5 big albums to check out in February

Here are the biggest and potentially best albums on this month's release schedule

It's officially February! Which means that a) the longest January of all time is officially over and b) there's a whole new month of new music ahead.

While January – as always – was reasonably quiet for new releases, the good news is that there's some great albums on the way this month.

See below for 5 big albums that you can look forward to in the coming weeks...

FOO FIGHTERS – 'Medicine at Midnight' [February 5^th]

They're one of the biggest rock bands in the world, but Foo Fighters are switching things up for their 10^th album. Well, just a little. Dave Grohl and co. had finished 'Medicine at Midnight' before the pandemic struck, but this collection of songs suits the times we're living in – it's an uplifting, groovy and – dare we say it? - danceable rock record.

DJANGO DJANGO – 'Glowing in the Dark' [February 12^th]

This London-based art-rock band have never made the same album twice – and the same goes for their fourth record. 'Glowing in the Dark' blends electronic pop with indie music, imaginative melodies and curveballs at every corner; there's even a song featuring Charlotte Gainsbourg on vocals.

MOGWAI – 'As the Love Continues' [February 19^th]

Another stalwart of the rock scene releases their 10^th album this month, too – although Mogwai's latest opus is a very different prospect to Foo Fighters'. Nevertheless, the Scottish post-rockers have re-teamed with producer Dave Fridmann (who produced remotely from his US base, because of Covid) for their milestone record – which, coincidentally, will be released on the exact 25^th anniversary of their very first single.

JULIEN BAKER – 'Little Oblivions' [February 26^th]

If you're a fan of acts like Phoebe Bridgers, Big Thief or even Aldous Harding, you'll love Julien Baker. The twentysomething Tennessee native plunders a similar well of indie/alt-folk-rock, as exhibited on her previous albums, 2016's 'Sprained Ankle' and 2017's lovely 'Turn Out the Lights'. Her third record, 'Little Oblivions', is out this month.

MAXIMO PARK – 'Nature Always Wins' [February 26^th]

You have to give Maximo Park credit. While many of their peers have fallen by the wayside, the Newcastle alt-rockers have survived being labelled as an 'NME band' in their early years and are still standing, 16 years after their debut 'A Certain Trigger' (an album we still hold a fondness for. Don't judge us.) Now, Paul Smith and his bandmates release their seventh studio album – let's see what they have in store with 'Nature Always Wins'.