Because the 12 months progresses, we glance to the long run to guess on the upcoming albums from our favourite artists and preach as to what their new sounds will reveal. We hungrily devour press releases to search for producers and collaborators, and our eyes relaxation on the screens as new music are launched as official singles or lyric movies. Listed here are a non-exhaustive listing of albums that our editors have been anticipating from the primary a part of this 12 months.
Människobarn by Dina Ögon
Launch Date: February 6, 2026
In 2023 and 2024, Sweden’s Dina Ögon issued again-to-again albums that had been amongst my favourite releases in recent times. The Stockholm quartet are sometimes described as a retro-soul or psych-pop band, however there’s a lot extra nuance happening, notably of their creative songcraft. Tucked into their elegant and superbly recorded grooves are eccentric chord shifts, attractive harmonies, and melodic particulars which set them in a league of their very own. Additionally, they sing solely in Swedish. Led by its nimble title minimize, Dina Ögon’s fourth LP, Människobarn, got here out February 6. – Timothy Monger
Jazz Gone Dub by Gaudi
Launch Date: February 6, 2026
The multi-instrumentalist/ producer spent years making a fusion that intersects and of explores connections between jazz and dub. – Thom Jurek
The Apple Tree Below the Sea by hemlocke springs
Launch Date: February 13, 2026
The early singles and debut EP from hemlocke springs harkened again to a sort of early MTV-era quirkiness that we have not heard a lot of shortly — individuals in contrast the singer to Kate Bush, however I heard extra Toni Basil or Cyndi Lauper. After a quick hiatus, she began releasing new singles final 12 months, and a debut album is on the horizon in February. Going by the songs which have come out to date, the apple tree underneath the ocean looks like it is going to be a bit extra mature however no much less theatrical and artistic than earlier tunes like “girlfriend” and “enknee1.” – Paul Simpson
Important Spark [Music Of Kenny Wheeler] by Dave Holland, Norma Winstone, and London Vocal Challenge
Launch Date: February 20, 2026
The bassist and vocalist staff with the London Vocal Challenge in a program of late composer Kenny Wheeler’s all however underheard vocal music. – Thom Jurek
Freeway to Heavenly by Heavenly
Launch Date: February 27, 2026
Though I used to be admittedly late to the group, I latched onto this pillar of late-’80s/early-’90s indie pop at some extent after I was in an alienated, injured frame of mind, perhaps much more so than in my teenagers (after they had been really making information). Their disarming 1993 anthem “P.U.N.Ok. Woman” went on repeat-play and stays one among my favourite songs. Even nonetheless, I can solely think about the thrill of OG followers and twee people when it was introduced that they had been returning this 12 months with their first album in 30 years. Regardless of figuring out that members remained lively in different initiatives over the many years, I wanted proof of life, and so they delivered it in spades with lead single “Portland City,” a bop about eager to belong that I ranked as my favourite single of 2025. They’ve since adopted it up with the musically elated and lyrically regretful “Excuse Me,” with its classic “ooh-oohs” and repeated “Tousled once more” additionally hitting dwelling. The remainder of the album arrives on February 27. As Heavenly chief and Skep Wax Data co-founder Amelia Fletcher wrote on a thank-you be aware with my current Bandcamp t-shirt order, “Keep riot twee!” – Marcy Donelson
Of the Earth by Shabaka
Launch Date: March 6, 2026
Written, carried out, produced and combined solely by Shabaka, the recording facilities on the alto flute, whereas additionally returning to saxophone. – Thom Jurek
One thing Price Ready For by Friko
Launch Date: April 24, 2026
Chicago’s Friko stormed their technique to the highest of my 2024 year-end listing with a debut album that burnt brighter than any this decade; it is no shock, then, that their 2026 sophomore, One thing Price Ready For, is high of my watchlist this 12 months. Recorded final summer season with veteran producer John Congleton (Erykah Badu, Lana Del Rey, Swans, amongst others), the set was teased earlier this month through folksy lead single “Seven Levels,” forward of an April launch. The group’s greatest work soars like a seaside flare and is unapologetic in its tenderness; here is hoping they’ve crafted one thing that may dwell as much as its formidable title. – David Crone
13 by White Denim
Launch Date: April 24, 2026
Indie prog jam noodlists White Denim have all the time been a little bit of an outlier in no matter their style is. Their stuff is simply too tuneful and hook-oriented to be strictly a jam band, too technical to be uncooked indie rock, and too electrified to be people, however by some means they make it work. Probably enervated by Geese‘s current avant kookiness, the lead single “Lock and Key” begins with a sound conflict, and evolves right into a brash and wild guitar blast truthfully paying homage to Dr. Tooth and the Electrical Mayhem (and that is in regards to the highest praise I may give anybody). This is to hoping the remainder of the document follows swimsuit with uptempo raves and their precision start-stop music buildings. – Zac Johnson
In Instances of Dragons by Tori Amos
Launch Date: Could 1, 2026
There’s just one album I would like to listen to this 12 months and it is Tori Amos’ upcoming 18th (!!!) album In Instances of Dragons. Judging by the accessible PR, it is slated to be politically-charged to replicate the present state of the U.S. This is hoping it leans extra towards the anger and chunk of American Doll Posse or the sweeping scope of Scarlet’s Stroll versus the comparatively tempered Native Invader. – Neil Z. Yeung
