This article has been imported from chorus.fm for discussion. All of the forum rules still apply. We are once again halfway through the year, and that means it’s time to reflect on the best albums of the year (so far). Below, you will find both our combined staff top 30, as well as individual lists from our contributors and moderators. And, as always, we hope you’ll find something new to love. Note: You can share your own list in our music forum. The Top Albums of 2026 (So Far) Olivia Rodrigo – You Seem Pretty Sad for a Girl in LoveDeath Cab for Cutie – I Built You a TowerJoyce Manor – I Used To Go To This BarThe Maine – Joy Next DoorThe Format – Boycott HeavenHolly Humberstone – Cruel WorldSuper Sometimes – Show the World What’s UnderneathHilary Duff – Luck… or SomethingAmerican Football – LP4MUNA – Dancing on the WallNoah Kahan – The Great DivideKoyo – Barely HereStatic Dress – Injury EpisodeThe Academy Is… – Almost ThereNew Found Glory – Listen Up!Zach Bryan – With Heaven On TopHarry Styles – Kiss All the Time. Disco, OccasionallyJohnny Blue Skies – Mutiny After MidnightSnail Mail – RicochetI Am the Avalanche – The Horror ShowAdorn – Let Love RemainBleachers – Everyone for Ten MinutesKacey Musgraves – Middle of NowhereFootballhead – Weight of the TruthIsaiah Rashad – It’s Been AwfulMumford & Sons – PrizefighterDermot Kennedy – The Weight of the WoodsMaisie Peters – FlorescenceVince Staples – Cry BabySkrillex – Soma The Playlist Looking for an easy way to check out all of the albums in our top thirty? We’ve got a playlist for that. You’ll find one on Apple Music and one on Spotify with one great song from each great album. The Nerd Stat Stuff Our final compiled list was put together using our ranking algorithm. There were 8 contributors and 121 unique albums across all of the lists. In total, 40 albums out of the 114 were on more than one list with the number one album appearing on 5 of the 8 lists. Contributor Lists Jason Tate Super Sometimes – Show the World What’s UnderneathHolly Humberstone – Cruel WorldMUNA – Dancing on the WallFootballhead – Weight of the TruthThe Academy Is… – Almost ThereThe Maine – Joy Next DoorStatic Dress – Injury EpisodeThe Format – Boycott HeavenA Wilhelm Scream – Cheap HeatNew Found Glory – Listen Up!The All-American Rejects – SandboxDeath Cab for Cutie – I Built You a TowerMaisie Peters – FlorescenceBleachers – Everyone for Ten MinutesI Am the Avalanche – The Horror ShowKoyo – Barely HereOlivia Rodrigo – You Seem Pretty Sad for a Girl in LoveNiall Horan – Dinner PartyHillary Duff – Luck… or somethingHarry Styles – Kiss All the Time. Disco, OccasionallyStory of the Year – A.R.S.O.NZach Bryan – With Heaven on TopNoah Kahan – The Great DivideTigers Jaw – Lost on YouYoung the Giant – Victory GardenNVM – PostictalDonovan Woods – Squander Your GiftsAmerican Football – LP4Joyce Manor – I Used to Go to This BarAdorn – Let Love Remain My favorite album of the year so far matches up with my most played: Super Sometimes. It’s an album that reminds me of summer vacation, fresh cut grass, and an open road of endless possibilities with nothing to do except get sun burned and get my heart broken. A reminder that pop-punk lives on. And, it just makes me happy as hell to listen to. The Stats: For the first half of the year, I’ve listened to 942 albums, 383 artists, and 8,466 songs (15,130 scrobbles). My most played album of the year so far is Super Sometimes’ Show the World’s What’s Underneath. And, my most played artist so far is Green Day. If you’d like to follow more of my listening habits, please subscribe to my newsletter or check out my blog. Adam Grundy Olivia Rodrigo – you seem pretty sad for a girl so in loveBroadside – Nowhere, At LastThe Format – Boycott HeavenGreywind – Severed Heart CityRatboys – Singin’ To An Empty ChairSocial Distortion – Born To KillThe Leaving – Ultimate BuzzKoyo – Barely HereEvanescence – SanctuarySuper Sometimes – Show The World What’s UnderneathSleeping With Sirens – An Ending In ItselfCharlotte Sands – SatelliteSnail Mail – RicochetJohnny Blue Skies & The Dark Clouds – Mutiny After MidnightThe Maine – Joy Next DoorPONY – Clearly CursedMUNA – Dancing On The WallNew Found Glory – Listen Up!Story of the Year – A.R.S.O.N.Seafret – Sea Of EmotionAmerican Football – American Football (4)I Am The Avalanche – The Horror ShowBleachers – Everyone For Ten MinutesThe Academy Is… – Almost ThereYoung The Giant – Victory GardenMetric – Romanticize The DiveViolet Grohl – Be Sweet To MeGorillaz – The MountainCharli XCX – Wuthering HeightsMumford & Sons – Prizefighter Craig Manning Holly Humberstone – Cruel WorldOlivia Rodrigo – You seem