The Anticipation List: February
Welcome to The Anticipation List, my monthly column where I get a little real with myself. These aren’t reviews or predictions — just the albums I have expectations for, and a few personal thoughts on why they’re already on my radar.
Before getting into February, it feels important to acknowledge the moment we’re in. As January comes to a close, it feels surreal to write about music to look forward to while the world continues to burn. from ongoing wars and a state of violence to the tightening grip of institutions like ICE, it’s impossible to separate art from the conditions it’s created under.
With that in mind, these are the albums I’m paying attention to as February opens its doors.
vegas water taxi – long time caller, first time listener
Release date: February 5
If you’re drawn to music that’s easygoing and humorous, but lingers longer than expected once you sit with the lyrics, this is worth your time. vegas water taxi makes songs that feel relaxed on the surface but reward closer attention. The charm lies in their dry humour and country-leaning edge, which makes the record an easy, genuinely pleasant listen.
Ratboys – Singin' to an Empty Chair
Release date: February 6
If you’re drawn to indie rock that feels emotionally steady and hits its hooks at exactly the right time, this one’s for you. After five albums, Ratboys sound fully at ease with who they are, and Singin’ to an Empty Chair feels like a natural, confident extension of that.
Angel Du$t – COLD 2 THE TOUCH
Release date: February 13
You can’t go wrong with Angel Du$t in my book. The hardcore band leans into everything they do best: fast, short, confident, and completely self-assured. If you know, you know, and if you don’t, this is a good place to start.
Charli XCX – Wuthering Heights
Release date: February 13
I can’t fully explain why I’m so excited for this album, or why it has me in a lock, it just does. Charli has said that this album is different from Brat, and maybe that also has something to do with it. You know, when an artist is willing to evolve and not beat the same dead horse. Just from the singles released from the album, it’s clear that Charli is leaning into the atmosphere, committing to a mood rather than a moment (pun not intended). It feels a little dramatic, forbidden, yet inviting and inclusive, exactly what makes Charli so approachable.
Mitski – Nothing's About to Happen to Me
Release date: February 27
Any Mitski release deserves everyone’s attention. The new album, Nothing’s About to Happen to Me, picks up where The Land Is Inhostiable and So Are We left off, which says a lot. The first single, “Where’s My Phone?” leans into a slightly fuzzy, bedroom-pop feel. So here I am, craving another single to get another taste of where Mitski is taking us.
Cootie Catcher – Something We All Got
Release date: February 27
I love indie-pop on the good days, the bad days, the warm days, and the cold days — hopefully that gives you a clear picture of how deep my affection for the genre really goes. So when cootie catcher popped up on r/indieheads, a space I often return to because it feels familiar, I had to listen. One spin of “Gingham Dress,” with its catchy 8-bit synth, was enough to make me start telling everyone I know about Cootie Catcher. I’m genuinely excited to hear how this album unfolds.
Hilary Duff – Luck... Or Something
Release date: February 20
There’s something unique about this Hilary Duff album. It might be because my six-year-old discovered Lizzie McGuire on Disney+, and I introduced her to Hilary Duff's music, which led us to here. Mainly produced by her husband, Matthew Koma, this marks Duff’s first album since 2015 and is a personal one, with the title reflecting a common denominator in her life and career. My daughter and I can’t wait to listen to it and learn every song.
Edgehill – Ode to the Greyhouse
Release date: February 13
For Edgehill’s debut album, they take nostalgic indie rock and give it a sense of purpose, turning each song into something distinctly their own. While I’ve heard the album from start to finish, I’ll avoid saying too much ahead of a full review, except that this is a release that carries a real sense of intention, built on familiarity, momentum, and trust in their own sound. I think everyone should keep an eye on Edgehill.