Top 20 Songs of 2026, So Far

Only a couple seasons into 2026, the artists we love have put their whole heart into each and every one of their songs, and it has shown. Here are our top 20 songs of 2026, so far, in no particular order.

My New Band Believe

"Love Story"

"Love Story" could very well be the most beautiful song Cameron Picton has ever written, the way the track slowly builds and falls like the ups and downs of a love story.

Olivia Rodrigo

"The Cure"

As so many have stated already, "The Cure" is Olivia Rodrigo at her best, inspired by her idols inflected with her own pop princess prowess.

Westside Cowboy

"Kick Stones (The Boys)"

The first single, "Kick Stones (The Boys)", from Manchester's West Side Cowboy's debut album, It Goes On, feels like adventuring while going through the memories of your life.

Improvement Movement

"Still Cold"

Atlanta's favorite band returns to remind everyone why they're so beloved with "Still Cold", the lead single from their upcoming album, Your Perfect Real Life. The harmonies between Tony Aparo, Clark Hamilton, Zach Pyles and Marshall Ruffin scratch an itch for me I never want remedied.

Fcukers

"L.U.CK.Y"

Fcukers cracked the code with their debut Ö this year and "L.U.C.K.Y." I would say is the cheerleader for the album with its criminally infectious lyrics that tell a story while remaining as danceable as the rest of the album.

Aldous Harding

"One Stop"

Aldous Harding on "One Stop" sounds proudly more of herself than ever, powerful even, yet her vocals are layered only upon intimate guitar strumming and later some light drum brushing.

Gorillaz

"Orange County"

The heart of Gorillaz' The Mountain is on full display in "Orange County" which features a beautifully soft duet between Damon Albarn and poet Kara Jackson over themes of grief. The track also features Argentine producer Bizarrap and Grammy nominated Anoushka Shankar who lends the sitar you hear all throughout the record.

Girl Scout

"Operator"

"Operator" on Girl Scout's debut album Brink is one of the Swedish band's more fun tracks which is exactly where they shine.

Remember Sports

"Across The Line"

The charming country inflected mid-west emo tune "Across The Line" off Remember Sport's first album in five years, The Refrigerator, is catchy as hell.

Lowertown

"Big Thumb"

"Big Thumb" off Lowertown's new album Ugly Duckling Union sees Avsha take the lead vocal reigns from Olive, like he does from time to time to create a silly and beautiful listen featuring Olive's harmonica.

Mitski

"If I Leave"

"If I Leave" is the most powerful track on Mitski's Nothing's About to Happen to Me, its dark nature sinks its claws into your skin till the very end.

Friko

 "Seven Degrees"

"Seven Degrees" is the catchy lead single from Friko's new album, Something Worth Waiting For, taking the listener on a journey through the complexities of life.

Iceage

"Star"

"Star" the lead single from Iceage's new album, For Love of Grace & the Hereafter, is loose, chaotic punk rock glowing with love which is a common theme throughout the album itself.

Violet Grohl

"THUM"

Violet Grohl of Seattle Sound royalty stands on her own feet with lead track "THUM" off her debut album "Be Sweet to Me", it's clear though she is inspired by her dad and other rock bands of his time that she has looked up to her whole life.

major

"CRV"

Holden Fincher and major continue to be one of Atlanta's most underrated indie sleeve bands with "CRV" released earlier this year which will be on their upcoming debut album Silver Plastic Forks.

Blondshell

"Violins"

Blondshell's writing is more of herself than you've heard before, that's especially prevalent on her latest track "Violins" which could be the best song she's ever written.

hey, nothing

"Boat Garage"

“Boat Garage” is an exhilarating hey, nothing anthem that carries the same emotional weight that you would find in the duo’s heart wrenching acoustic ballads.

Beabadoobee

"Sun Has Set"

Beabadoobee returns to true form, noisier and heavier than before with track two off her upcoming album, Pylon.

mary in the junkyard

"Blood"

"Blood" is the last single from mary in the junkyard's debut album Role Molel Hermit and it sees Clari Freeman-Taylor's delicate vocals laid over very vulnerable themes of intimacy.

underscores

"Tell Me (You Want It)"

"Tell Me (You Want It)" off underscores latest album U admits she not only wants but deserves the super stardom coming her way.