2026 is almost halfway over, and there have already been so many incredible new releases. Hosts Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot share their personal best albums of 2026 so far. Plus, they'll hear picks from the production staff.Join our Facebook Group: https://bit.ly/3sivr9TBecome a member on Patreon: https://bit.ly/3slWZvcSign up for our newsletter: https://bit.ly/4frcVZoMake a donation via PayPal: https://bit.ly/3dmt9lUSend us a Voice Memo: Desktop: bit.ly/2RyD5Ah Mobile: sayhi.chat/soundops Featured Songs:Twisted Teens, "Circus Clown," Blame the Clown, Jazz Life/ Chain Smoking, 2026The Beatles, "With A Little Help From My Friends," Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, Parlophone, 1967Courtney Barnett, "Sugar Plum," Creature of Habit, Mom + Pop, 2026Ora Cogan, "Bury Me," Hard Hearted Woman, Sacred Bones, 2026Lucinda Williams, "The World's Gone Wrong (feat. Brittney Spencer)," World's Gone Wrong, Highway 20 and Thirty Tigers, 2026Ye Vagabonds, "Mayfly V3," All Tied Together, River Lea, 2026Robyn, "Blow My Mind," Sexistential, Konichiwa and Young, 2026The Twilight Sad, "GET AWAY FROM IT ALL," It's the Long Goodbye, Rock Action, 2026Kacey Musgraves, "Everybody Wants To Be A Cowboy," Middle of Nowhere, Lost Highway, 2026Ratboys, "The World, So Madly," Singin' to an Empty Chair, New West, 2026Blood Sucking Maniacs, "Red Leg Boy," Blood Sucking Maniacs, Paradise of Bachelors, 2026Ora Cogan, "The Smoke," Hard Hearted Woman, Sacred Bones, 2026Squarepusher, "K7 Museum," Kammerkonzert, Warp, 2026Dry Cleaning, "Cruise Ship Designer," Secret Love, 4AD, 2026Genesis Owusu, "STAMPEDE," Redstar Wu & the Worldwide Scourge, Ourness, 2026Peaches, "Panna Cotta Delight," No Lube So Rude, Kill Rock Stars, 2026Jill Scott, "Right Here Right Now," To Whom This May Concern, Blues Babe, Human Re Sources, and The Orchard, 2026Golems of the Red Planet, "Hadrial," Surf Masala, Heyday Again, 2026See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this bonus episode, Jim spotlights a beloved blues and soul singer whose name has been in the Sound Opinions conversation since the show's earliest days—going all the way back to episode five.Join our Facebook Group: https://bit.ly/3sivr9TBecome a member on Patreon: https://bit.ly/3slWZvcSign up for our newsletter: https://www.patreon.com/collection/2136865Make a donation via PayPal: https://bit.ly/3dmt9lUSend us a Voice Memo: Desktop: bit.ly/2RyD5Ah Mobile: sayhi.chat/soundopsSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Hosts Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot talk with music journalist and author Barry Walters about his new book Mighty Real: A History of LGBTQ Music 1969-2000. They discuss how gay artists, industry execs and audiences changed mainstream music. They also chat about artists like R.E.M., Pet Shop Boys, Donna Summer and more.Join our Facebook Group: https://bit.ly/3sivr9TBecome a member on Patreon: https://bit.ly/3slWZvcSign up for our newsletter: https://bit.ly/4frcVZoMake a donation via PayPal: https://bit.ly/3dmt9lUSend us a Voice Memo: Desktop: bit.ly/2RyD5Ah Mobile: sayhi.chat/soundops Featured Songs:David Bowie, "Rebel Rebel," Diamond Dogs, RCA, 1974The Beatles, "With A Little Help From My Friends," Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, Parlophone, 1967Sylvester, "You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real)," Step II, Fantasy, 1978Pet Shop Boys, "Opportunities (Let's Make Lots of Money)," Please, Parlophone, 