Best Music of 2026... So Far

There were two big comebacks this year. The first was Harry Styles. It's not that he went anywhere. It's simply his previous album was four years ago. The British pop star used to be in a boy band and fans might have missed him. His latest record is Kiss All the Time. Disco, Occasionally (2026). It topped the Billboard charts for two, consecutive weeks. Yet, speaking of boy bands, the true comeback is BTS. The Bangtan Boys is probably the biggest K-pop group on the planet. They were the first, K-pop group to top the U.S. charts and the first to get Grammy nominations. Then, after dominating for nearly a decade, BTS broke up, although not really. They simply had to pause their music career due to mandatory military service in South Korea. That service has ended and they are back with Arirang (2026), which incorporates hip hop sound and has topped Billboard for three, consecutive weeks. Reportedly, it also was number-one in 25 countries, almost instantly becoming one of the best-selling albums of the year.

Probably right behind BTS, in terms of album sales, there's Drake. In mid-May, he released three, studio albums all on the same day. They were surprise releases. All three albums topped the Billboard charts. His album Iceman (2026) was number one. Drake's Habibti (2026) was number two, and his Maid of Honour (2026) was number three. Drake now becomes the first artist to hold the top three spots on the Billboard 200 concurrently. Iceman continued to stay at number-one for four, consecutive weeks. The other albums fell off. The critical response to the record hasn't been that great, but Drake should be used to that.

Other notable releases have been Noah Kahan's The Great Divide (2026), which was number-one for three, consecutive weeks this spring. Kahan was nominated for Best New Artist at the 66th Grammy Awards. He was recognized for his album Stick Season (2022). He topped the charts in the category of Americana music. He was nominated again for Best Country Duo/Group Performance at the 67th Grammys. He was nominated for the song "Cowboys Cry Too," which he made with Kelsea Ballerini. The Great Divide is another expression of Americana, folk and country, which could give him more recognition at the upcoming 69th Grammy Awards.

In terms of individual songs that have done well, it might not be a surprise that a country song has been blowing up the charts. Specifically, "Choosin' Texas' by Ella Langley has been number one for 10 non-consecutive weeks, not even Taylor Swift has done that, at least not this year. Langley's song has already been certified quadruple-platinum. Yet, it also has to be noted that Swift is the only artist to have multiple, different songs top the charts so far this year.

Folk / Country 

MY MESS, MY HEART, MY LIFE by Myles Smith
THE OFFERING by Oteil Burbridge and Lamar Williams Jr.

Rock / Alternative

FOR THE FIRST TIME, AGAIN by Tyler Ballgame
CAN'T TAKE MY STORY AWAY by Elles Bailey

Pop / Electronic

PETAL ROCK BLACK by Willow Smith
PISS IN THE WIND by Joji
PARIS IN THE SPRING by Alexis Taylor

R&B / Soul

THE ROMANTIC by Bruno Mars
ATLANTA by Gnarls Barkley
WHEN THE CITY SLEEPS by Alex Isley
CITYFOLK by Son Little
COSMIC OPERA ACT I & II by Labrinth

Rap / Hip Hop

REDSTAR WU & THE WORLDWIDE SCOURGE by Genesis Owusu
IT'S BEEN AWFUL by Isaiah Rashad
FROM TAKOMA WITH LOVE by Oddisee & Heno

Singles from Non-Listed Albums 

"I Knew It, I Knew You" by Taylor Swift
"Defiance, Ohio" by Iron & Wine
"No Consequences" by Jessie Ware
"Have To" by Brent Faiyaz