Time Out's Midyear Roundup: The 10 Best Albums of 2026 So Far
Time Out's music editors have compiled a midyear list of the 10 best albums of 2026, spanning genres from dream pop to death metal. The list, presented alphabetically rather than ranked, highlights a wide range of artists, from established pop figures like Madonna and Olivia Rodrigo to underground acts like Funebrarum and heavensouls. Notable entries include Avalon Emerson's dream pop album 'Written Into Changes', Joji's anxiety-driven 'Piss in the Wind', and Modest Mouse's 'An Eraser and a Maze', which grapples with the death of drummer Jeremiah Green. The list also features Mandy, Indiana's aggressive 'URGH', Kevin Morby's Americana 'Little Wide Open', and Slayyyter's unapologetic 'WOR$T GIRL IN AMERICA'. Each entry includes a standout track, such as Emerson's 'Eden', Funebrarum's 'Turning the Stones of Torment', and Madonna's 'Danceteria'. The compilation reflects the diversity of musical creativity in 2026, with both mainstream and niche artists delivering notable work.
Key facts
- Time Out compiled a list of the 10 best albums of 2026 so far.
- The list is in alphabetical order, not ranked.
- Albums span genres including dream pop, death metal, jazz-funk, pop, and dance-pop.
- Avalon Emerson's 'Written Into Changes' is her second dream pop album.
- Funebrarum's 'Beckoning the Void of Eternal Silence' is their first full-length in 17 years.
- heavensouls' 'Westside Trapped' is by Chidi Obialo, a 20-year-old Nigerian-born Houston artist.
- Joji's 'Piss in the Wind' features guest vocals from Giveon and Don Toliver.
- Madonna's 'Confessions II' is her first direct sequel to a previous album, produced by Stuart Price.
- Mandy, Indiana's 'URGH' features vocals in French by Valentine Caulfield.
- Modest Mouse's 'An Eraser and a Maze' addresses the 2022 death of drummer Jeremiah Green.
- Kevin Morby's 'Little Wide Open' was produced by Aaron Dessner of The National.
- Olivia Rodrigo's third album is 'you seem pretty sad for a girl so in love'.
- Slayyyter's 'WOR$T GIRL IN AMERICA' is a dance-pop album with a distinct identity.
- Standout tracks include 'Eden', 'Turning the Stones of Torment', 'shed a tear for me', 'Hotel California', 'Danceteria', 'Dodecahedron', 'Speak 'N Spell (Or Not)', 'Natural Disaster', 'The Cure', and 'I'M ACTUALLY KINDA FAMOUS'.
Entities
Artists
- Avalon Emerson
- Funebrarum
- heavensouls
- Chidi Obialo
- Joji
- Madonna
- Stuart Price
- Mandy, Indiana
- Valentine Caulfield
- Modest Mouse
- Isaac Brock
- Jeremiah Green
- Kevin Morby
- Aaron Dessner
- Olivia Rodrigo
- Slayyyter
- Giveon
- Don Toliver
- Lucinda Williams
- Fela Kuti
- Eric Garner
- Charli xcx
Institutions
- Time Out
- Geffen Records
- Dead Oceans
- Pulverised Records
- CAPERFLOWER
- Palace Creek
- Maverick
- Sacred Bones Records
- Glacial Pace
- Sony Music Entertainment
Locations
- New Jersey
- Houston
- Nigeria
- United States
- France
- United Kingdom
- Pacific Northwest
Sources
- Quartz —