Jun 29, 2026 8:14am PT
Standout releases came from established superstars Olivia Rodrigo, Paul McCartney, Drake and Kacey Musgraves as well as artists truly coming into their own like Slayyter, Raye and Ella Langley.
Interscope Geffen A&M, Sony Music, Universal Music, Getty
Dear 2026: You seem pretty rad, for a year so potentially in malaise. At least, that’s the way we feel every time we turn off the news and turn on the music that takes us away from all that. The best albums from the first half of 2026 didn’t always shut out the outside world — James Blake did title his album “Trying Times” — but we had Raye promising that “This Album May Contain Hope,” in one of many stellar releases that delivered on that happy threat. Whether it was in chart-topping efforts from Olivia Rodrigo, Drake and Ella Langley, in well-deserved breakouts from perpetually bubbling-under artists like Slayyter, Ryan Beatty and Grace Ives, or in the happy return of comeback kids ranging from Hilary Duff to Paul McCartney, we’ve had plenty of reasons already this year to celebrate the musical spirit of ’26. Here are the results of our midterm elections. —Chris Willman
Absolutely, ‘Paracosm’ (Epic)