pretty sad for a girl so in loveThe Maine – Joy Next DoorThe Format – Boycott HeavenNoah Kahan – The Great DivideTenille Townes – The AcrobatHarry Styles – Kiss All the Time. Disco, Occasionally.The Academy Is – Almost ThereDeath Cab for Cutie – I Built You a TowerMaisie Peters – FlorescenceU2 – Days of Ash/Easter LilySwim Deep – HumKacey Musgraves – Middle of NowhereDonovan Woods – Squander Your GiftsDermot Kennedy – The Weight of the WoodsBleachers – Everyone for Ten MinutesSwitchfoot – Forever NowElla Langley – DandelionSuper Sometimes – Show the World What’s UnderneathBre Kennedy – The AlchemistMumford & Sons – PrizefighterMUNA – Dancing on the WallSam Barber – Broken ViewMegan Moroney – Cloud 9Hilary Duff – Luck… or Something Ashley Perez Lip Critic – Theft WorldNine Inch Nails & Boyz Noise – Nine Inch NoizeBrigitte Calls Me Baby – IrreversibleTVAM – RuinsHaute & Freddy – Big DisgraceGenesis Owusu – REDSTAR WU & THE WORLDWIDEGorillaz – The MountainHANABIE. – HOT TOPICRob Zombie – The Great SatanThe Twilight Sad – IT’S THE LONG GOODBYEBibi Club – Amaro Garrett Lemons Sam Barber – Broken ViewZach Bryan – With Heaven On TopNoah Kahan – The Great DivideBilmuri – Kinda HardAugust Burns Red – Season of SurrenderAdorn – Let Love RemainDermot Kennedy – The Weight of the WoodsHillary Duff – luck…or somethingKoyo – Barely HereMumford & Sons – PrizefighterJoyce Manor – I Used To Go To This BarLuke Combs – The Way I AmSkrillex – SomaNew Found Glory – Listen Up!American Football – LP4Death Cab for Cutie – I Built You a TowerCharli XCX – Wuthering Heights OSTConverge – Love Is Not EnoughThe Red Clay Strays – GratefulThe Maine – Joy Next DoorERRA – silence outlives the earthHaste the Day – DissenterStatic Dress – Injury EpisodeTy Myers – Heavy on the SoulJohnny Blue Skies – Mutiny After Midnightidle threat – you’ll forget the sunJohn Summit – CTRL EscapeMuna – Dancing on the WallKacey Musgraves – Middle of NowhereHolly Humberstone – Cruel World Aaron Mook Earl Sweatshirt, Mike, and Surf Gang – POMPEII // UTILITYfeeble little horse – bitknotear – RumspringaDeath Cab for Cutie – I Built You a TowerModest Mouse – An Eraser and a MazePorches – MASKNavy Blue – Sir RenderJoyce Manor – I Used to Go to This BarBoards of Canada – InfernoOlivia Rodrigo – you seem pretty sad for a girl so in loveA$AP Rocky – Don’t Be DumbVince Staples – Cry BabySnail Mail – Ricochet Dustin Harkins Olivia Rodrigo – you seem pretty sad for a girl so in loveHolly Humberstone – Cruel WorldAdorn – Let Love RemainRoc Marciano – 656The Saddest Landscape – Alone With HeavenIsaiah Rashad – It’s Been AwfulJohnny Blue Skies & the Dark Clouds – Mutiny After MidnightIVE – REVIVE+Baby Keem – Ca$inoChalk – CrystalpunkAvalon Emerson – Written into ChangesI Am The Avalanche – The Horror ShowSkrillex – SOMAJoyce Manor – I Used To Go To This BarKacey Musgraves – Middle of NowhereAngel Du$t – Cold 2 the TouchMadison Beer – locketZach Bryan – With Heaven On TopHarry Styles – Kiss All The Time. Disco, Occasionally.IDK – e.t.d.s. A Mixtape by .idk.Super Sometimes – Show the World What’s UnderneathGoose – Big Modern!Converge – Hum of HurtNine Inch Nails & Boyz Noise – Nine Inch NoizeMitski – Nothing’s About To Happen To MeRaye – This Music May Contain HopeFriko – Something Worth Waiting ForCa7riel & Paco Amoroso – Free SpiritsUnityTX – Somewhere, In Between…The Maine – Joy Next Door Trevor Graham Art School Girlfriend – Lean InAmerican Football – LP4Basement – WiredArlo Parks – Ambiguous DesireStatic Dress – Injury EpisodeWidowspeak – RosesExiter – Temporary EmptyFootballhead – Weight Of The TruthIsaiah Rashad – IT’S BEEN AWFULFeeble Little Horse – BitknotFazed On A Pony – swanVince Staples – Cry BabyHammok – When Does This Place Become Our SceneJoyce Manor – I Used To Go To This BarLucky – Biting HeelsTierra Whack – WHACK’S MUSEUMAction Bronson – Planet FrogHilary Duff – luck… or somethingDeath Cab For Cutie – I Built You A TowerNothing – a short history of decaySnail Mail – Ricochetred sun – At Their Very BestOakwood – Blurred AwayTiger’s Jaw – Lost On YouJadasea – Holly GroveRatboys – Singin’ To An Empty ChairThundercat – DistractedKnumears – DirectionsBoards Of Canada – InfernoHolly Humberstone – Cruel World more Not all embedded content is displayed here. 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My wife and I were talking about the 2 albums since I had em #1 and #2 as did you and I really think they're both just so ~perfect~ (as much as any album can be IMO) and picking between em is just finding that very slight preference in general sound. Can't be emphasized enough how deserving of praise both of those albums are.