1986R.E.M., "Pretty Persuasion," Reckoning, I.R.S., 1984Gang of Four, "Call Me Up," Songs of the Free, EMI, 1982Prince, "Controversy," Controversy, Warner Bros., 1981Grace Jones, "Warm Leatherette," Warm Leatherette, Island, 1980Laura Nyro, "Stoned Soul Picnic," Eli and the Thirteenth Confession, Columbia, 1968Donna Summer, "Queen For a Day," Once Upon a Time, Casablanca, 1977Indigo Girls, "Closer to Fine," Indigo Girls, Epic, 1989Michael Jackson, "Childhood," HIStory: Past, Present and Future, Book I, Epic, 1995The Smiths, "There Is a Light That Never Goes Out," The Queen Is Dead, Rough Trade, 1986David Bowie, "Space Oddity," David Bowie, Philips, 1969Frankie Goes to Hollywood, "Relax," Welcome to the Pleasuredome, ZTT, 1984Robyn, "Blow My Mind," Sexistential, Konichiwa and Young, 2026See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this bonus episode, Greg pays tribute to American record producer Jack Douglas. Douglas earned the admiration of countless artists, perhaps none more than Rick Nielsen of Cheap Trick, who called him his favorite producer of all time. Jack Douglas died on May 11, 2026, at the age of 77.Join our Facebook Group: https://bit.ly/3sivr9TBecome a member on Patreon: https://bit.ly/3slWZvcSign up for our newsletter: https://www.patreon.com/collection/2136865Make a donation via PayPal: https://bit.ly/3dmt9lUSend us a Voice Memo: Desktop: bit.ly/2RyD5Ah Mobile: sayhi.chat/soundopsSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week, hosts Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot are digging into the Sound Opinions archives to share some rare tracks recorded in live sessions for past episodes. They'll share songs by Sleater Kinney, Courtney Barnett, Drive-By Truckers and more. The hosts will also review the new album from JPEGMAFIA.Join our Facebook Group: https://bit.ly/3sivr9TBecome a member on Patreon: https://bit.ly/3slWZvcSign up for our newsletter: https://bit.ly/4frcVZoMake a donation via PayPal: https://bit.ly/3dmt9lUSend us a Voice Memo: Desktop: bit.ly/2RyD5Ah Mobile: sayhi.chat/soundops Featured Songs:Courtney Barnett, "Scott Says (Live on Sound Opinions)," Sometimes I Sit and Think, and Sometimes I Just Sit, Mom + Pop Music, 2015JPEGMAFIA, "babygirl," Experimental Rap, AWAL, 2026JPEGMAFIA, "The Ghost of Emmett Till," Experimental Rap, AWAL, 2026Mudhoney, "1995 (Live on Sound Opinions)," My Brother the Cow, Reprise, 1995Hüsker Dü, "Diane," Metal Circus, SST, 1983Zola Jesus, "Hunger (Live on Sound Opinions)," Taiga, Mute, 2014Sleater-Kinney, "Get Up (Live on Sound Opinions)," The Hot Rock, Kill Rock Stars, 1999Torres, "Ferris Wheel (Live on Sound Opinions)," Sprinter, Partisan, 2015Hüsker Dü, "Pink Turns to Blue," Zen Arcade, SST, 1984Drive-By Truckers, "What It Means (Live on Sound Opinions)," American Band, ATO, 2016Against Me!, "True Trans Soul Rebel (Live on Sound Opinions)," Transgender Dysphoria Blues, Total Treble, 2014Diana Ross, "I'm Coming Out," Diana, Motown, 1980See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this bonus trip to the Desert Island Jukebox, Jim highlights a singer who spent years in the orbit of some of post-punk's most celebrated and notorious figures before stepping into the spotlight herself. Join our Facebook Group: https://bit.ly/3sivr9TBecome a member on Patreon: https://bit.ly/3slWZvcSign up for our newsletter: https://www.patreon.com/collection/2136865Make a donation via PayPal: https://bit.ly/3dmt9lUSend us a Voice Memo: Desktop: bit.ly/2RyD5Ah