Half Year Music review

2026 is flying by. Lots of good. Lots of bad. It's been a year. I want to take some time though and talk about something universally joyful: music. I've written about it over and over again - I love music. The way music can capture emotion is unparalleled (I think). So - let me share some of the albums and songs from 2026 that are doing that for me.

albums worth a mention

This one dropped early in 2026. I think it was actually my first music purchase of the year. Described as "anti-fascist, anti-racist free form Death Jazz", it's a sonic experience. Emphasis is definitely on the death part of that phrase: it's loud, grating, chaotic but also kind of amazing. It continues to stick with me as a sonic backdrop for this season.

This is a hit with the whole family. Super creative. Super hopeful. It's a great listen that's often requested in the car.

This is one of the those unexpected finds that come out of nowhere. It's got elements of hip hop and r & b and rock and it's all great.

If I had to pick today, this would be my album of the year. It's amazing heavy alt-rock/shoegaze. Excellent musicianship and even more excellent drone it forward and I love all of it.

This is a really strong release from early June. It's somewhere between indie rock and emo and is a great album to drive to. As a bonus, my family doesn't mind it as much so I actually can drive to it on occassion with them.

This is pure emo/hardcore goodness. Nothing to complain about - I just want to get in the pit and move around. I will say some of it makes me nostalgic for an album I loved in college (Finch's What it is to burn)

songs worth a callout

I normally wouldn't include a song whose album just released a few days ago but a) this song has been out a bit longer (it was the first single) AND b) it's that good. Awesome raw pop punk, I'd say.

I've got to admit - I love how Olivia Rodrigo nods back to 80s music without really overdoing. I think this one is the best at that (even though Robert Smith is singing a few songs later). As a whole it's a good album! My family loves it but I'm not sure it'll make my end-of-year list so I just wanted to highlight this song.

I wrote about this album above. This is the track I come back to over and over again. It brings up good memories of life and love (and songs that do that deserve recognition). There's nostalgia, hope and understanding baked in that speaks to someone like me that struggles with said understanding.

Another song that will make you feel hard. She does an amazing job capturing emotion: longing, yearning, that feeling of something slipping through your fingers, of maybe being able to grasp it. It's all here.

I love Son Lux. Their music just makes me happy. All of it seems unexpected, outside-the-box and much of it is danceable. This new track is no different. I'm looking forward to their new album in September!