And just like that, normal life has begun again. The holiday celebrations are in the rearview, and ahead of us are new experiences, opportunities, and, of course, new music.

To start the year on the right foot, we went to see an artist we have been loving for many years. Austra has not played in New York City for eight years, but she still sold out Brooklyn’s Baby’s All Right so quickly that they added a second show. When we saw her for the first time 15 years ago at Santos Party House in Chinatown, she was a hot ticket who had just signed to Domino Records. Last year, she released Chin Up Buttercup, an album that sounds fresh, innovative, and very Austra. On stage, she was surely more confident than back then, but similarly joyful and vibrant. Weathering the music industry as an indie artist for that long, seemingly unscathed, is a true accomplishment.

Another thought came to us while we were crammed at the back of the venue. While we had an obstructed view, we at least could access the bar. Many independent venues are concerned about declining drink sales. Here’s one reason: the majority of the audience could not buy drinks even if they wanted to. Mosh pits and crowdsurfing are part of the fun at certain kinds of shows, but Austra’s music invites a different kind of connection. So maybe packing the room below the legal capacity would have made for a more comfortable experience for everybody.

Another big accomplishment is the New Colossus Festival, which marks its seventh appearance on the Lower East Side of Manhattan from March 3 to 8. The festival is fiercely indie, so each year it is a fun experience to browse the lineup and find only a few familiar names. That means either glamglare needs to do a better job, or the indie music scene is thriving so much that it is impossible to keep up. Either way, New Colossus is a great opportunity to discover new music, connect with the artists’ energy, and hang out at the Lower East Side’s iconic venues, which are typically not crammed to capacity.

Check out five songs from bands playing New Colossus 2026 that we can’t wait to (finally) see. And of course, dive into the full festival playlist on Spotify.

Cover Song of the Week: Toxic

The original “Toxic” by Britney Spears lives from a piercing, cinematic Bollywood sample that was meant to induce action and drama into the song — something the big-budget video visualizes in a breathtaking way. For Jordanian-Palestinian musician Dana Salah, it was the gateway to doing something clever: for her cover, she transforms the slick, synthetic early-2000s production of the original with traditional Arabic instruments.

And it works: for the casual listener, it is just a bit off from what they are used to, but if you pay attention, there is a lot to discover.

Five Songs: New Colossus 2026 First Impressions

Listen to glamglare five songs on Spotify, Apple Music, or below on YouTube.

Adult Leisure – “Dancing Don’t Feel Right”

Two of their 2025 songs made it into Song Pick of the Day features: the super catchy “Kiss Me Like You Miss Her” and the no less alluring “Dancing Don’t Feel Right.” We’re more than ready to hopefully see the Bristol four-piece live at last.

FEET – “English Weather”

A band we couldn’t quite fit into our schedule during Brighton’s The Great Escape last year — but one we’ve kept coming back to ever since. “English Weather” is a song we love to sing whenever it rains, or whenever we find ourselves in England.

House Plants – “Companero”

Lisbon’s House Plants had us under their spell back in 2024, and we’re excited for a repeat encounter. Their 2021 album Dry Goods is a favorite, and “Companero” remains a standout we keep returning to.

Die Anstalt – “Elfter Stock”

Berlin-based Die Anstalt bring a sharp, restless energy that immediately caught our attention. “Elfter Stock” feels tense and compelling — exactly the kind of track that makes us curious to experience it live.

I want Poetry – “Light”

Hailing from Dresden, I want Poetry tap into something intimate and quietly affecting. “Light” unfolds with a sense of emotional openness that lingers long after the song ends.

Song Pick of the Day

Listen to/watch all seven songs on YouTube. Follow our daily updated playlists on YouTube, Apple Music, or Spotify for the 50 latest Song Pick of the Day features, or subscribe here to receive them in your mailbox in real-time. Thank you for following us and sharing the excitement.

• Restless, sun-lit psych-rock with forward motion — Flavours’s “Alibi” makes change feel urgent and alive.
• “Even Mountains Erode” is built around the idea that even the most solid things can change; the track reflects Lala Lala’s recent years of movement and eventual settling in Los Angeles. It’s a subtle but affecting preview of her upcoming album Heaven 2, out February 27 on Sub Pop.
• A shimmering disco-pop crush that feels as good as it looks — Sam Quealy’s “By My Side” is joy, front to back.
• Hannah Schneider’s “In This Room” is a quietly immersive song shaped by space, memory, and presence. Recorded during a live residency, it feels intimate and grounded — a moment you want to step into.
• Bold, immersive, and quietly addictive — Sassy 009’s “Someone” draws you in and keeps revealing new edges.
• Scout Gillett is back with “Too Fast To Last,” a new indie rock song that reflects on life in constant motion — touring, changing places, and trying to hold onto what matters along the way. A compelling first taste of her upcoming album Tough Touch.
• Measured, atmospheric, and emotionally precise — Endearments’ “Real Deal” unfolds with quiet confidence.

Nine Photos: Snow to Turquoise

We left New York wrapped in snow and boarded a plane that felt like a promise. Rockaway slipped by, the city receded, and suddenly we were landing somewhere warm, familiar, and quietly reassuring. The first walk led us along the beach to the grocery store — a small ritual we seem to repeat every time. Our beach was right there, unchanged. Indoors, everything turned turquoise and calm. Evening arrived without drama. Feet in the sand, the water breathing nearby, colors deepening by the minute. By sunset, brushes came out, the sky doing what it always does here: reminding us why we return.