#MusicMonday Review - February 2026 Part 1

[osornios]

#MusicMonday is the hashtag I've been using for quite a while to share music recommendations from up-and-coming artists. Always fresh, and always different, trying to look for trends before they become one. You can check January's Part 2 review for more music.

Music convey emotions. It can be by expressing love for someone, the excitement of going out, the peace of being by yourself, or even the (apparent) lack of creativity. Feel them all by giving a listen, with a word from the artists themselves. 🎧

PAO ROVAL – Bucle

con tan solo un segundo
tu mirada me hipnotiza
un abismo sin salida
donde no hay final

el poder de tu sonrisa
es lo que me paraliza
o tu simple cercania
me pone a temblar

Our travels begin in Torreon, Mexico, for a Latin Pop track about the pain of falling in love with someone you think is out of your league. A feeling you just can't control:

"The song came from the curiosity of what it feels like to be in love. There isn’t a specific person behind it; it was simply the mindset I had at that time.

I knew that if I ever found that person, I would probably resist falling in love, because I’m very selective when it comes to love and, by nature, a free soul."

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Andrew Johnson – Exercise In Style

I see it all
as an exercise in style

My integrity is
whatever makes me smile

I fell from grace so long ago
It's all I've ever really known

Let's go now to Stockton-on-Tees, England for a New Wave influenced Pop Rock track that punches straight into emotional intensity from the very beginning:

"A lot of the album was written with titles and phrases as a stimulus.

Exercise In Style suggests somebody “painting by numbers”, creatively. The song itself is a little bit about my experience and knowledge of the music industry but also about being defiant in the face of either criticism or, let’s face it for the most part, apathy."

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first class rebel – Shadows Fade

Watching from windows
With envious intent

A bank full of time
Unable to be spent

Dreams were measured in the past
A time cloaked in fear

Let's travel now to Dublin, Ireland for a track that mixes Shoegaze with a touch of Psychedelia that will make you hide in the shadows as you stare into yourself:

"The guitar chords came first and I just added to them by layering different guitar lines on them.

I like the sound of the guitars and that creates the mood which for me is the most important thing. Simplicity is key for me!"

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Abbey Moon – Snooze

Put the world on snooze
Don't need anyone else just you

Sky was clear, everything was frozen
We were suspended in a moment

Any door we want we can open

I know you will get me through

We now travel to London, England for an Acoustic Indie track about experiencing deserted streets in company of your loved one:

"So the track was inspired by a late night walk with my girlfriend in Portobello road in London. It was very quiet as it was after everything had shut on a Sunday. It felt like a special moment and it made it seem like the world was on Snooze.

The track was written acoustically so I intentionally kept it quite sparse with some added lead guitar and touches of piano. I hope it sounds like a bit of a lullaby."

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Tano Mora – Aquí en Madrid

Yo se poco de todo y tu muy poco de mi
Tengo el tiempo del mundo que quieras compartir
Pégame tu risa y después el carmín
Todas estas calles se abrirán para ti

Ya se acaba la noche ya se ve amanecer
Me miras a los ojos y no sabes que hacer
Todo lo he soñado o es realidad?
Pero estas a mi lado y no quiero escapar
Abre tu corazón y ahora déjame entrar
Que Madrid amanece y no puedo esperar

From the quiet streets of London, we finish our trip with a busy night out in Madrid, Spain, thanks to this Latin Pop track about leaving everything behind, and get ready to enjoy your evening:

"Well, I wanted to reflect how special Madrid nights are. And how special it is to fall in love there."

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#MusicMonday 2025

It's time to recap 2025 with this year's compilation. 76 titles from original artists covering all types of genres, represent the multiple trends independent artists were proud to establish. Have a listen:

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Listen to them and much more on the complete playlist

spotify:playlist:2IYRLjcwf2X9vC0QrI0b0P

See you next time!