Completely Conspicuous 678: Knee Deep in the Hoopla

Part 2 of my conversation with guest Jay Breitling as we count down our favorite music of 2026 so far. Show notes: Breitling's #6: Kurt Vile's love letter to Philly KV writes songs about nothing and they're great Kumar's #6: Great album from Chicago's Ratboys Leading the wave of bands with sweet female vocals and rocking instrumentation Breitling's #5: 17-track compilation from the Laughing Chimes It's like a typewriter, retro and satisfying Kumar's #5: Hot indie rock from Philly's Gladie Led by former singer of Cayetana Breitling's #4: First new LP from Broken Social Scene in a decade Reembracing the combustible Freakin' Fanelli Bootlegs became readily available in the early '00s Kumar's #4: Montreal post-punk trio with an excellent release Political lyrics Breitling's #3: The Notwist returns with a sound that combines their different phases Back to basics Documentary captures their weirdness Kumar's #3: Austin synth-punk weirdos Drakulas return with gloriously fun release Featuring members of the Riverboat Gamblers and Rise Against Breitling's and Kumar's #2: We did it! Courtney Barnett with a triumphant album recorded in California Sings about everyday issues in her life Breitling's and Kumar's #1: We did it again! Alex Edkins of METZ with his second Weird Nightmare album Not as dark and heavy as METZ, but exciting and exhilarating Very hooky and uplifting Looking forward to new stuff from Kiwi Jr., Strange Pains, Johnny Foreigner, Afghan Whigs, The Cramps (archival release), The Fall, Eddy Current Suppression Ring, Evil Island   Completely Conspicuous is available through Apple Podcasts. Subscribe and write a review! The opening and closing theme of Completely Conspicuous is "Theme to Big F'in Pants" by Jay Breitling. Voiceover work is courtesy of James Gralian.