As we gear up for the new year, we’re taking a look at what’s to come in 2026. To start, we’re listing out our most anticipated albums of 2026. Stay tuned for our list of the most anticipated tours, as well as the batch of artists we think are bound for a big year. See our full recap of last year in our 2025 Annual Report.
Man, oh, man… it seems like it was only a few weeks ago that we were ranking our favorite albums and songs of 2025 — because it was! But, as is the case every January, it’s finally time to stop looking back and focus our gaze on what’s to come.
And what is to come? Well, a whole lot! Just within the next few months, music fans will be treated to new albums from folks like Zach Bryan, A$AP Rocky, Megadeth, Poppy, Charli XCX, Converge, and Gorillaz, just to name a few. Plus, we’ve got reason to suspect new music is on the way from the likes of The Cure, Alabama Shakes, BTS, Madonna, Nine Inch Nails, and Lana Del Rey, among others.
Of course, the next 12 months will surely have a whole host of surprise releases, breakout efforts, and sleeper hits. As of today, though, these are our most anticipated albums of 2026, arranged in chronological order. Read on for the full list, and stay tuned for more features covering the coming year, including our most anticipated tours and what artists we think you should watch out for in 2026.
— Jonah Krueger
Editorial Coordinator
 include releases from Charli XCX, Zach Bryan, The Cure, and A$AP Rocky.){kind=link}