behind us. It wrapped up back on October 1st. But it took me another couple of days just to remember the formatting process and finally publish the results.
I had planned to introduce some rule changes this year. But that would have complicated the scoring for me—something the current unstable state of the world simply doesn't allow for. So, all I can do is hope the stars align and let me run the tournament at least along the same lines as last year. After all, there are times right now when I’m practically navigating with my eyes closed!))
Just as I did last year, I will aim to share my thoughts on the round winners and explain my own entries in each category following each draw.
There is a bit of time before the next round concludes on October 15. Everyone is free to review the entries submitted prior to the first draw. I will also announce the entries submitted for the second round at a later date.
Music Videos: Guide (A-Z)
1. Boards Of Canada - Introit / Prophecy At 1420 MHz (7/V) Ambient
2. Charlotte Cornfield - Hurts Like Hell (13/I) Indie Folk
3. Genesis Owusu - Stampede (19/II) Electropunk
4. Gorillaz - The Hardest Thing / Orange County (ft. Tony Allen, …) (15/I) Art Pop
5. Johnny Blue Skies & the Dark Clouds - Don’t Let Go (12/IX) Funk Rock
6. Modern Cult - Connection (18/IX) Indie Rock
7. Paul McCartney - Days We Left Behind (Live) (17/V) Pop Rock
8. Squarepusher - K2 Central (25/II) Jazz Fusion
9. Star Moles - Time (22/II) Indie Folk
10. Starbenders - The Beast Goes On (27/II) Glam Rock
11. The Rolling Stones - In The Stars (14/V) Classic Rock
12. The Twilight Sad - Designed to Lose (7/I) Indie Rock
13. Tom Waits & Massive Attack - Boots on the Ground (16/IV) Trip-Hop
14. Tomora - Come Closer (5/II) Art Pop
15. Voxtrot - My Peace (3/II) Indie Pop
Tracks: Guide (A-Z)
1. Angine de Poitrine - Fabienk (6/II) Math Rock
2. Boards Of Canada - Prophecy at 1420 MHz (7/V) Ambient
3. Devlin and The Harm - No Havana (18/III) Indie Rock
4. Genesis Owusu - Stampede (19/II) Electropunk
5. Gorillaz - Orange County (ft. Bizarrap, …) (15/I) Art Pop
6. Johnny Blue Skies & the Dark Clouds - Don’t Let Go (13/III) Funk Rock
7. MPTL Microplastics - Sod In Heaven (6/II) Noise-Folk
8. Ms Ray - You're Here (13/III) Sophisti-Pop
9. Paul McCartney - Days We Left Behind (26/III) Pop Rock
10. Starbenders - Summon My Heart (10/II) Glam Rock
11. The Rolling Stones - In The Stars (5/V) Classic Rock
12. The Twilight Sad - Designed to Lose (6/I) Indie Rock
13. Tom Waits & Massive Attack - Boots on the Ground (16/IV) Trip-Hop
14. Tomora - Come Closer (5/II) Art Pop
15. Кассета Юность [Kasseta Yunost] - Дыдыдым (18/IX) Indie Pop
Albums: Guide (A-Z)
1. Angine de Poitrine - Vol.II (3/IV) Math Rock
2. Boards Of Canada - Inferno (29/V) Ambient
3. Genesis Owusu - Redstar Wu & the Worldwide Scourge (15/V) Electropunk
4. Gorillaz - The Mountain (27/II) Art Pop
5. MPTL Microplastics - Sod In Heaven (6/II) Noise-Folk
6. My New Band Believe - My New Band Believe (10/IV) Progressive Folk
7. Neurosis - An Undying Love for a Burning World (20/III) Post-Metal
8. Paul McCartney - The Boys Of Dungeon Lane (29/V) Pop Rock
9. Protomartyr - Hotel Usona (25/IX) Post-Punk
10. Star Moles - Highway to Hell (26/II) Indie Folk
11. Starbenders - The Beast Goes On (27/II) Glam Rock
12. The Exbats - My Dinner With Crumar (11/IX) Garage Pop
13. The Rolling Stones - Foreign Tongues (10/VII) Classic Rock
14. Tomora - Come Closer (17/IV) Art Pop
15. Twisted Teens - Blame The Clown (13/II) Garage Rock
My thoughts on the winners in the three categories of Round #9—the first in the sequence, yet numbered nine. I already explained the reasons for this confusion last year.
