Notably, album releases are to feature prominently this month, with several artists previously spotlighted on the blog ushering in 2026 with new bodies of work. Among them, Ella Red may well be the most under-the-radar name of the bunch, yet momentum is unmistakably building. With a striking run of singles ahead of her debut album “It’s Not Real,” bolstered by successful tour support slots. Yet, above all, mass recognition feels less like a hope and more like an inevitability.
Operating within a darkly charged alt-pop space, Ella Red immediately stands apart from the crowd. While surface-level comparisons to Billie Eilish might arise, her artistry is not rooted in imitation. Instead, Ella brings her own brand of existential wit, theatrical playfulness and emotional precision, crafting songs that feel intimate yet expansive. Across the “It’s Not Real” tracks released so far, she explores themes of identity, self-perception and resilience, often centring empowering female matriarchs and the cyclical nature of beginnings and endings. There’s also a subtle nod to Lady Gaga’s flair for drama and conceptual storytelling, woven into Ella’s modern, gothic-leaning aesthetic.
With January 23rd shaping up to be an especially album-abundant release day, listeners will no doubt be flocking to major new releases. Mika returns with “Hyperlove“, Agnes delivers anticipated “Beautiful Madness“, and Louis Tomlinson unveils “How Did I Get Here?”. Yet, despite the heavyweight competition, “It’s Not Real” feels more than capable of standing shoulder to shoulder with these releases. Moreover, offering something darker, bolder and refreshingly unfiltered.
Retaining the gothic flair she so liberally displays, there’s little in the way of sunshine across Ella Red’s recent output. This is particularly evident in her latest release, “Funeral,” arguably her most finite and arresting statement yet. The track leans fully into her shadowy sensibilities, pairing brooding production with lyrical introspection that confronts emotional endings head-on. It’s haunting, cathartic and deeply compelling, an alt-pop moment that lingers long after the final note fades.
If the strength of “Funeral” is anything to go by, It’s Not Real is shaping up to be one of January’s most quietly essential albums. One that rewards those willing to step slightly off the mainstream path.
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