Best Albums of 2026 (so far)

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Explore the best albums of 2026 (so far), based on over 2 million album rankings across 60,000 charts.
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2026 year summaryThe best artists of 2026 are Gorillaz, Angine De Poitrine, Olivia Rodrigo, Boards Of Canada, Dry Cleaning, Paul McCartney, Slayyyter, Flea (UN), By Storm and Ratboys.

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The Mountain

Gorillaz

"Once again, Gorillaz come up with something that is impossible to confuse with work by any comparable outfit and is yet totally original. This is the best new album I have heard this year, so far." Reply

- dukeboxkool | Helpful? (Log in to vote) | +9 votes (9 helpful | 0 unhelpful)

Year of Release:

2026

Appears in:

92 charts

Rank Score:

295

Rank in 2026:

Rank in 2020s:

333

Overall Rank:

4,819

Average Rating:

76 (137 votes)

Comments:

Vol. II

Angine De Poitrine

"Unbelievably fun!" Reply

ExTeaSea | Helpful? (Log in to vote) | +3 votes (3 helpful | 0 unhelpful)

Year of Release:

2026

Appears in:

68 charts

Rank Score:

202

Rank in 2026:

Rank in 2020s:

496

Overall Rank:

6,548

Average Rating:

78 (99 votes)

Comments:

You Seem Pretty Sad For A Girl So In Love

Olivia Rodrigo

"Oliva''s Blue Valentine Well that's one obvious point of reference, though comparisons to Billie's recent Hard-Soft are also apt- not so much necessarily that they sound really similar, but they have a similar thematic structure mixed with a very glistening, attractive sheen that will certainly a...""Oliva''s Blue Valentine Well that's one obvious point of reference, though comparisons to Billie's recent Hard-Soft are also apt- not so much necessarily that they sound really similar, but they have a similar thematic structure mixed with a very glistening, attractive sheen that will certainly appeal to many (but also why a not insignificant people may find it underwhelming), but also is held back by a few inescapable fundemental flaws. After the very Aughties-style of her previous albums, which mostly mixed snarky and energetic Mall Punk inspired numbers with piano ballads, this takes a bit of a different turn towards trying to capture that distinctly 90s moody singer-songwriter style, mixing dreamy and stripped-down strum-happy numbers with a tougher foundation. There are a few different influences in here (the new Wave promised in the opening track is more sparse though can definitely be felt at points, especially in the quirky Penultimate track that feels like something off GUTS if it were remade by Thomas Dolby, some wistful yacht-rock/80s soft rock which She directly name-drops and the strange Garbage/Cardigans homage of My Way) it for the most part stays stylistically consistient, and yeah it can even feel like something a younger and much more direct Juliana Hatfield might have toyed with back in the day. It's also got an ambitous goal to upend the typical breakup album, in mainly wanting the two sides to show both the giddiness and uncertainty of falling in love mixed with the actual comedown, but sonically the two sides don't have enough contrast to give the impression that she's living both in the moment. The difference is just in the direct lyrical details, where as all the songs have an incredibly similar tempo and shape that evoke a lot of the same moods when they should come together as a more serpentine electrical shock, rarely emoting feelings beyond yearning and resignation. It never quite captures the early fire of romance, which is why the second "you seem so sad" half feels more authentic. And while for the most part the songwriting is very consistiently solid if sometimes constrained by the very polished production (the only major whatdafuckisthis exception being what should've been the most hyped, the Robert Smith duet, where I can only feel is that having is name seemed awesome enough but also the most costly, so apparently they cold only afford one take on a Casio, it's so jarringly out of place on the album that it briefly sucks all the momentum it's been gaining), I also am noticing the best ideas and most attractive hooks are almost always placed very early in the song, which is a problem when they all seem to peak before they hit the chorus. It's why I can see The Cure has gotten a lot of individual praise, not only is it easily the best in capturing that melancholy 90s vibe but it's actually an ambitious number that keeps growing and expanding and taking the listener somewhere new, and end's up being the most profound. A lot may be noted about Olivia's maturing lyrics here, though really I think it's just a good thing they're clearly aging with her as songs as the previous many numbers about not being able to quit bad but exciting relationships, and instead constrasting the feeling of importance toward romance & love when it's something so inherently emphermal. So yeah it's fine, previously I always found that her spunkier and spikier pop numbers were vastly superior to her ballads (which may have a lot to do with her vocal range), but this proves she can handle the quieter stuff. It just still feels like it's a little too tight-lidded to really let all the rawer feelings come out and thrive, it's a solid relationship post-morturm that probably wanted to have a much wider scope. I mean far be it for me to suggest fucking with the million dollar formula, I would like to see a producer's change-up sooner than later, I feel like with her growing Cachet she should find somebody who's willing to let her take more risks and be geniunely messy which could greatly help her get across the emotions she's clearly trying to evoke on these releases. This feels very much like a transitional album, not just in going from teenage-angst to young adulthood, but as a musician and performer (hopefully) as well. " [+] Reply