Album Gorillaz - The Mountain (27/II-2026/09) (Album)
The Mountain (2026) by Gorillaz
Tournament ranking – #1, (rewards: a star and the right to an additional entry in a category).
Number of points – «+30».
lead over the nearest pursuer in points – 5.
A spot on my list – #10, points – «+1».
Position on the list AOTY - #35.
Position on the list BEA - #1.
In my view, the album doesn't particularly stand out from the rest, yet the five-point lead over the nearest runner-up is quite significant.
To me, this success is explained by the fact that the winners garnered support from almost every participant; the band is well-known to everyone and appears on many lists. That is how brand recognition works—it is precisely why advertising exists.
Issues may arise once more than five slots on the participants' lists are filled; at that point, the lowest-ranked entries will start deducting points rather than adding them.
It is possible that my personal rating is a bit low. Primarily because I find it hard to believe I might have missed something. At the same time, I may not have even listened to the album all the way through to the very last second. In essence, the release consists of two lead singles positioned at the beginning of a rather long 15-track list.
It was only thanks to the comments on BEA that I took an interest in the story behind the album's creation. However, not knowing English, I couldn't really connect with the emotions involved. Besides, I have no reason to consider myself an ardent admirer of Albarn. Nor was I a fan of Blur; only a handful of their songs had ever caught my attention. Admittedly, I was even more indifferent toward their counterparts, Oasis—whose songs never moved me at all.
It is quite possible that the album will remain in first place throughout the entire tournament. I see no issue with that, as a release winning in a category earns the team an extra bet only once. What’s far more interesting is how the team will use this additional entry—and whether it might spoil their winning track record in the battle for team super-entries!))
Tournament ranking – #1, (rewards: a star (☆) and the right to an additional entry in a category; a team star (★) and the right to a "super entry" in any category).
Number of points – «+36».
lead over the nearest pursuer in points – 4.
A spot on my list – #5, points – «+6».
Position on the list AOTY - #---.
Position on the list BEA - #---.
The time came for me to use the translation to assess the content. I must admit, it was a revelation; the parallels extended to the very finest details. Consequently, I had to put aside the fascinating stories I had previously intended to write about until a more suitable time, for there is nothing more pressing than matters of life and death.
Because Albarn and I are only a year apart in age, we lost the people closest to us at roughly the same time.
Unfortunately, the reputation associated with the cartoonish personas the group had adopted played a cruel trick on the creator this time. After all, artificial characters cannot experience genuine grief over the departed—being neither flesh nor blood, they are shielded from all of that by their immortality.
Then, as often happens to me, mystical coincidences began to occur.
When I first heard the song, I immediately noticed that the melody sounded very familiar. I even had a rough idea of where I might have heard it before. However, so many changes had taken place in my life over the last two or three years that the thought of actually tracking it down never even crossed my mind.
Of course, prior to writing this mini-review, I had made a concerted effort to find the similar release. Yet, once again, I came up empty-handed. It was driving me crazy, but there was nothing I could do about it.
And then today—after having already familiarized myself with the song's content and practically finished the review—I suddenly found myself pondering one final question.
Gorillaz - Orange County - What is the meaning behind the song's title?
Quote:
Literal origin of the title
• Recording location: The track was named after the studio in Anaheim (Orange County, California) where the recording sessions took place. Mexican rapper Peso Pluma was originally slated to feature on the track; although the collaboration ultimately did not happen, the recording location itself left its mark on the title.
Everything instantly fell into place in my mind, finally revealing the very password that granted me access to my own archived records—Peso Pluma.
I really liked that video back then, and I definitely intended to nominate it when the results were tallied at the end of 2023. It was precisely in the year-end lists that I conducted my main searches, but the stars willed that my choice for June be different, and all trace of that release was ultimately lost to me.
Quote:
Artistic and thematic significance
• Contrast between form and content (the ultimate "happy-sad" song): The song sounds light, danceable, and sunny—aided by a brisk beat, whistling, and Anoushka Shankar’s sitar—yet the lyrics and the album’s overall context are steeped in profound grief, loss, and reflections on death. The image of an affluent, sun-drenched California county serves as a façade—a bright exterior masking deep emotional turmoil.
