The ranking of the 33 best albums released so far in 2026, according to Consequence magazine

Mid-year rankings and final results. After offering you Stereogum's top 50 of the best albums released so far, we now give space to Consequence's “Mid-Year Report 2026” with its selection of the 33 best albums of 2026 released so far. “2026 has been a pretty eventful year in almost every way so far,” the magazine points out in the introduction. “Musically, at least, it's been a decidedly positive move. From big pop releases to new indie darlings, this first part of the year has given us music nerds plenty of material to sink our teeth into… In pop, rising names like RAYE have cemented their place in the current landscape, while artists like Robyn have made a triumphant return. Favorites Indie acts like Fcukers, Lip Critic and Mandy, Indiana danced through the chaos, while country stars like Zach Bryan, Sturgill Simpson and Kacey Musgraves showed they were still at the top. Harder lineups, including Converge and Neurosis, provided some much-needed catharsis, while MCs like Denzel Curry and his project The Scythe rapped with fury.”

Here is the ranking of the 33 best albums released so far in 2026, according to Consequence (full report here).

33. Softcult - When a Flower Doesn't Grow
32. Wendy Eisenberg - Wendy Eisenberg
31. Avalon Emerson & The Charm - Written Into Changes
30. Morgan Nagler - I've Got Nothing To Lose, And I'm Losing It
29. Mon Rovîa - Bloodline
28. Arlo Parks - Ambiguous Desire
27. Namasenda - Limbo
26. Deante' Hitchcock - Junkie In The Sun
25. Poison Ruïn - Hymns From The Hills
24. Friko - Something Worth Waiting For
23. Courtney Barnett - Creature Of Habit
22. Sturgill Simpson - Mutiny After Midnight
21. Fcukers - Ö
20. Robyn - Sexistential
19. Puscifer - Normal Isn't
18. Gorillaz - The Mountain
17. Genesis Owusu - REDSTAR WU & THE WORLDWIDE SCOURGE
16. Nine Inch Noize - Nine Inch Noize
15. Mandy, Indiana - URGH
14. RAYE - This Music May Contain Hope
13. Lip Critic - Theft World
12. Jill Scott - To Whom This May Concern
11. Converge - Love Is Not Enough
10. Isaiah Rashad - IT'S BEEN AWFUL
9. My New Band Believe - My New Band Believe
8. Dua Saleh - Of Earth & Wires
7. Zach Bryan - With Heaven On Top
6. Mitski - Nothing's About To Happen To Me
5. The Scythe - Strictly 4 The Scythe
4. Kacey Musgraves - Middle Of Nowhere
3. Iceage - For Love Of Grace & The Hereafter
2. Ratboys - Singin' To An Empty Chair
1. Neurosis - An Undying Love For A Burning World