cestuneblague | Helpful? (Log in to vote) | +5 votes (5 helpful | 0 unhelpful)

Year of Release:

2026

Appears in:

67 charts

Rank Score:

201

Rank in 2026:

Rank in 2020s:

500

Overall Rank:

6,580

Average Rating:

77 (84 votes)

Comments:

Inferno

Boards Of Canada

"Easily one of my favourite electronic/ambient techno albums of all time. Can tell a lot of time, effort and love has gone into this masterpiece. Available as a 24hz wave file direct from Bleep.com for the full experience" Reply

joyofdivision | Helpful? (Log in to vote) | +1 votes (1 helpful | 0 unhelpful)

Year of Release:

2026

Appears in:

65 charts

Rank Score:

176

Rank in 2026:

Rank in 2020s:

Overall Rank:

Average Rating:

Comments:

"This band has a great rhythm section and I really enjoyed the guitar riffs throughout the album. The question mark is about the singing and lyrics which are a bit of an acquired taste. The album does drag after a while without a conventional song to listen to, but it was interesting and good at t..." [+] Reply

- Gedster | Helpful? (Log in to vote) | +2 votes (2 helpful | 0 unhelpful)

Year of Release:

2026

Appears in:

67 charts

Rank Score:

171

Rank in 2026:

Rank in 2020s:

590

Overall Rank:

7,507

Average Rating:

74 (98 votes)

Comments:

The Boys Of Dungeon Lane

Paul McCartney

"It's more consistent than his last few records and I like how reflective it is of his life pre-Beatles. I'm very grateful we still have Paul McCartney with us and releasing music today" Reply

- SD100852 | Helpful? (Log in to vote) | +5 votes (5 helpful | 0 unhelpful)

Year of Release:

2026

Appears in:

54 charts

Rank Score:

168

Rank in 2026:

Rank in 2020s:

606

Overall Rank:

7,605

Average Rating:

76 (81 votes)

Comments:

Wor$t Girl In America

Slayyyter

"This is probably Slayyyter's strongest LP offering so far, I love her aesthetic and her sound direction, she's definitely going in the right direction. I'm enjoying this album a lot and I think she is one of the more interested up and coming pop girls." Reply

- stanchoiaz | Helpful? (Log in to vote) | +1 votes (1 helpful | 0 unhelpful)

Year of Release:

2026

Appears in:

49 charts

Rank Score:

152

Rank in 2026:

Rank in 2020s:

659

Overall Rank:

8,257

Average Rating:

75 (71 votes)

Comments:

Honora

Flea (UN)

"As a Peppers fan, and also one who has read Flea's book, Acid For The Children, I never thought I'd be this interested in a Flea solo album. I wasn't a big fan of one of the first singles from the album, with vocals from some buddy named Thom Yorke. I know they have worked together in other proje...""As a Peppers fan, and also one who has read Flea's book, Acid For The Children, I never thought I'd be this interested in a Flea solo album. I wasn't a big fan of one of the first singles from the album, with vocals from some buddy named Thom Yorke. I know they have worked together in other projects, but this really didn't spark interest. I know of his first instrument love with the trumpet, and that he was realizing and following a dream to get back to the trumpet.... so when the album came out I had to hear what he wanted to get out. First listen, I thought it was a little all over the place and no flow. I mean, I was pleasantly surprised on A Plea (rhymes with Flea, eh?) when his own vocals showed up. It was unexpected, but turns out a highlight after repeated listens. With the aforementioned Thom Yorke song, Tragic Lights next and then a few instrumental jazz tracks, I was confused on what kind of album Flea was making. I left it for a couple of weeks, and, with some of it's album tracks popping up in some of my shuffled Playlists, I decided to give it another front to back listen. I am hearing new things every listen now, and even up until writing this comment, am impressed more and more with such an original album flow and the choices Flea makes. Whether it's that Plea for love, or experimental jazz in Morning Cry, the bravery in jazz standards or fun with the closing track, Free as I want To Be, Flea shows he is in control of a vision and does what he wants to do. His bass work here is excellent, as the album starts with incredible bass lines, then slowly rolls out his trumpet and has many surprising arrangements and moments that may not be realized until multiple listens. Maggot Brain and Thinkin Bout You ( A Frank Ocean cover, which i learned later) are definitely favorites now along with others I have mentioned. And, yes, I still think that first single... with Thom Yorke, is a weaker track on the album. But the album has become my #1 (so far) of 2026, where at one time I thought I wouldn't think would be such a record I'd give so much attention too." [+] Reply