Yet another coincidence! The Russian-language song I submitted for this round might fit this description perfectly. Its melody didn't particularly stand out among the songs of September, but the contrast between form and content literally moved me to tears. But that review is still to come.
Tournament ranking – #1, (rewards: a star (☆) and the right to an additional entry in a category)
Number of points – «+35»
lead over the nearest pursuer in points – 2
A spot on my list – #2, points – «+9» (awards from me – Release of the Week 2026/08)
Position on the list AOTY - #377 (Single)
Position on the list BEA - #--- (Track)
I watch dozens of new videos every day. From the very first seconds, it was clear that this clip was a contender for the title of "Best Release of the Week"—an honor I ultimately awarded it.
The only thing that kept me from giving it a perfect score in the previous round was that I awarded first place to my own pick; that track felt fresher and was nearly its equal in terms of melody. That said, few videos this year can match this one for energy and expressiveness.
As for the artist, I recognize the cover art from his 2021 album, but I don't recall any of his previous releases catching my eye—though I could be mistaken.
A more in-depth discussion about the album and the track itself will likely happen down the line. After all, right now, this artist is a major rival whose releases could challenge Gorillaz in every category, including the race for the top team awards.
But, looking ahead a little, I cannot help but note that the success of this particular video clip contributed significantly to the achievements of the album as a whole, in my view.
Tournament ranking – #7
Number of points – «+17»
lead over the nearest pursuer in points – 1
A spot on my list – #1, points – «+10» (awards from me – Release of the Week 2026/37)
Position on the list AOTY - #NR
Position on the list BEA - #608
In the discussion thread on BEA, I already called this release the "album of the week," but that isn't quite the same thing as "release of the week" in my book.
As I see it, the "Release of the Week" is chosen from three categories: albums, tracks, and music videos. Since I really wanted to stop spending all my time hunting for new music this year, most of the year remains a collection of random notes just waiting to be ranked—something that might well never happen.
However, with certain standout releases, I take the liberty of bestowing that status upon them in advance. This happens particularly rarely with entire albums.
The fact that the album has already been presented at BEA—and even sparked some discussion— makes my task of covering it significantly easier.
I would just like to highlight a few points. Not only was the album ignored by the forums I frequent, but—once again—it failed to garner reviews from music publications on aggregators like AOTY.
It seems they have indeed moved away from their previous label support. Now, they are producing individual copies of the album on cassette and CD themselves. Additionally, they commissioned a run of 300 numbered, autographed vinyl copies for collectors.
The band's music videos are notable for their simplicity—even by low-budget standards. This is something I fully support, as YouTube offers such bands their only real chance to announce the release of a new album. A modest video is far better than no video at all.
In the Bandcamp liner notes, the band recounts how a Crumar Orchestrator—an Italian string synthesizer from the mid-seventies that inspired the new album's title and cover art—came into their lives by chance. I have no doubt that this chance acquisition is precisely what helped me discover so much to enjoy in this release.
The Exbats - Nobody Told Me I Was Dead (3/X-2026/40) (Video)
Tournament ranking – #5
Number of points – «+18»
lead over the nearest pursuer in points – 3
A spot on my list – #1, points – «+10»
Position on the list AOTY - unknown
Position on the list BEA – unknown
According to the Internet, this is a one-man band project by Roman Zolototrubov from Voronezh (though the surname is likely a stage name).
It isn't my habit to delve into an artist's discography without a compelling reason. However, it is known that the 2026 album featuring this track is not the artist's first release.
What matters to me is that this song is essentially the only one on the album that caught my interest. It wasn't released as a single and appears at the very end of the record. Add to that the fact that few people—even within Russia—know the musician, and the odds of me ever discovering this song were virtually zero. Which means this encounter was no coincidence. That’s just the sort of mystical reasoning I tend to have!))
The song is built around a rhythm—the kind one might vocalize while dancing (a waltz, for instance) in the absence of full musical accompaniment. I’m not sure what the convention is in English-speaking countries, but in Russia, people typically use repetitive syllables like "ta-ta-tam" or "dy-dy-dyn."
Since the Russian word - дым [dym] (smoke) fits the required sound perfectly, the musician cleverly capitalized on that.
I had actually teased this mini-review previously when discussing a track by the band Gorillaz.
