22 Albums that made the cut (and some worthy others not too far off)
A lot of You Tuber bros have put out their Top 20 Albums list. Time for this music buff babe to release hers! So, what do we have here?
Lots of musical diversity- dare I say I have found no other list quite as mixed up at this. Hodgepodge of indie and mainstream efforts are represented but absent are major 2026 releases listed on typical critic lists (No album from Harry Styles, Drake, and Olivia Rodrigo here, to name a few)
What’s included on this Marinarena recommended list? A good genre melange: from Brit-flavoured pop/rock to contemporary country, atmospheric R&B to hard/progressive rock, plus soul, blues rock & metal. Plenty of testosterone for the artist line-up but just 4 females solo artists on the list and 2 females separately represented in a duo and group. However, women may make a strong presence during the second half of ‘26!
Check out what I’ve chosen for top collective ear candy below.
Have any faves in common? Let me know!
Best 22 Albums in the first half of ‘26 in no particular order…
The Way I Am by Luke Combs
Every song “bite” on this luscious country fried plate is a banger, yes, every one of the 24 tracks! If I have to do one standout- the easy repeat track, “Sleepless in a Hotel Room”
New Avatar by Kelela
Right kind of breathy, airy R&B with alt rock vibes. Intricate, Fresh ‘n sexy tracks on here, such as the mesmerizing “outta time” and “if we meet again”
Britpop by Robbie Williams
A shot of exhuberance. A catchy collection of throwback synth pop, contemporary ballads, rock on the soft side and hard edge with some punk elements all in one with signature swagger. Highlights include “Human”
and “All My Life”.Dandelion by Ella Langley
Beautiful collection, sonically and lyrically. From earthy, husky voiced Texan singer. Pure, authentic country collection of pretty uptempos and heartbreaking ballads. With many standout tracks, namely “Choosing Texas” and “Butterfly Season”
Electric Love by Brother Wallace
Energetic set of old school soulful numbers. An album sure to make you smile and sway. With standout songs: “You’re the Man” and the title track.
Support indie via BandcampThrough Zero by Elder
Hynotic hard stoner/ prog rock epic masterpiece. A feast served from earphones especially fitting to play on a starry eve or for the dawn. Featuring standout track that stuns towards the end, “Strata”
Support indie via BandcampOne by Sevendust
A very solid crusher throughout with strong melodies and lyrical content. With catchy leading single, “Is This The Real You?” and “We Won”
Make Up Is A Lie by Morissey
An extraordinary musical journey of an ordinary man’s triumphs and tribulations and lyrically entertaining. Standout track by far is the soaring Boulevard (maybe securely a top 10 song of ‘26)
A Dark Poem II by Green Carnation
Brilliantly brooding, dark and redeeming. Artful masterpiece of new hard progressive rock. Standout song: Sanguis (1st track)
Support indie via Bandcamp
The Story of Michael and Tanya by The War and Treaty Top notch vocal Collection of country, gospel and soul in one with stunning numbers, including “Shouldn’t Have” and “Reclaim All of Your Time”
The Great Parrot-Ox and the Golden Egg of Empathy
by The Claypool Lennon Delirium
Deliciously oddball, funky and thought-provoking with fantastic comic packaging
Standout track: Meat Machines (already my #1 song of the year?)The Visitor by Sienna Spiro
Beautiful, lush set of delicate and vulnerable cuts from young British songstress, reminiscent of 18 and 25 from Adele. With the stirring track,
“Die on This Hill”Songs About Us by Jason Aldean
Similarly with Combs’ album, a long and sweeping collection with each track deserving of single status. With a plethora of strong anthems and rocked out ballads like “Fight a Fire”(may indeed be another top 10 song of ‘26 )
13. Redbird by Luke Grimes
A heavily acoustic driven collection that is all heart. With standout track:
Come Home (may be another top 10 song of the year for me)
Magnolia Medicine by Brother Cane
Powerful, triumphant southern tinged hard rock effort done after a 28 year absence from the band. With the emotional “Prince Charming” and rocker, “If This Means War”
15 Megadeth by Megadeth
A #1 debut on Billboard, heaviest collection of well crafted, tight thrash riffs Possibly a milestone finale from the band. Standout Track: “I Am War”
Highway 79 by Ne-Yo
An example of pop/R&B combining with country without sounding too awkward. With the great tender closer “ If I Roped the Moon” (another top 10er in ‘26 for me?
Future Soul by Tedeschi Trucks Band
Rockin’ soul and blues collection that fills, lifts the spirit. Smooth vocals , tight band play. With haunting standout, “Who Am I” (top 10er of ‘26 perhaps)Dear Nashville by Ashley Monroe
Pure, pretty and unpretentious country. Strong storyteller collection. With lovely cuts like “Haunted” and the frank, gorgeous “I Hate Nashville”
The Understudy by Wyatt Waddell
Gorgeously sung acoustic soul rock collection. Listen to it on lazy and just wanna chill days. With standout tracks like ”Gone Away”
Carry the Light by Peter Frampton
Guitar driven odyssey, period.
With standout tracks, the riffy “Buried Treasure” and dreamy “Islamorada”
Eight by Shinedown
A fun time, anthemic hard rock and dance arcade in an album. With melodic bangers up and down, such as “Killing Fields” and “Safe and Sound”Splat! by Deep Purple
Straight forward riff-driven “geezer” hard rock with progressive elements. Highly energetic, sonically well produced from legendary band. Funny and poignant lyrically as well. With standout tracks: “The Only Horse in Town”
and “The Lunatic”
Special Mentions
(some of which arriving late to Marinarena ears in time
for this mid-year list)
Distracted by Thundercat
Foreign Tongues by Rolling Stones
Bridges by Jo Dee Messina
Sweat by Mel C
Take Two by Generation Radio
Frozen Charlotte by Jack White
M17 by M.I.A.
A Pound of Features by The Black Crowes
The Romantic by Bruno Mars
*Keep eyes peeled for what will be my BEST 22 Albums by year’s end here!
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