Mobile: sayhi.chat/soundopsSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week, hosts Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot are joined by returning guest and favorite music writer Jimmy McDonough. Jimmy recently released a biography 40 years in the making, Gary Stewart: I Am From the Honky-Tonks, and joins the show to help Jim and Greg run down five essential tracks from the cult country artist. The hosts also review new albums from Jill Scott, Mandy, Indiana, and Aldous Harding.Join our Facebook Group: https://bit.ly/3sivr9TBecome a member on Patreon: https://bit.ly/3slWZvcSign up for our newsletter: https://bit.ly/3RuYwkSMake a donation via PayPal: https://bit.ly/3dmt9lUSend us a Voice Memo: Desktop: bit.ly/2RyD5Ah Mobile: sayhi.chat/soundops Featured Songs:Gary Stewart, "Honky Tonk Man," Honky Tonk Man (Single), RCA, 1981The Beatles, "With A Little Help From My Friends," Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, Parlophone, 1967Jill Scott, "Offadaback," To Whom This May Concern, Blues Babe, 2026Jill Scott, "Liftin' Me Up," To Whom This May Concern, Blues Babe, 2026Jill Scott, "Pay U on Tuesday," To Whom This May Concern, Blues Babe, 2026Mandy, Indiana, "Sevastopol," URGH, Sacred Bones, 2026Mandy, Indiana, "Magazine," URGH, Sacred Bones, 2026Mandy, Indiana, "I'll Ask Her," URGH, Sacred Bones, 2026Aldous Harding, "Venus in the Zinnia," Train On The Island, 4AD, 2026Aldous Harding, "Train on the Island," Train On The Island, 4AD, 2026Aldous Harding, "I Ate the Most," Train On The Island, 4AD, 2026Aldous Harding, "Coats," Train On The Island, 4AD, 2026Aldous Harding, "One Stop," Train On The Island, 4AD, 2026Gary Stewart, "Sweet Tater and Cisco," You're Not The Woman You Used To Be, MCA, 1975Gary Stewart, "Drinkin' Thing," Out of Hand, RCA, 1975Gary Stewart, "Flat Natural Born Good-Timin' Man," Steppin' Out, RCA, 1976Gary Stewart, "Pretend I Never Happened," Your Place or Mine, RCA, 1977Courtney Barnett, "Scotty Says (Live on Sound Opinions)," Sometimes I Sit and Think, and Sometimes I Just Sit, Mom + Pop Music, 2015See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this bonus Desert Island Jukebox episode, Greg shares a cult favorite from Milwaukee's psychedelic scene.Join our Facebook Group: https://bit.ly/3sivr9TBecome a member on Patreon: https://bit.ly/3slWZvcSign up for our newsletter: https://bit.ly/3eEvRnGMake a donation via PayPal: https://bit.ly/3dmt9lUSend us a Voice Memo: Desktop: bit.ly/2RyD5Ah Mobile: sayhi.chat/soundopsSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week, hosts Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot dig into Willie Nelson’s vast catalog of 150+ albums. Along with author Geoffrey Himes, they highlight the “five essential” albums people should hear. They also review the latest album from Kacey Musgraves.Join our Facebook Group: https://bit.ly/3sivr9TBecome a member on Patreon: https://bit.ly/3slWZvcSign up for our newsletter: https://bit.ly/3eEvRnGMake a donation via PayPal: https://bit.ly/3dmt9lUSend us a Voice Memo: Desktop: bit.ly/2RyD5Ah Mobile: sayhi.chat/soundops Featured Songs:Willie Nelson, "Stardust," Stardust, Columbia, 1978The Beatles, "With A Little Help From My Friends," Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, Parlophone, 1967Kacey Musgraves, "Dry Spell," Middle of Nowhere, Lost Highway, 2026Kacey Musgraves, "Middle of Nowhere," Middle of Nowhere, Lost Highway, 2026Kacey Musgraves, "Horses and Divorces (featuring