Julia Jacklin, Protomartyr, Gilla Band, M83 Lead September
September 25, 2026 saw a major release day in indie and alternative music, with new albums from Julia Jacklin, Protomartyr, Gilla Band, M83, and
Several artists released new albums on September 25, 2026, including Julia Jacklin, Protomartyr, Gilla Band, M83, and Starcleaner Reunion. This date delivered an unusually high number of notable releases across the indie, experimental, and alternative music scenes.
Julia Jacklin released her fourth album, The Gem. It follows her 2022 album Pre Pleasure. The album is named after a real pub in Melbourne, where Jacklin has lived since 2017. She recorded it in a room above the bar and tested songs downstairs at the pub, with co-production handled by Robert Muinos’ Rat Pack Studios.
Protomartyr released their album Hotel Usona, their first in three years. The album's bio was written by Iggy Pop, who mused, "What is a Protomartyr?...Kind of like Jesus." Frontman Joe Casey addresses themes of corrupted patriotism, deformed social media, and AI embodying selfishness on the record. It was preceded by the singles ‘Exalted Eagles’, ‘Feed the Sewer’, and ‘Sounds We Cannot Hear’.
Gilla Band released their fourth full-length album, Pugnello, on Rough Trade. It is the follow-up to their 2022 album Most Normal. The Irish quartet produced the album themselves, with mixing by Daniel Fox. Tracking took place between 2022 and 2026 across three Dublin studios: Hellfire, Yellow Door Music Studio, and Sonic Studios. Since their last album, members pursued individual projects. Dara Kiely developed a love of painting, Adam Faulkner played drums for Lankum on tour, Daniel Fox produced for bands like Sprints and Mandy, Indiana, and Duggan Borges formed the solo project Null Club. The singles ‘Giraffe’, ‘Placeholder’, and ‘Alogia’ preceded the album.
M83 released their tenth album, I Wrote You a Letter, via Anthony Gonzalez’s label Other Suns. It follows 2023’s Fantasy, which Gonzalez described as a sequel to 2005’s Before the Dawn Heals Us. The new album is considered a spiritual successor to 2008’s Saturdays=Youth. It includes the track 'Siren Behold... Beasts' with dueling choirs and saxophones and 'Soldiers of Lust' with a string quartet. A piano refrain closes the track 'Blister Sunrise'.
Artist Details and Context
Starcleaner Reunion released their debut album Umbrella via Take Care Records. The members-vocalist Jo Roman, guitarists Pat Drummond and Neil Torman, and bassist Adam Kenter-met in high school in Springfield, New Jersey. Their full-length debut follows EPs Club Estrella (2023) and Café Life (2024).
Other significant releases on the same day included a diverse array of albums from established and emerging artists. Each arrived with distinct creative backstories and label homes.
Tinashe’s Popstar channels beats from producers like Metro Boomin and features a dalliance with stadium country. It was previewed by the tracks ‘Pillow Fight’, ‘I’d Rather Be Alone’, ‘Melatonin’, and ‘Crash Out’. Jules Reidy’s Clerestory B-side features vocals, 12-string guitar, electric guitar, RMI, and MIDI strings. Starcleaner Reunion’s full-length debut follows EPs Club Estrella (2023) and Café Life (2024).
