‘Fun, propulsive, full of weird joy’: Readers’ favorite albums of 2026 so far, from Mona to Ray and J. Cole | music

Mona – Dancing on the wall

The album is a fun and exciting dance record that will definitely be the soundtrack to my summer. It’s a propulsive film, full of quirky joy, cheeky lyricism, and relatable insecurities as they contemplate “past their prime” as pop stars in their early 30s. It will undoubtedly be an amazing live show and is a testament to the importance of artists taking breaks, getting out, living and resting before coming back with new things to say and elaborate experiences. Jane Tytla, New England, United States

Maya Hawk – Maitreya Kurusu

Maya Hawk’s album Maitreya Corso is the first album of the year that reminded me of the joy of making a record. I’ve seen it dismissed as twee in reviews but it seems like it kind of hurts the record (maybe slightly). Sure it has a sort of breathless quality to it, but to me this feels more like an insightful look into someone’s stream-of-consciousness inner monologue rather than any crazy dream girl shtick. There’s a lot of great writing here. Some of them are comfortably similar to the (not so) nonsense poems I read as a child. Some of them are annoying and uncomfortable. The record covers a lot of less familiar songwriting territory – living in the shadow of Big Brother; Discovering that a dream career is not necessarily fulfilling. I’m also obsessed with female songwriters who effortlessly demonstrate their less agreeable behaviors and resist the catharsis or manipulation of their emotions. When you get to the simple romance of the Dream House, you’ll truly feel like you’ve lived through a season of Hawke’s personal growth and learned many of her life lessons. Kate Coyle, Leeds

Arlo Parks – Mysterious Desire

I’ve been a fan of Arlo Parks since the beginning, and I was lucky enough to see her open for Clairo in 2022. But every aspect of this new album worked for me. I love the texture, the sound and her words. You can tell it’s all been expertly produced and executed. But I think what makes it the best of the year for me is the emotional vulnerability, and that it doesn’t require you to have a solution to the complex emotions it presents. Just simmering in those emotions makes the emotional dance rhythms more difficult. Sam, Missouri, United States

Galen Ngonda – The Doctrine of Love

Galen Ngonda’s The Doctrine of Love is a triumphant masterpiece of the modern spirit. Steeped in the legendary grit of 1960s Detroit and Chicago, Ngonda weaves together gospel-tinged backing vocals, rich orchestral arrangements and cinematic horns. His stunning falsetto sound breathes new, soulful life into timeless traditions, delivering a very vintage and evocative atmosphere – yet released in the year 2026. David Kelly, Glasgow

Aldous Hardinge – The Train on the Island

For me, it’s a return to form after her previous album. Hypnotic voice, mysterious lyrics, wonderful melodies and music. All the things I love about her. Sadly it didn’t even chart, but it still sold out concert venues. I first met Aldous Harding when a friend invited me to a party in 2016 at Crofters Right in Bristol. It was just a small stage in the back of a pub, but she had a kind of magnetic, mysterious charisma and also a very dry wit. You also managed to do a very nice version of Wuthering Heights. I instantly fell in love with her music and has continued to release captivating music ever since. The meanings of some of her songs are difficult to decipher, which adds to their magic! I’ve seen her four more times since that first gig (all in Bristol, a city she cherishes because she recorded albums there) and I’ve never known an artist who can wow her audience the way she does. In a room full of thousands, you can hear a pin drop! Richard Hill, Frome, Somerset

Eli O’Neill – Dead Time

There was a lot of music this year but the one record that really stood out and stayed in heavy rotation was Time of Fallow by Ellie O’Neill. As a debut album, it was extremely well realized and there wasn’t a second wasted. Anna with the Silver Arrow may be the immediate earworm, but it’s Bohemia with its lightning rhythm that provides the centerpiece. Pair this with her amazing live performances and she is one to keep an eye on. For fans of Laura Marling, Nick Drake. Paul Thomas, Hemel Hempstead

Tyler Bolgem – For the first time, again

Tyler Ballgame’s For the First Time, Again pulls off that special trick of sounding like a timeless piece of old-school Americana, despite only being released earlier this year. Tyler’s voice is full of emotion – his crisp, distinct sound makes you sit up and take notice immediately. The album starts off incredibly strong out of the gates with both the title track and I Believe In Love becoming instant earworms, but there’s serious depth behind it, with smart, vulnerable songwriting on display throughout. I had the absolute pleasure of seeing him play live at Brudenell Social Club in Leeds last month, and it was amazing to see how grateful Tyler is to share his talent with the world. Hywell Sidgwick in West Yorkshire