I blogged about my list a lil bit because I felt like it and if you wanna yell at me in comments about things feel free Music: 2026 Midyear
Yeah, I was listening to the Olivia record again yesterday and feeling like it was a coin toss for me on which was number 1 and which was number 2. I felt good going to bat for Holly as my AOTY, since she doesn't have the same level of visibility, but I agree that both are just about perfect.
great year for music so far. here's my top 30. 1. MUNA - Dancing On The Wall 2. Ratboys - Singin' To An Empty Chair 3. The Highwomen - Live at The Gorge 2023 4. Olivia Rodrigo - you seem pretty sad for a girl so in love 5. Morgan Nagler - I've Got Nothing To Lose And I'm Losing It 6. Holly Humberstone - Cruel World 7. Ella Langley - Dandelion 8. Fantastic Cat - Cat Out Of Hell -- 9. Bleachers - everyone for ten minutes 10. Megan Maroney - Cloud 9 11. Konradsen - Hunt, Gather 12. STELLA LEFTY - Is This Heaven? EP 13. Vince Staples - Cry Baby 14. underscores - U 15. Slayyyter - WOR$T GIRL IN AMERICA 16. Kacey Musgraves - Middle of Nowhere 17. Johnny Blue Skies and The Dark Clouds - Mutiny After Midnight 18. Drake - ICEMAN 19. Deloyd Elze - Nellene EP 20. JJerome87 - The Canyon -- 21. Kevin Morby - Little Wide Open 22. Kim Petras - Detour 23. Madi Diaz - Enema Of The Garden State 24. Courtney Barnett - Creature Of Habit 25. Tiffany Day - HALO 26. Florence Road - Spring Forward EP 27. Jobi Riccio - Face The Feeling 28. Kelsey Lu - So Help Me God 29. Bon Iver - VOLUMES: ONE (SELECTIONS FROM MUSIC CONCERTS 2019-2023 BON IVER 6 PIECE BAND) 30. J. Cole - The Fall Off MUNA album needs to be higher, Jason's the only one who sees the vision.
I guess I’m not listening to as much new music as I thought I was. The only two records that came out this year that I’ve been listening to almost every day have been Seahaven’s S/T and Emarosa’s High Horse Heaven.
This year has been meh for new music so far for me. Flatliners, tigers jaw, and joyce have been my highlights
Really love these "check in" mid-year lists since it means there's plenty of time to see what I've missed thus far...Holly Humberstone seems like the logical starting point for me to begin my catch up.
The Matt-curated versions of Ella Langley and Megan Moroney's albums really clicking for you, it seems! I see basically no scenario in which you don't love the Holly Humberstone album.
Been working through releases on the other lists since they started trickling in the last few weeks. Excited to still discover things going forward.
First impressions of the new Holly Humberstone album were overwhelmingly positive. Feels like a unique blend of Carly Rae Jepsen + The Japanese House + some female singer-songwriter nuance that's prominent in Phoebe Bridgers' and Olivia Rodrigo's repertoire. Definitely will come back to this one a bunch. Thanks for the rec!
Any pop punk fan should have Chief State’s new album on their list. It’s as good as Super Sometimes! also a big fan of Cordiform and HummusVacuum for more in that genre.
Listened to a lot of these records and I’m surprised to not see the new Prince daddy on any of these lists. It’s by far an away the best emo record I’ve listened to this year.
at this point I'm fully in on both albums. the weak points are whatever but the peaks are so fantastic.
Great lists! In no order: Pipe Bomb - Hell Hole Super Sometimes - Show The World What’s Underneath ‘68 - They Are Survived Koyo - Barely Here New Found Glory - Listen Up! Guilt Trip - Armor Of Angels August Burns Red - Season Of Surrender Ghosting Merit - Belonging Toilet Rats - Black Cats Gvth Dvddy - GVDV Dead Pioneers - Wagon Burner Lavalove - Tan Lines Angel Du$t - Cold 2 The Touch Robyn - Sexistential
Love to see Ratboys so high! That's my AOTY so far. Always enjoyed them, but this and their last album have been a huge step forward for them.
Great lists. Surprised to not see some things that I've loved so far. The Dear Hunter - Sunya Girl Scout - Brink Remember Sports - The Refrigerator '68 - They Are Survived James Blake - Trying Times Courtney Barnett - Creature of Habit All Get Out - Side A (maybe this is considered last year but still, it's incredible and deserves love) Highly recommend the fans of Ratboys to check out Girl Scout and Remember Sports.
I am surprised by The Main on everyone's list. I adore them but am wildly disappointed with this release. I try to get to the other side but I just can't get there.