Top Albums of 2026 (So far)

Before we get into 2026., shout out a few 2025 albums that weren’t on our radar when we did out 2025 list.

Windows 95 & Gavriel: Awkward Dance Music

VAPORWAVE – SYNTHWAVE

Windows 95, one of the big dogs of Vaporwave, takes a stab at synthwave and the results are… surprisingly good. It’s way too easy to make derivate synthwave, especially in such a niche genre where everything has already been done. W95 manages to retain his own unique, mysterious style though. It’s great to hear a new take on a decade and half year old musical category.

Doves: Constellations For the Loney

ROCK

Ahhh, Moody, Depressing Indie Rock. I don’t really know how to describe this album. The best I can do is tell you to listen to the opening track, Renegade. It instantly became my favorite Doves track once I heard it. I hesitate to use the “C word”, but the best idea I can give it to call them a non-sucky, spacey version of Coldplay. Please, please, please don’t hold that against them. They’re way more talented.

KVB/Echo Instinct: Electronic Soundscapes For Post-Industrial Urban Decay

DARKWAVE – AMBIENT – MINIMALIST TECHNO

KVB: My new favorite darkwave band. Apparently they have a “side project” now called “Echo Instinct” which is…. just them. That seems to be the trend as of late now? Darkwave bands creating new monikers with the same members?

Either way. This album is like darkwave, meets Aphex Twin, meets vaporwave, meets techno. Sold yet? You should be! Go listen to this LP and then go back and listen to all things KVB.

Automatic: Is it Now?

POST PUNK – ROCK

A throwback to the “indie sleaze” electro dance rock of the aughts. I hate the term “aughts”. Let’s just call it the 2000’s. No? Well screw you. Anyways, this is heavier on that electro side similar to ADULT or Leipzig with a splash of early Gary Numan.

It’s dark. It’s weird and trippy. It’s fun.

And now, in no particular order, the top albums of 2026 (SO FAR)

NIN/Boys Noize

Industrial techno

File this one under “D” for “DUH”.

We’ve all been waiting for some new NIN music. Then we got the Tron Ares soundtrack which…. was okay. Don’t get me wrong. I was thankful for some new music, but it was slightly disappointing. Then out of nowhere came the NINoize album. Maybe we didn’t need new tracks. Maybe we just needed to hear earlier NIN albums with a new set of ears.

If you haven’t listened to it, please do so. It’s a great collection of live and studio remixed tracks that all flow together wonderfully and it really does scratch that “new music” itch.

Buzz Kill: Deep Hate

EBM

Calling this one an album may be a bit of a stretch as it’s just four tracks and four remixes of those tracks, but this guy’s so good that I’ll allow it.

A few years back I discovered an artist called Multiple Man which reminded me of early-to-mid 80’s Front 242. Then they disappeared and it left hole in my collection. Buzz Kill picks up that old school, stomp around the dancefloor in Doc Martin-EBM style. It’s a short album, but with tracks this good, I’ll take what I can get.

Boards of Canada: Inferno

IDM – TRIP HOP – DOWNTEMPO

This has to be the most reviewed album this year within a week of its release. A few of those reviewed called it disappointing, reverting to the same formula. They didn’t take risks, etc.

I disagree. I think in some cases these statements are true, but only to a degree. There are plenty of weird sounding tracks, the likes of which I haven’t heard before and they do make incremental steps in new directions, while still including some tracks of their traditional unique style. If the entire album was a throwback, I’d be complaining, but it isn’t. It’s an incremental change, a step, not a leap, into a new direction and I’m perfectly fine with that.

MICHAEL NAU: Tangle’s Way

FOLK – INDIE ROCK

Michael Nau is one of the most prolific indie rock artists out there. 2026 was no exception with the release of THREE different full length albums as well as an EP

It was hard to narrow down which album to recommend by the former Cotton Jones and Page France front man. They all contain his signature 60’s throwback, trippy, dark, psychedelic folk style. I would recommend all three, honestly.

I think Tangle’s Way has slightly more listenable tracks that appeal to a broader audience so maybe start off with this one.

TRAITRS: Possessor

Gothic rock

Some good old fashioned creepy, dark, sad bastard gothic rock with extra reverb on the guitars is what 2026 needs right now.

Great crooning. Great melodies. Great post-punk Hooky style bass work. Great mood. Great album. Very reminiscent of early Cure but with modern post-punk flair.