New Music Monday Finds its Voice in the Mid-Winter Chill

New music from Bruce Springsteen, Sugar, The Beaches, Matt Berninger and Black Stone Cherry

As we welcome this week’s somewhat milder weather, the latest New Music Monday serves as a much-needed hearth, offering warmth through a curated collection of rock, blues, and indie-pop. Sifted from the airwaves of the latest Friday Countdown with Aaron Hall, these five tracks act as a sonic survival kit, navigating the frost with everything from gritty slide guitar to defiant anthems of self-discovery. Whether you’re sheltering indoors or braving the winter winds, these selections provide the perfect soundtrack for finding light in the mid-winter gloom.

Sugar – "Long Live Love"

After three decades of silence, Bob Mould has revitalized his legendary 90s alt-rock outfit, Sugar, for a massive 2026 reunion. "Long Live Love," the B-side to their new 7-inch single, is a pop-infused gem originally penned by Mould in 2007. It carries the quintessential Sugar DNA—fuzzed-out melodic guitars paired with an optimistic, driving rhythm. Mould himself compares the track’s texture to a "long-lost Garbage song," making it a nostalgic yet vital addition to the winter airwaves that feels like a sunbeam breaking through a frozen windowpane.

Black Stone Cherry – "Don't You (Forget About Me)"

The Kentucky riff-masters have taken the ultimate 80s anthem and given it a heavy, "Black Stone Cherrified" overhaul. Enlisting the help of Theory of a Deadman’s Tyler Connolly, this cover strips away the synth-pop gloss of the Simple Minds original in favor of thick, Southern-rock muscle and soaring dual vocals. It’s a highlight from their new Celebrate EP, turning a cinematic classic into a stadium-sized rock weapon. If you need a track to jumpstart your internal engine during a sub-zero commute, this high-voltage tribute is the spark you’re looking for.

The Beaches – "I Ran (So Far Away)"

Toronto’s own rock queens, The Beaches, continue their streak of infectious releases with a dreamy, guitar-forward reimagining of the A Flock of Seagulls classic. Where the 1982 version shimmered with new wave alienation, The Beaches breathe life into the track with physical, driving energy and whimsical vocal delivery. It’s a cover that feels lived-in and urgent, perfectly capturing the restless spirit of a band that is currently dominating the international stage. It’s the kind of track that makes you want to keep moving, no matter how deep the snow gets.

Matt Berninger – "Blue Monday"

The National’s frontman Matt Berninger brings his signature baritone gravitas to New Order’s "Blue Monday." Originally an Amazon exclusive that became a staple of his 2025 live sets, this studio version—released this January—replaces the original’s cold electronic pulse with a warm, organic melancholy. Featuring lush synthesizers and background vocals from Julia Laws, the track is a masterclass in atmospheric indie-rock. It’s a slow-burning, moody essential that pairs perfectly with a quiet evening sheltered away from the winter winds.

Bruce Springsteen – "Streets of Minneapolis"

Closing out the week with raw, unfiltered emotion is "The Boss" with a searing new protest anthem. Written and recorded in a matter of days following political unrest in Minnesota this January, "Streets of Minneapolis" is a spiritual successor to his Oscar-winning "Streets of Philadelphia." The song builds from a minimalist acoustic strum to a full-band crescendo, complete with a harmonica bridge and the "E Street Choir." It is a powerful, indignant piece of storytelling that reminds us of music’s ability to act as a witness to the times, providing a grounded, deeply human finish to our weekly journey.

From the shelter of a rock-and-roll groove to the introspective warmth of a bluesy ballad, these essential spins from The Countdown with Aaron Hall offer a defiant answer to the winter chill. Let these melodies be your compass as you navigate the week ahead, finding your own "signal fire" in the music.

Sources:

Metal Planet Music

Stereogum

The Washington Post