All Songs Considered: New Music Friday — The Best Albums Out Feb. 6, 2026

Host: Stephen Thompson (NPR Music)
Guest: Aaron Wolfe (Radio Milwaukee 88.9)
Date: February 6, 2026

Overview

This episode of NPR's "All Songs Considered" covers the most compelling new albums released on February 6, 2026. Host Stephen Thompson is joined by returning guest Aaron Wolfe from Milwaukee’s 88.9. Together, they discuss standout releases from J. Cole, Ratboys, Beverly Glenn Copeland, Daphni, Charlotte Day Wilson, and John Craigie, plus a lightning round highlighting other remarkable projects. The mood is conversational, enthusiastic, and empathetic, focusing on the transformative power of music and the emotional depth found in these new works.

Key Albums & Discussions

1. J. Cole – The Fall Off (Teaser Discussion)

• [00:53] The episode opens with anticipation for J. Cole’s much-hyped, "purportedly final album," The Fall Off.
  • Aaron Wolfe: Describes the album’s cinematic rollout and evocative lyrics, quoting J. Cole’s lines:

    “The way he starts everything out: ‘my life. I see it in reverse. I first appeared in a hearse and the image of his grandkids carrying his coffin.’ I’m just like, dang, that is some deep stuff.” (01:14)

  • The hosts don’t review the full album (not available pre-release), but stress the heightened anticipation and emotional weight.

2. Ratboys – Singin to an Empty Chair

• [02:23] Discussion on the Chicago band's sixth record, its first on New West Records, produced by Chris Walla.
  • Aaron Wolfe:

    “The energy and emotion of this record really balances everything out... I feel like the Ratboys at their best.” (03:29)

  • Stephen Thompson: Notes Julia Steiner (vocals/guitar) drew on therapy experiences, using "rehearsing conversations" as a songwriting tool for emotional openness:

    “There’s always this light twang under the surface that gives their songs a little bit of depth and heft.” (04:32)

  • Influences highlighted:

    “Music writer Steven Haydn describes it as a mix of crunchy emo pop and punky, all country” (05:03)
    “There’s a lot of Tom Petty in this Rat Boys sound... big guitar rock moments with that twang. Tom Petty, Neil Young even.” (05:14)

  • The album stretches out with “epic quality” on longer tracks like “Just Want You to Know the Truth.”
  • Standout tracks: “Strange Love” (06:23, 08:15), which draws comparisons to Jenny Lewis, bringing both Americana twang and indie sparseness.

3. Beverly Glenn Copeland – Laughter in Summer

• [08:37] Introduction to the "fascinating figure" of Beverly Glenn Copeland.
  • Stephen Thompson:

    “He’s a Black trans man in his early 80s... His own music spans New Age and folk and jazz. He had a classic electronic album in 1986 called Keyboard Fantasies.” (09:46)

    • Recent dementia diagnosis gives the new record “a sense of radical joy,” not grief.

    “This is not a record about grief or loss. It is a record about love and celebration.” (12:07)

  • Aaron Wolfe:

    “It felt like the first time I heard Anoni’s voice... just that deep, emotional, timeless, compassionate voice... these songs were all recorded in one take. So it just feels... very genuine and just very community driven.” (13:58)

  • The album is a collaboration with Copeland’s wife, Elizabeth, and is praised for its community emphasis and emotional immediacy.

4. Daphni – Butterfly

• [18:02] The electronic alter ego of Dan Snaith (a.k.a. Caribou) delivers a club-centric, trance-infused album.
  • Aaron Wolfe:

    “Daphni, the more club-centric alter ego Snaith—sans vocals usually—is the stuff he makes for his DJ sets... even more escapist in this really bass, joyous way.” (18:42)

  • Stephen Thompson:

    “What I like about this record is it never feels samey... there’s certainly repetition... but there’s a lot of different feels kind of running through.” (19:27)

    • “Sad Piano House” opens the record on a melancholy, hooky note; “Waiting So Long” playfully credits Daphni featuring Caribou—both Snaith’s projects—noting a blend of sensibilities.

    “It’s kind of billed as Daphni, featuring Caribou... I thought was a witty way of doing that.” (21:29)

  • The album is praised for concise, creative tracks (“like... highbrow kind of Swedish sour raspberry candy”) (21:02).

