Listen "Out" music reviews for January 2026

JADE – That’s Showbiz Baby! The Encore 

The deluxe edition That’s Showbiz Baby! The Encore feels like an exclamation point on what was already one of 2025’s most thrilling pop debuts. JADE expands her already adventurous template with eight new tracks, from the defiant stomp of Church to the euphoric urgency of This Is What We Dance For, augmenting a set already rich with hits like Angel Of My Dreams and Fantasy.  

What felt like a journey of self-reinvention on the original That’s Showbiz Baby now becomes a broader cultural statement — anthems and ballads that traverse disco, electroclash, and glossy synth-pop with equal confidence. The addition of a stunning cover of Frozen is a masterstroke of reverence and reinvention, while deeper cuts like Tar and Use Me balance vulnerability with showmanship. This is a career-defining pop record that doesn’t just celebrate spectacle — it embodies it.  

Jimmy Somerville — Dare To Love (Remastered & Expanded) 

Thirty years on, Dare To Love (Remastered & Expanded) reintroduces Jimmy Somerville’s 1995 classic as both a historical landmark and a living, breathing emotional statement. The remaster brings out the rich textures of Stephen Hague’s production — from the euphoric pulse of Heartbeat to the aching vulnerability of Safe In These Arms — while the expanded Disc Two digs deep into B-sides, rarities, and remixes that reveal just how versatile Somerville’s voice could be.  

On tracks like Hurt So Good and Dare To Love, his voice remains a beacon of sincerity and resilience, bridging LGBTQ+ pride and raw romanticism with club-ready beats. This edition doesn’t just preserve a seminal synth-pop record; it amplifies its resonance for listeners new and old, proving that Somerville’s gift for marrying pop immediacy with political and emotional depth still glows brightly. 

Ultravox — The Collection (Deluxe Edition)
For listeners enamored of synth-pop’s architecture and the sheen of early ’80s new wave, The Collection (Deluxe Edition) stands as an indispensable archive and immersive experience. More than just a greatest-hits compilation, this deluxe box set remasters iconic tracks like Vienna, Hymn, and Dancing With Tears In My Eyes with fidelity that honors their original impact while rendering nuances modern ears will appreciate. 

Beyond the core hits, the expanded edition’s inclusion of rarities, alternate versions, extended mixes, and video content paints a fuller picture of Ultravox’s influence on electronic and alternative music. From the austere drama of The Thin Wall to the futurist rush of Love’s Great Adventure, this set re-cements the band’s legacy as architects of mood, melody, and synthesizer magic. It’s both a celebration for longtime aficionados and a rich gateway for those just discovering the power of Ultravox’s sound.

Orville Peck — Appaloosa EP 

With Appaloosa EP, Orville Peck continues to blur the lines between dreamy country twang and noirish glam, crafting an intimate collection that feels cinematic and deeply personal. Peck’s baritone leans into wide-open spaces and close-up confessionals alike, threading through standout tracks like the reflective Drift Away and the haunting duet Atchafalaya (featuring Noah Cyrus). His reimagining of Maybe This Time — pulled from his Broadway role — adds theatrical gravitas without losing the rawness that has become his signature.  

Across its five tracks, Appaloosa is a meditation on love, longing, and identity that hovers between the haunted and the hopeful. Peck’s ability to make the vastness of the frontier feel intimate — a place where heartbreak and resilience coexist — is what makes this EP one of his most affecting collections yet. 

The Gayly online. 01/08/2026 @ 1:37 p.m. CST.