Rolling Stone has just released its list of The Best Albums of 2026 So Far, an expansive roundup that tackles one of the inventive runs of albums from the past six months. For over half a year, music has shown both its best and ugliest sides, all defined by the canon events and culture surrounding it: political turmoil, insistent yearning, and the challenge to experiment with newer forms of music overall.
Rolling Stone compiled the best of the best, ranging from experimental rock duos wearing papier-mâché masks, digital bands taking the world by storm, country stars making a comeback, left-field rappers, and Olivia Rodrigo. The staff compiled 62 albums in total that have defined 2026 so far.
The Year’s Biggest Albums So Far
The albums on the list vary, but the biggest album that caught the attention of many was Olivia Rodrigo’s emotionally complex album you seem pretty sad for a girl so in love, which won over fans and longtime critics who only saw Rodrigo through a limited musical scope. On her latest album, she defied the odds, wrote stronger hooks, and delivered catchier melodies that stick around for days.
Moving on to even bigger catches, there is the iconic Gorillaz and their latest offering, The Mountain. The ringmaster of the project, Damon Albarn, explores grief through the lens of a traveler wanting to reach the summit. The album is told through its star-studded guest appearances and Albarn’s knack for sonic experimentation, allowing it to revel in its unpredictability.
Alternative and experimental rap have finally received their flowers on the list. Acts like Xaviersobased and Sideshow earned well-deserved placements for pushing the envelope of a genre that continues to evolve. Meanwhile, the return of veterans in their own respective genres like Boards of Canada and their latest album Inferno — their first album in 13 years — elevated ambient music once again, while Kim Gordon’s Play Me sees the former Sonic Youth bassist toy with trap music and push it into new territory.
Surprises and Questions
For a list this massive, there’s often the case of some questions and debate. There were a bunch of front-loaded rap albums, such as A$AP Rocky’s Don’t Be Dumb and J. Cole’s The Fall-Off. According to critics, both albums prove mainstream rap’s dire need for innovation, and neither offers many new ideas from these influential hitmakers of the 2010s. Meanwhile, Charlie Puth’s latest album fully embraced his cringey songwriting.
In Mosi Reeves’ review of Don’t Be Dumb, he mentions how Rocky’s album is “all told with charisma but lacking the kind of linguistic verve that animated past [Harlem] stars like Cam’ron and Big L.” Moreover, Reeves’ review of The Fall-Off stated that Cole himself “sounds like he’s still got shit to work out.” Moreover, Charlie Puth’s Whatever’s Clever had some significant flaws. Jon Dolan wrote in his review that the songs don’t “land” so much throughout the record.
You can visit the Rolling Stone website to check out the full list.
Frequently Asked Questions
Olivia Rodrigo’s latest album is titled you seem pretty sad for a girl so in love.
The ambient duo that just came back after a decade is Boards of Canada. They released Inferno 13 years after their last release.
Gorillaz’ Damon Albarn had visited India, which became the primary inspiration for their latest album, The Mountain.
The band that Kim Gordon was in is the experimental rock group Sonic Youth.
There are a total of 62 albums compiled in Rolling Stone’s Best Albums of 2026 So Far list.