5. Charlotte Day Wilson – Patchwork (EP)

• [23:18] Toronto-based R&B artist known for her “deep-voiced, down tempo” style, previous collabs with BadBadNotGood, Daniel Caesar, James Blake, Kaytranada.
  • Aaron Wolfe:

    “Her voice is often described as satin that drapes around arrangements and she creates these quiet storm moments. Yeah, she’s definitely all that.” (23:18)

  • Stephen Thompson:

    “There’s something so kind of haunting and haunted about these songs... you get some of those Bon Iver vibes.” (24:25)

    • Track standouts: “High Road” (co-written with Saya Gray), “Lean” (noted for its playful tempo shifts), and “Selfish” (“so sleek and intriguing... sonic adventure”). (24:25–26:49)
  • The duo praises Saya Gray’s influence, seeing the EP as a creative duo effort.

6. John Craigie – I Swam Here

• [29:31] Singer-songwriter from Portland, Oregon, previously L.A., with “mellow Laurel Canyon vibe... folk pop.”
  • Stephen Thompson:

    “He just has a wonderful sense of humor, kind of a deadpan sense of humor... there’s something so breezy and vibey to these songs. They wrap around you like a blanket.” (30:07)

  • Aaron Wolfe:

    “I kind of felt just magnetized to his reedy voice, his narration... He is emulating Marty Robbins... It’s funny, and he’s doing a thing. But I’m also drawn to his more sincere moments.” (30:50–31:59)

    • Compares Craigie’s sound to Cotton Jones, Fleet Foxes, Band of Horses, Lord Huron.
  • Noted for a balance between humor and emotional sincerity, with musical and narrative references both classic and current.

Lightning Round: Other Notable Releases

[33:35]

• Melissa Carper & Theo Lawrence – Havin a Talk:

  “Some of the most charming, classic, vintage-sounding country and western duets...”

• Alice Costelloe – Move on with the Year:

  “If you’re into beguiling, psyche, sometimes pastoral folk rock... you’ll dig this one.”

• Vegas Water Taxi – Longtime Caller, First Time Listener:

  “Jangly London alt country... packed with strange and wonderful pop culture references.”

• Ulrika Spacek – Expo:

  “England-based, post-rock/art-rock, lots of brooding on Expo and... comforting because it feels real right about now... about isolation and alienation in an online-centric world.” (37:02)

• Music City – Welcome to Music City:

  “Punky, spiky, poppy Irish band... with an undercurrent of rollicking bar band vibes.”

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Aaron Wolfe [J. Cole]:

  “Mama gives me my name then hands me over to the doctor and I watch as my spirit reverts then I’m no longer here on this earth.” (02:07)

• Stephen Thompson [Beverly Glenn Copeland]:

  “It’s a record that deepens the more you know the story behind it... an antidote to cynicism, to nihilism, to doomerism.” (12:07)

• Aaron Wolfe [Charlotte Day Wilson]:

  “Saya Gray, I think is a revelatory companion into Charlotte J. Wilson.” (25:43)

• Stephen Thompson [John Craigie]:

  “He’s conversant in so many sounds and eras... there’s something very western about this music.” (32:29)

• Aaron Wolfe [episode close]:

  “It’s always great to be talking music with you, especially at the beginning of a year. There’s so much to look forward to.” (39:08)

• Stephen Thompson [episode close]:

  “It fills me with this weird sense of an emotion I’ve never felt before—optimism.” (39:14)

Timestamps for Discussion Highlights

• J. Cole – The Fall Off: 00:53–02:23
• Ratboys – Singin to an Empty Chair: 02:23–08:08
• Beverly Glenn Copeland – Laughter in Summer: 08:37–14:57
• Daphni – Butterfly: 18:02–22:54
• Charlotte Day Wilson – Patchwork: 23:18–27:49
• John Craigie – I Swam Here: 29:31–33:35
• Lightning Round: 33:35–38:18

Tone & Takeaway

The episode’s tone is conversational, warm, and genuinely enthusiastic about emerging music. Stephen and Aaron’s rapport brings both knowledge and heart to the reviews, which combine musical analysis, cultural context, and personal reflection. The episode is ideal for both seasoned listeners and new music explorers, offering a curated roadmap through February’s most rewarding new sounds.