Recommendations of the Editorial team
The year 2026 is here – and it’s already becoming apparent that it will be a big year for music. Artists like A$AP Rocky, Megan Moroney and Hilary Duff are starting with a bang, with early releases in January and February.
One of the most anticipated projects in a long time awaits us in March. BTS releases their long-awaited comeback album after fans held their breath hoping for a big reunion after a long break.
And then there are other LPs that aren’t quite confirmed yet, but we’re confident. Madonna has dropped small hints that she’s been in the studio throughout 2025, and Peso Pluma has returned to action with a collaborative album with Tito Double P released at the end of the year – meaning he could be planning another full-length album. There’s a lot in the works, but here are the things we’re most excited about in 2026.
A$AP Rocky, Don’t Be Dumb – January 16th
In the eight years since A$AP Rockys last publication of an album, a lot happened in the life of the rapper who grew up in Harlem: he starred in two films not guilty convicted of aggravated assault with a firearm, co-chaired the Met Gala, served as creative director for Ray-Ban and PUMA, and, oh yeah, started a relationship (and started a family) with Rihanna. Exactly which of these life experiences went into “Don’t Be Dumb,” his long-awaited fourth album, is unclear.
The same goes for the final tracklist, although he supposedly with has collaborated with a variety of artists including Metro Boomin’, Tyler, the Creator, Mike Dean, Pharrell Williams, Morrissey, composer Danny Elfman and director Tim Burton, who helped design the artwork. Rocky blamed “leaks and sample releases” for the delay, but also gave listeners a promise: “I want to make the best album ever.” —Christian Hoard
Lucinda Williams, World’s Gone Wrong – January 20th
Lucinda Williams is one of those prolific artists who is always on the move. Following her 2023 album “Stories from a Rock n Roll Heart,” the singer-songwriter has drawn inspiration from the turbulent times of our time and is preparing for the release of “World’s Gone Wrong,” out January 20th.
The project, which is released on her own label Highway 20 Records, already boasts a brilliant line-up: Mavis Staples, Brittney Spencer and Norah Jones are there. —Julyssa Lopez
Joyce Manor, I used to go to this bar – January 30th
Joyce Manor have set the bar high for their seventh studio album, promising a project that shows the Californian pop-punk rockers at their best. Produced by Bad Religion co-founder Brett Gurewitz, “I used to go to this bar“ Borrows from some of the Golden State’s best rockers, including Weezer, Red Hot Chilli Peppers and Jane’s Addiction.
Their first releases, “Well, Whatever It Was” and “All My Friends Are So Depressed,” are striking examples of how far Joyce Manor have expanded their punk roots. Luckily, we don’t have to wait long for the new year to hear the rest of their California Dreamin’. —Maya Georgi
Charli XCX, Wuthering Heights – February 13th
Don’t call this a sequel to Brat. Charli XCX will release the soundtrack album in mid-February Wuthering Heights release, a complete concept album created for the upcoming film starring Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi.
The singer said she was “immediately inspired” after reading the script and subsequently wrote several songs for the project. “I wanted to delve into personality, into a world that felt undeniably raw, wild, sexual, gothic, British, tortured and full of real sentences, punctuation and grammar,” she wrote on Substack. We are ready to enter this world. —Tomas Mier
Hilary Duff, Luck…or something – February 20th
Hilary Duffs Return to music was with one warm welcome welcomes the anticipation for their highly anticipated fourth album Luck…Or Something increased even further. (People online have given Duff a herculean task: saving millennial pop). The multi-talented artist hasn’t released an album in 10 years and there’s a lot of catching up to do.
“I’m often asked how I can keep my head after growing up in this industry,” Duff said as she the album announced. “The album title is my answer to this question. It’s luck, but the “…or something like that” also has a lot of meaning. A lot of the things I experienced along the way are in there, and I feel like that’s what ultimately shaped me.”
A former child star who somehow escaped unscathed and reflects on her early years of fame? We are in. After all, their lead single “Mature” has been playing on loop since its release. —MG