- Jaymantheman | Helpful? (Log in to vote) | +3 votes (4 helpful | 1 unhelpful)

Year of Release:

2026

Appears in:

36 charts

Rank Score:

142

Rank in 2026:

Rank in 2020s:

Overall Rank:

Average Rating:

Comments:

Share your opinion and help others discover this album. The top-voted comments are showcased in our aggregate charts!

Year of Release:

2026

Appears in:

51 charts

Rank Score:

139

Rank in 2026:

Rank in 2020s:

720

Overall Rank:

8,902

Average Rating:

73 (82 votes)

Comments:

10.

Singin' To An Empty Chair

Ratboys

"An astonishingly mature album that doesn't try to win you over right away, but rather grows on you over time and leaves a lasting impression. It also takes courage to record these songs without copying other indie bands. They did a great job of it." Reply

- cronadigallina | Helpful? (Log in to vote) | +3 votes (3 helpful | 0 unhelpful)

Year of Release:

2026

Appears in:

48 charts

Rank Score:

134

Rank in 2026:

Rank in 2020s:

746

Overall Rank:

9,166

Average Rating:

75 (67 votes)

Comments:

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Total albums: 1,000. Page 1 of 100

Best Albums of 2026 (so far) composition

Artist	Albums	%

Various Artists	4	0%
Drake	3	0%
Fakemink	2	0%
U2	2	0%
Daniel Pemberton	2	0%
Converge	2	0%
Charli XCX	2	0%
Show all

Country	Albums	%

	404	40%
	203	20%
	54	5%
	49	5%
	37	4%
	31	3%
	24	2%
Show all

Compilation?	Albums	%
No	985	99%
Yes	15	2%

Live?	Albums	%
No	973	97%
Yes	27	3%

Soundtrack?	Albums	%
No	991	99%
Yes	9	1%

Best Albums of 2026 (so far) chart changes

Biggest climbers Biggest climbers in top 100 since last month
Up 157 from 252nd to 95th Florida Water Blues by Twisted Teens
Up 139 from 225th to 86th Dear God by The Pretty Reckless
Up 81 from 159th to 78th Romanticize The Dive by Metric

Biggest fallers Biggest fallers in top 100 since last month
Down 71 from - to 71st Everything I Ever Saw by The Menzingers
Down 56 from - to 56th You're Gonna Need A Little Music by Yard Act
Down 27 from - to 27th Reality Awaits by The Strokes

New entries New entries in top 100 since last month
Up 40 from 114th to 74th Bitknot by Feeble Little Horse
Up 81 from 159th to 78th Romanticize The Dive by Metric
Up 139 from 225th to 86th Dear God by The Pretty Reckless
Up 157 from 252nd to 95th Florida Water Blues by Twisted Teens
Up 49 from 145th to 96th Remains by 東京酒吐座 [Tokyo Shoegazer]

Leavers Leavers from top 100 since last month
Down 16 from 86th to 102nd Back Into The Womb by Sans Froid
Down 14 from 90th to 104th Ezeki @ Terrarium 11.15.2025 by Ezeki
Down 19 from 91st to 110th Somebody Tried To Sell Me A Bridge by Van Morrison
Down 14 from 92nd to 106th Death In The Business Of Whaling by Searows
Down 18 from 93rd to 111th Ö by Fcukers
Down 13 from 96th to 109th Tron Ares: Divergence by Nine Inch Nails
Down 15 from 98th to 113th Circadia by Mammal Hands
Down 21 from 99th to 120th Off The Fence by The James Hunter Six
Down 15 from 100th to 115th Trink Aus! Wir Müssen Gehen / Alles Muss Raus! by Die Toten Hosen

« View best albums of 2025

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