A midyear roundup named 34 standout 2026 albums, spanning indie rock, rap, jazz, electronic music and pop.
The list ranges from experimental releases such as Angine de Poitrine’s Vol II and Olof Dreijer’s Loud Bloom to higher-profile records by Mitski, Robyn, Kacey Musgraves and Thundercat.
Several entries highlight notable returns or pivots, including Jill Scott’s first album in 11 years, Shabaka’s first self-produced solo set and Kim Gordon’s latest solo release.
The selection also leans heavily on underground and international acts, with artists from Quebec, Belfast, Copenhagen, Ukraine, Guatemala and Australia alongside U.S. and UK names.