‘Fun, propulsive, full of queer joy’: readers’ favorite albums of 2026 up to now, from Muna to Raye and J Cole | Music

Muna – Dancing on the Wall

The album is a enjoyable, punchy dance file that can undoubtedly be the soundtrack of my summer time. It’s propulsive, filled with queer pleasure, cheeky lyricism, and relatable insecurities as they ruminate on “being past their prime” as pop stars of their early 30s. It will undoubtedly be a tremendous reside present and is a testomony to the significance of artists taking breaks, going out and residing and resting earlier than coming again with new issues to say and experiences to element. Jane Tytla, New England, US

Maya Hawke – Maitreya Corso

Maya Hawke’s Maitreya Corso is the primary album of this yr that jogged my memory of the enjoyment of simply getting actually right into a file. I’ve seen it dismissed as twee in critiques however it looks like a little bit of a (most likely mildly sexist) disservice to the file. It undoubtedly has a form of breathless high quality to it, however that, to me, feels rather more like an perception into somebody’s stream-of-consciousness internal monologue reasonably than any manic pixie dream woman artifice. There’s a lot nice writing on right here. Some of it feels comfortingly akin to the (not-so-) nonsense poems I learn as a toddler. Some of it’s jarring and uncomfortable. The file covers a whole lot of less-common songwriting floor – residing within the shadow of an older sibling; discovering that the profession pipe-dream isn’t essentially fulfilling. I’m additionally obsessive about feminine songwriters displaying their much less palatable behaviours and resisting sanitising or easy it-girling their feelings. When you get to the understated romance of Dream House, it actually does really feel such as you’ve lived by means of a season of Hawke’s private progress and realized a load of her life classes. Kate Koell, Leeds

Arlo Parks – Ambiguous Desire

I’ve been a fan of Arlo Parks from the beginning, and was fortunate sufficient to see her open for Clairo in 2022. But each facet of this new album hit the mark for me. I really like the feel, the sound, the lyrics. You can inform it’s all expertly produced and carried out. But I believe what makes it the most effective of the yr for me is the emotional vulnerability, and that it doesn’t ask you to have a decision to the difficult emotions it presents. Just stewing in these emotions makes the soulful dance beats hit even tougher. Sam, Missouri, US

Jalen Ngonda – Doctrine of Love

Jalen Ngonda’s Doctrine of Love is a triumphant masterpiece of recent soul. Soaking within the legendary grit of Nineteen Sixties Detroit and Chicago, Ngonda weaves gospel-kissed backing vocals, lush orchestral preparations and cinematic horns. His staggering falsetto breathes contemporary, compassionate life into timeless traditions, delivering a completely electrifying, classic vibe – and but it was launched in 2026. David Kelly, Glasgow

Aldous Harding – Train on the Island

For me, a return to kind after her earlier album. Hypnotic voice, obscure lyrics and nice tunes and musicianship. All the issues I really like about her. Sadly it didn’t even chart, however she nonetheless sells out live performance venues. I first stumbled on Aldous Harding when a good friend of mine invited me to a gig again in 2016 at Crofters Rights in Bristol. It was solely a small stage behind a pub, however she had a form of magnetic, mysterious charisma and likewise a really dry wit. She additionally managed to do a fairly magnificent model of Wuthering Heights. I fell in love along with her music instantly and she or he has continued to launch charming music ever since; the which means of a few of her songs is troublesome to decipher, which solely provides to the magic! I’ve seen her one other 4 occasions since that first gig (all in Bristol, a metropolis that she holds pricey as she has recorded albums there) and I’ve by no means identified an artist who can transfix her viewers in the way in which she does. In a room of hundreds, you possibly can hear a pin drop! Richard Hill, Frome, Somerset

Ellie O’Neill – Time of Fallow

There has been a whole lot of music this yr however the one file that actually stood out and stayed on heavy rotation is Time of Fallow by Ellie O’Neill. As a debut album, it’s extremely effectively realised and there’s not a wasted second. Anna with the Silver Arrow is maybe the instant earworm, however it’s Bohemia with its lightning crash percussion that gives the centrepiece. Couple this along with her superb reside efficiency and she or he’s one to keep watch over. For followers of Laura Marling, Nick Drake. Paul Thomas, Hemel Hempstead

Tyler Ballgame – For the First Time, Again

Tyler Ballgame’s For the First Time, Again pulls off that particular trick of sounding like some timeless piece of old fashioned Americana, regardless of solely being launched earlier this yr. Tyler’s voice completely drips with emotion – his fragile and idiosyncratic falsetto instantly makes you sit up and take discover. The album begins extremely robust out of the gates with each the title observe and I Believe In Love changing into instantaneous earworms, however there’s severe depth past, with clever and weak songwriting displayed all through. I had the good pleasure of seeing him play reside on the Brudenell Social Club in Leeds final month, and it was unbelievable to see how grateful Tyler gave the impression to be to share his expertise with the world. Hywel Sedgwick, West Yorkshire

