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

Charts and mid-year rundowns. Having already brought you Stereogum's top 50 of the best records released so far, we now turn to Consequence's "Mid-Year Report 2026" and its selection of the 33 best albums of 2026 so far. "2026 has so far been a rather eventful year from almost every point of view," the magazine notes in its introduction, "Musically, at least, it's been a decidedly positive movement. From big pop releases to new indie darlings, this first stretch of the year has given us music nerds plenty 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. Indie favorites like Fcukers, Lip Critic and Mandy, Indiana danced through the chaos, while country stars like Zach Bryan, Sturgill Simpson and Kacey Musgraves proved they're still at the top of their game. Heavier acts, including Converge and Neurosis, offered some much-needed catharsis, while MCs like Denzel Curry and his project The Scythe rapped with fury".

Here, then, is Consequence's ranking of the 33 best albums released so far in 2026 (full feature 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

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