Whether I was strutting to A.G. Cook, or crying over Alice Costelloe, the music throughout February had me covered for every mood that came my way. Last month’s post saw me focus on My 2026 Mix playlist, and while that will stay a part of the monthly music update, I also want to shout about the various formats of music I consume over the month. Be that cover sessions on YouTube, movie soundtracks and certain award ceremonies. Just general moments of the month of suppose.

Let’s start with The Moment shall we? This mockumentary style film uses Charli xcx’s brat phenomenon to deliver a brutal, yet funny take on the music industry. As a whole it is a little silly but not without some heartfelt moments. The film opens with an appropriately aggressive series of flashing images, played against the 365 remix featuring shygirl. To be honest, this was my favourite bit and I definitely wanted more scenes like this. Then I guess in that case I might as well just go to a Charli xcx show instead. I have sat with the movie a little more and actually love the deadpan pace in between the action. It was emotional, especially that voice note, which anyone, popstar or not, may find themselves relating to in some way. It closes with clips of Charli performing a very showgirl-esque live show. A direct contrast to the “true” essence of brat as highlighted in the film’s intro. Make of that what you will. Maybe it is a nod to a certain other popstar, or maybe it is simply showing a different view of brat as per the themes of the film. Either way, this one was a bit of a grower for me, but I’ll tell you now, I am still not bored of starting each incline walk at the gym with A.G Cook’s ‘Residue’.

On to albums and the one that stuck with me most was Alice Costelloe’s Move On With The Year. With natural, earthy tones and ethereal energy it feels like a delicate haze of indie folk laced with fun pop beats heard in single ‘How Can I’. Although that is barely touching the surface on this beautifully complex album. It goes from drawing images of warmth, to chilling your bones all in one breath, plunging you into deep trenches of emotions as Costelloe recalls memories of her childhood. I am particularly drawn to the perspective of a challenging traditional norms, considering oneself as more than simply a wife or a mother no matter which path is chosen. It is a beautiful piece of art that had made me feel something more than most albums of late. If you haven’t listened yet, you’re missing out.

Another album I’ve had on repeat sees me go back to Charli xcx with her number one Wuthering Heights. I am over the moon she decided to produce a whole album for the film that has divided so many. As for the film itself, I loved so many moments of it, finding it visually stunning and truly heartbreaking. I understand why some people will not find the same love for it as others. That said, I am firmly on board with it being a certain perspective of the novel, not a direct adaptation. I recently saw a comment that it was more like Cathy’s view of her relationship with Heathcliff. An overly romanticised take on something that is much more societal as shown from Nelly’s point of view in the book. This does make sense, but then again, it is also just Emerald Fennell’s horny take on the story. Not that I have any complaints on that front, if anything it could have been hornier. Much like I have nearly no complaints for Charli’s accompanying album. My only question being, what happened to that alternative version of ‘Everything Is Romantic’? No, seriously I adored the Wuthering Heights album, it even had a collaboration with Djo, obsessed much? I think it paired so well artistically with the movie. Not only did it succeed as a companion piece but also as an album in its own right. My favourite stand-alone tracks predictably have to be ‘Chains of Love’, ‘Dying for You’ and ‘Always Everywhere’. I loved how they incorporated ‘Wall of Sound’ in the movie, and no amount of overdoing a silly Tik Tok trend would make me tire of ‘House’ featuring John Cale.

Now I obviously have to talk about The Brits. Naturally my favourite band won Group of The Year. It just makes sense; Wolf Alice really are that band. Their performance of ‘The Sofa’ really showcased their star power and ability to own a big stage. I especially loved that Ellie took the opportunity to talk on grassroots venues, promoting the importance of the local music scene for fans and musicians alike. I did of course enjoy Harry Styles giving choreo and faces in his opening performance, but the best part of the entire night is without a doubt Rosalía bringing big ‘Berghain’ energy to Manchester. Not to mention with Bjork actually there on stage too! It was absolute insanity in the best way. The techno breakdown was a masterpiece of visual art and sound. It looked like a classic painting come to life, and I don’t think I will ever have watched it enough. Bjork staying on to dance with everyone and the musicians thrusting their instruments in the air to the beat. perfection. More of this please!

I have grown rather fond of having a little (long) YouTube session in the evenings lately. As well as spamming Bad Bunny at the Superbowl, I found Balu Brigada covering Hall & Oates ‘You Make My Dreams (Come True)’ for Like A Version. What I really love about this cover is that the band really transform it into their own sound. It is a little moodier and hazier, giving less 500 Days of Summer Tom skipping through the park and more Tom smashing plates. It is a cover that I simply can’t enough of. Having been mostly spoon-fed Balu Brigada’s tracks on Spotify, this has only made me love the band more.

As for the February round up of My 2026 Mix, my highlights have to be :

Mitski – ‘I’ll Change For You’, (I just need to catch up on new album!)

Wet Let – ‘mangetout’ (The Dare remix – because I can’t get enough of Wet Leg or The Dare as it is and now this remix exists?!)

Fred again… and Jamie T – ‘Lights Burn Dimmer’ (I loved Jamie T as a teenager, and quite frankly still do now, so this has been such a fresh yet nostalgic number on repeat this month)

Jessie Ware – ‘Ride’ (I checked this out after Jessie featured on a recent episode of Sidetracked and can confirm it is a straight up bop)

…and of course my absolute faves once again, Lime Garden with ‘All Bad Parts’. Literally every new song slaps harder than the last and I am ridiculously excited for the new album in April. Yet another Lime Garden track that has had been played over and over and got me dancing in my room. I have completely absorbed every second of it and I am majorly here for the “eugh” after each variation of “I got/found you baby”. A very real account of catching feelings and even being a little grossed about the sweetest notions of love. Cute and quite simply a banger.

There are plenty more tracks I have been loving this month, including some from January that I missed before, and you can find them all on My 2026 Mix on Spotify: