We are always listening to what’s next, but we’re only human, and these are the records that are stuck on repeat. We’re highlighting some of 2026’s most outstanding albums to date by rounding up the ones that have earned high scores and Best New Music designations with a quick list of RIYLs (that’s Recommended If You Like) and links to our coverage.

Unlike our year-end lists, this one is organized in reverse chronological order. To help you keep track of the year’s best music, we’ll be updating it periodically throughout the remainder of 2026.

April

Motion Ward

Cancer House : The Moth

RIYL: Early Day Miners; Low; Bedhead; patience; panpsychism, dejection; bummer jams

Listen/Buy: Amazon | Apple Music | Bandcamp | Spotify | Tidal

Rough Trade

My New Band Believe : My New Band Believe

RIYL: Folk; prog; folk-prog; fantasy novels; slipping quotes from pop songs into daily conversation; the Windmill scene

Listen/Buy: Amazon | Apple Music | Bandcamp | Rough Trade | Spotify | Tidal

Self-released

Los…