Flea – Honora

It’s hard for me to pick a favorite album of the year, but it’s easy to pick my favorite surprise of the year, which is Honora, the debut solo album from Red Hot Chili Peppers guitarist Flea. I’m not a huge RHCP fan, but I admire Flea’s mastery of the bass, so I was intrigued when he announced that his album would have an electric jazz feel – which is all true, he’s also returned to his childhood instrument of the trumpet and has been practicing hard over the past few years. On paper, this shouldn’t work, especially his cover version of Funkadelic’s “Maggot Brain,” but this track turns out to be great, and the entire album is a warm, wonderful listen that still challenges your ears. Matthew Reed Baker, Massachusetts, USA

Councils of Canada – Hell

Where do I even start? It’s their first release in 13 years and their first release since I became a fan in 2022, so I was very excited to hear new music from them. I first heard it at a record store listening party where I was able to get exclusive merchandise and immediately bought the vinyl. And it’s very good! Every song on Inferno sounds like a lot of effort has been put into it, and although a lot of them have a slightly dark atmosphere, some of them are so great that they’re ridiculous. I highly doubt anything else this year will beat it. Athanasios Trochalakis, Washington, United States

Patella – Fenian

I love the new Kneecap album! I adore extreme, aggressive, dark hip-hop, but a lot of other artists’ older stuff has content that makes it very difficult to listen to, especially homophobia (I’m trans, so that matters to me a lot). I’m so happy to have a new, aggressive, hardcore, Devil My Care hip-hop album that I can stand on with my whole heart! Gael Phonics’ aggressive delivery and slightly off-kilter rhythm make it a highlight for me. Lilly, Florida, United States

Gorillaz – Mountain

My favorite new album of 2026 is The Mountain by Gorillaz. Like many great albums, it reveals itself through multiple listens. Both conceptually and lyrically, the album cements Damon Albarn’s legacy as a true great songwriter. There’s an Indian feel throughout, with the opening track setting a mark that’s picked up repeatedly, if not necessarily on every track. The Happy Dictator and Orange County showcase Albarn’s singing ability and talent for writing a catchy tune respectively. Created in the shadow of the death of their parents, the album reflects on the deaths on a personal level but also on a global level, with The Sad God poignantly and poignantly pondering where we are and where we seem to be headed. Seeing the album played live was an unexpectedly moving experience, with Jamie Hewlett’s animation reminding us that this is a partnership of equals in a class of their own. Ed Wilkinson, Malvern

Ray – This music may contain hope

For sheer likability, chutzpah, and the complete personality of its maker, nothing touches Raye’s This Music May Contain Hope as my album of the year yet. I’ve been a fan of hers ever since I watched Glastonbury 2024 on TV, without being an openly fan of her music until now. This album changes that, and it’s an album: an undeniably long listen from start to finish, which revives the day almost instantly like a life raft inflating. It’s a record with a giant bent on the heart and an upbeat intent in the title. It’s a gift of her personality, humor and light, and she has received it with great gratitude over the last few exhausting months. Oh, it’s beautifully written, played and produced, and oh, can it sing! Nick Black, London

Brian Jackson – Now more than ever

Brian Jackson was Gil Scott-Heron’s main musical and creative partner throughout the 1970s when Gil was the voice of black America, giving vent to its anger and isolation. This stunning album, released 15 years after Gil’s death, sees Brian finally not only celebrating his musical partner by putting himself back in the story, but also subtly updating some classics for today’s turbulent times. Over the course of three LPs and two CDs, we get reworkings of such iconic classics as “The Revolution Won’t Be Televised”, “Winter in America”, “The Bottle” and “The House Where the Hate Is”; All with the help of a group of contemporary soul, funk, club and hip-hop stars like Omar, Muddiman and Rahsan Patterson. It should be the soundtrack to the summer! Gerry Hassan, Kirkcudbright, Dumfries and Galloway

Children’s Beds – Phoebe Sale

They’ve been an unfashionable band for nearly 20 years, but Selling a Vibe by the Cribs is their best collection since 2007’s Men’s Needs, Women’s Needs, Whatever. It showcases a band evolving into life in their 40s, touching on personal and business turmoil and showing that their brotherly bond is unbreakable. The Teutons are truly national treasures. Chris, London

J. Cole – The Fall

It took a few listens to really begin to understand this album. It’s arguably a bit long, but after living with this group for a few months, it grows and grows until the facts become undeniable: J. Cole is one of the most diverse rappers alive and takes the time to craft his lyrics, melodies, and beats that live together. Pure concept, and he certainly won’t be retiring any time soon. Hugh Ogilvie, oxfordshire