So, I’ll simply reiterate that I was deeply struck by the contrast between the song's melancholy content and its upbeat dance rhythm.
Радует день всех рождённых людей
Снегом, нападавшим выше крыш
Солнцем, блистающим огнедышащим
И шевелящим всю эту жизнь
Что это, слышу там звуки вдали
Что это там, слышу я запахи
Это ды-ды-ды-дым ды-ды-дым, это там дым дым
Это дым костров и ещё а-а-ахи
Дым от костров матерей, отцов
Молодых, красивых, счастливых
В мир катастроф вдруг попавших
Мы теперь за них, мы теперь за них
Наумирались, наплакались,
Натерпелись, напакостились
Тройка куда принесла?
Стойка, сколько же делов ты наделала.
Иль наломали, иль наломали, ой да не мало дров
Вспыхнул и пошёл ды-ды-ды-дым от костров
Дым ды-ды-дым ды-ды-дым дым динь-динь
Радует, радует всех людей
Дым от костров матерей, отцов
Молодых, красивых, счастливых
В мир катастроф вдруг попавших
Мы теперь за них, мы теперь за них, за них
-----------------------------------------------------------------
The day brings joy to everyone born
With snow piled high above the rooftops,
With the sun—blazing, fire-breathing—
Stirring all this life into motion.
What is that? I hear sounds in the distance...
What is that? I catch the scent of...
It’s a rhythmic *dy-dy-dym*, it’s smoke rising there—
Smoke from bonfires, and the sounds of deep emotion.
Smoke from the fires of mothers and fathers—
Young, beautiful, and happy—
Suddenly thrust into a world of catastrophe;
Now we stand for them, now we stand for them.
We’ve had our fill of dying, of weeping,
Of suffering, of wreaking havoc...
Where did the three-horse team bring us?
Oh, what a mess we’ve made—
We’ve certainly piled up a mountain of trouble—
And the smoke from the fires flares up and rolls out.
Smoke... *dy-dy-dym*... smoke... *ding-ding*...
It brings joy, joy to everyone.
Smoke from the fires of mothers and fathers—
Young, beautiful, and happy—
Suddenly thrust into a world of catastrophe;
Now we stand for them, now we stand for them—for them.
Tournament ranking – #3
Number of points – «+18»
lead over the nearest pursuer in points – 2
A spot on my list – #1, points – «+10» (awards from me – Release of the Week 2026/38)
Position on the list AOTY - unknown
Position on the list BEA - unknown
This video reminds me of the submission I made last year for the round covering September 2025.
It features a band that is likewise unfamiliar to me but has been actively releasing singles throughout the year—with "Connection" being far from the first. Yet, so far, this is the only song that has actually caught my interest.
Unfortunately, not even the year of the planned release—most likely a debut album—is known. This is odd, especially given the difficulties in accessing the video from within Russia. While the exact reason is unclear, such issues often stem from artists working with major labels that aim to announce album releases as early as possible.
In any case, I didn't have a wide range of options among the September videos. That said, this one is certainly strong enough to qualify as a "Release of the Week" contender, given how melodic the song turned out to be.
Below are new applications for the current round, which ends on October 15. October 13 is the last day to make changes to the current round's charts.
Music Videos: Guide (A-Z) (NEW)
1. Flea - Traffic Lights (ft. Thom Yorke) (14/I) Avant-Jazz
2. Iceage - Star (11/III) Post-Punk
3. lùisa - Call Me The Witch (30/I) Indie Pop
4. Rachel Croft - Bittersweet (8/VI) Indie Rock
Tracks: Guide (A-Z) (NEW)
1. Gezebelle Gaburgably - Ode to a Peppercorn (5/VI) Noise Pop
2. Meg Mac - Outdone (13/I) Indie Pop
3. Slayyyter - Dance... (Edit) (16/I) Electropop
4. twisted teens - stalks (7/X) Garage Rock
5. Underscores - The Peace (20/III) Electropop
Albums: Guide (A-Z) (NEW)
1. Devlin and The Harm - Devlin and The Harm (22/V) Indie Rock
2. Gezebelle Gaburgably - The Freezer (5/VI) Noise Pop
3. Underscores - U (20/III) Electropop
4. Аквариум [Akvarium] - Странные Новости с Далёкой Звезды (15/I) Art Rock
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