Flea – Honora

It’s laborious for me to choose a favorite album of the yr, however it’s simple to choose my favorite shock of the yr, and that may be Honora, the debut solo album by Red Hot Chili Peppers bassist Flea. I’m not an enormous RHCP fan, however I’m a fan of Flea’s bass mastery, so I used to be intrigued when he introduced that his album would have an electrical jazz fusion vibe – which is all true, and he additionally returned to his childhood instrument of the trumpet and practised laborious for the previous few years. On paper, this shouldn’t work, particularly his cowl model of Funkadelic’s Maggot Brain, however that observe seems to be attractive, and the entire album is one heat, beautiful hear that also challenges your ears. Matthew Reed Baker, Massachusetts, USA

Boards of Canada – Inferno

Where do I even start? It’s their first launch in 13 years and their first launch since I grew to become a fan in 2022 so I used to be extraordinarily excited to listen to new music from them. I heard it for the primary time at a file retailer listening occasion the place I used to be in a position to get unique merch and I purchased the vinyl on the spot. And it’s extraordinarily good! Each tune on Inferno actually feels prefer it had a lot effort put into it, and regardless of a whole lot of them having a little bit of a darkish environment, a few of them are so groovy it’s ridiculous. I extremely doubt anything this yr will beat it. Athanasios Trochalakis, Washington, US

Kneecap – Fenian

I really like the brand new Kneecap album! I am keen on hardcore, aggressive, dirty hip-hop, however a whole lot of the older stuff by different artists has content material that makes it fairly laborious to take heed to, particularly its homophobia (I’m transgender so this issues rather a lot to me). I’m so pleased to have a brand new, aggressive, hardcore, devil-may-care hip-hop album that I can stand with my complete coronary heart! The aggressive supply and barely off-kilter beat of Gael Phonics makes it the spotlight for me. Lily, Florida, US

Gorillaz – The Mountain

My favorite new album of 2026 is The Mountain by Gorillaz. Like many nice albums it reveals itself over a number of listens. Conceptually and lyrically, the album cements Damon Albarn’s legacy as a real nice songwriter. There is an Indian really feel all through, with the opening observe laying down a marker which is picked up on repeatedly, if not essentially on each observe. The Happy Dictator and Orange County showcase Albarn’s lyrical skill and expertise for writing a catchy tune respectively. Created within the shadow of their fathers’ deaths, the album displays upon mortality on a private but additionally international stage, with the album nearer The Sad God wearily and poignantly reflecting on the place we’re and the place we appear to be heading. Seeing the album carried out reside was an unexpectedly transferring expertise, with Jamie Hewlett’s animations reminding us that this can be a partnership of equals in a category of their very own. Ed Wilkinson, Malvern

Raye – This Music May Contain Hope

For sheer likability, for chutzpah, for the fully-present persona of its maker, nothing’s touching Raye’s This Music May Contain Hope as my album of the yr up to now. I’ve been a fan of hers since catching her 2024 Glastonbury set on TV, with out actually being a fan of her music till now. This album adjustments that, and it’s an album: a start-to-finish, undeniably lengthy hear that nearly instantaneously buoys the day like a life raft inflating. It’s a file with big heart-on-sleeve and optimistic intent in title. It’s a present of her character, humour and lightweight, very gratefully obtained these previous few gruelling months. Oh, and it’s marvellously written, performed and produced and oof, can she sing! Nick Black, London

Brian Jackson – Now More Than Ever

Brian Jackson was the primary musical and artistic accomplice of Gil Scott-Heron all through the Seventies when Gil was the voice of black America, giving vent to its anger and alienation. This superb album, launched 15 years after the dying of Gil, sees Brian lastly get spherical to not solely celebrating his musical accomplice by placing himself again into the story, however subtly updating a few of the classics for as we speak’s troubled occasions. Over three LPs or two CDs we get reworkings of such landmark classics as The Revolution Will Not Be Televised, Winter in America, The Bottle and Home is Where the Hatred Is; all aided by a number of up to date soul, funk, membership and hip-hop stars reminiscent of Omar, Moodymann and Rahsaan Patterson. Should be the soundtrack of the summer time! Gerry Hassan, Kirkcudbright, Dumfries and Galloway

The Cribs – Selling a Vibe

They’ve been an retro cult band for almost 20 years, however Selling a Vibe by the Cribs is their greatest set since 2007’s Men’s Needs, Women’s Needs, Whatever. It showcases a band evolving into life of their 40s, concerning private and business turmoil and displaying that their brotherly bond is unbreakable. The Jarmans actually are nationwide treasures. Chris, London

J Cole – The Fall-Off

It took just a few listens to actually begin to perceive this album. Arguably, it’s a bit overlong however, after residing with this assortment for just a few months, it grows and grows till the details change into simple: J Cole is without doubt one of the most versatile rappers alive and actually takes time to craft his lyrics and the melodies and beats that reside collectively. Pure idea, and he’s absolutely not retiring anytime quickly. Hugh Ogilvie, Oxfordshire