Miranda Lambert)," Middle of Nowhere, Lost Highway, 2026Kacey Musgraves, "Uncertain, TX (featuring Willie Nelson)," Middle of Nowhere, Lost Highway, 2026Willie Nelson, "Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain," Red Headed Stranger, Columbia, 1975Willie Nelson, "Phases and Stages (Theme) / Washing the Dishes," Phases and Stages, Atlantic, 1974Willie Nelson, "Bloody Mary Morning," Phases and Stages, Atlantic, 1974Willie Nelson, "Help Me Make It Through the Night," Sings Kristofferson, Columbia, 1979Willie Nelson, "Georgia On My Mind," Stardust, Columbia, 1978Willie Nelson, "I Guess I've Come to Live Here in Your Eyes," Spirit, Island, 1996Willie Nelson, "On the Road Again (Live)," Live! At The US Festival (June 4, 1983), Shout! Factory, 1983Willie Nelson, "Last Man Standing," Last Man Standing, Legacy, 2018Willie Nelson, "Always on My Mind," Always on My Mind, Columbia, 1982Gary Stewart, "She's Actin' Single (I'm Drinkin' Doubles)," Out of Hand, RCA Victor, 1975See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this bonus Desert Island Jukebox, Jim pays tribute to legendary American songwriter Chip Taylor, whose pop and country songs were recorded by countless artists— including one of Jim’s favorites, The Troggs. Taylor died on March 23, 2026, at the age of 86.Join our Facebook Group: https://bit.ly/3sivr9TBecome a member on Patreon: https://bit.ly/3slWZvcSign up for our newsletter: https://bit.ly/3eEvRnGMake a donation via PayPal: https://bit.ly/3dmt9lUSend us a Voice Memo: Desktop: bit.ly/2RyD5Ah Mobile: sayhi.chat/soundopsSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week, hosts Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot are joined by author Nic Brown for a classic album dissection of the debut from The Violent Femmes. They delve into the unexpected staying power of songs like "Add It Up" and "Blister In The Sun" and Brown shares new insights into the album from his recent interviews with the band members.Join our Facebook Group: https://bit.ly/3sivr9TBecome a member on Patreon: https://bit.ly/3slWZvcSign up for our newsletter: https://bit.ly/3eEvRnGMake a donation via PayPal: https://bit.ly/3dmt9lUSend us a Voice Memo: Desktop: bit.ly/2RyD5Ah Mobile: sayhi.chat/soundops Featured Songs:Blister In The Sun, "Violent Femmes," Violent Femmes, Slash, 1983The Beatles, "With A Little Help From My Friends," Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, Parlophone, 1967Please Do Not Go, "Violent Femmes," Violent Femmes, Slash, 1983Confession, "Violent Femmes," Violent Femmes, Slash, 1983Kiss Off, "Violent Femmes," Violent Femmes, Slash, 1983Add It Up, "Violent Femmes," Violent Femmes, Slash, 1983Gone Daddy Gone, "Violent Femmes," Violent Femmes, Slash, 1983Good Feeling, "Violent Femmes," Violent Femmes, Slash, 1983American Music, "Violent Femmes," Why Do Birds Sing, Reprise, 1991Willie Nelson, "On The Road Again (Live)," Honeysuckle Rose, Columbia, 1980See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week on the Desert Island Jukebox, Greg cues up a song inspired by outlaw airwaves. It’s a reminder of a time when discovering music still felt like stumbling onto a secret signal.Join our Facebook Group: https://bit.ly/3sivr9TBecome a member on Patreon: https://bit.ly/3slWZvcSign up for our newsletter: https://bit.ly/3eEvRnGMake a donation via PayPal: https://bit.ly/3dmt9lUSend us a Voice Memo: Desktop: bit.ly/2RyD5Ah Mobile: sayhi.chat/soundopsSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.