Top Music of 2026...so far

Half way through 2026.....

• 49 Winchester - Change of Plans - Modern Country that can Rock while keeping a roots feel

• 54-40 - Proto - solid new album from veteran Canadian Alt Rockers, first two tracks are excellent tuneful grooves

• Altered Five Blues Band - Hammer & Chisel - Milwaukee's standout modern blues band with funk

• American Aquarium - New Ways to Lose - Continuing to release very tasty  and gritty Country Rock

• Ashley McBryde - Wild - Songwriting legend rocks out on the first half with excellent songs throughout

• Band of Heathens - Country Sides - nice collection of roots based country rock

• Bella White - A Sign in the Weather - Stellar voice with a sophisticated blend of great tunes

• Ben Chapman - Feet on Fire - with friends like Hayes Carll and Marcus King it rubs off on this very good album

• Big Richard - Pet - Edgy Bluegrass that really grows on you, give a few spins and it will get you

• Black Crowes - A Pound of Feathers - The Crowes keep making great records, nice groove and harmonies

• Black Keys - Peaches - More fine classic blues rock

• Bobby Lees - New Self - Rockin punk with attitude

• Bob Wagner - I've Been Down - Debut release that stands out with great country rock fusion

• Charley Crocket - Age of the Ram (and Clovis) - Trying to keep up with Zach Bryan on the quantity and quality of releases adding a Texas Outlaw twist

• Clay Street Unit - Sin & Squalor - Americana that provides the hooks

• Cold Stares - Texas - Blues Rock that just jumps off the speakers

• Colton Bowlin - Grampa's Mill - Nice collection of country songwriting

• Courtney Barnett - Creature of Habit - Excellent album that pulls you in and does not let go. Pop? Alt rock? Country?

• Drayton Farley - A Heavy Duty Heart - Another great release Americana perfection

• Elles Bailey - Can't Take My Story Away - Americana Soul at its best with two of the best songs of the year

• Eric Bibb - One Mississippi - Modern Folk & Blues you want on your porch

• Foo Fighters - Your Favorite Toy - More Solid Rock

• Funkwrench Blues - This is the One! - Funky Jazz Perfection!

• Greenberry Woods - It's All Good, Sugar… - Best Power Pop release of the year

• Joe Bonamassa - BB Kings Blues Summit & Spirit of Rory - Great tribute to BB, Star studded and then throw in a tribute to one of the most underrated greats Rory Gallahger

• John R. Miller - The Great Unknowing - coming soon 7/16 yet the songs released are excellent already

• Jonathon Boogie Long - Literally has boogie written all over it, fine set of southern rock blues boogie

• Kurt Vile -  Philadelphia's been good to me - Infectious indie rock you cant stop listened to

• Langhorne Slim - The Dreamin Kind - Rockin Americana packed with  a uniqueness you cant describe

• Lime Garden - Maybe not Tonight - Indie Rock-Pop with an punk attitude

• Little Barrie - Gravity Freeze - Excellent, feels like I just heard Velvet Underground on a psychedelic trip

• Marcus King - Darling Blue - Mr King just crushing out another fine release with new classics

• Matt Pless - Water Sign Language - Excellent folk songs with a punk feel

• Mon Rovia - Bloodline - Indie Folk expanding into pop groves

• Montvales - Path of Totality - Catchy Americana, how is this not getting more attention?

• Morgan Nagler - I've Got Nothing to Lose, and I'm Losing It - Excellent debut of indie rock with hooks

• Noah Kahan - The Great Divide - fine songwriting making the mainstream

• Omar Coleman - Old, New, Funky and Blue - Excellent collection of modern Chicago blues getting overlooked

• Rachel Brooke - This One's For You - Now this is country music, how  is this not a huge hit?

• Red Clay Strays - Grateful - Continued success with a fine collection of Southern Rockin Americana

• Ryan Bingham - They Call Us the Lucky Ones - Nice mix of country and rock with that raspy unique delivery

• Seth James - Motormouth - nice blend of genres that will grow on you, completely overlooked

• Sophie Gault - Unhinged - Alt Country at its finest

• Steel Wheels - Steel Wheels & Sign Me Like a Folk Song - Cranking out great songs early in 2026, folk rock greatness

• Sublime - Until the Sun Explodes - They're back with the next gen singer, and rockin the reggae just like the past

•  Susto - Susto Stringband - Awesome Americana

• Taj Mahal - Time - backed with a full blues band, this album covers many genres with great tunes

• Tony Trischka - Earl Jam 2 - star packed bluegrass jam

• Trey Hensley - Can't Outrun the Blues - Americana with a master

• Zach Bryan - With Heaven On Top - Another jam packed album of great songwriting and delivery, cant stop this guys musical greatness