After the Guardian's music critics chose their best of the half-year, readers shared their favourite albums of 2026 so far, from Muna's dance record to J Cole's introspective rap and Flea's surprising jazz fusion debut.
Muna – Dancing on the Wall
Jane Tytla from New England, US, calls Muna's album 'a fun, punchy dance record that will definitely be the soundtrack of my summer. It's propulsive, full of queer joy, cheeky lyricism, and relatable insecurities as they ruminate on being past their prime as pop stars in their early 30s.' She adds, 'It will undoubtedly be an amazing live show and is a testament to the importance of artists taking breaks.'
Maya Hawke – Maitreya Corso
Kate Koell from Leeds says Maya Hawke's fourth studio album is 'the first album of this year that reminded me of the joy of just getting really into a record.' Despite some reviews calling it twee, Koell feels it's 'a disservice' and praises its 'stream-of-consciousness inner monologue' and 'great writing' covering topics like living in an older sibling's shadow and unfulfilling career dreams. She notes, 'When you get to the understated romance of Dream House, it really does feel like you've lived through a season of Hawke's personal growth.'
Arlo Parks – Ambiguous Desire
Sam from Missouri, US, a long-time fan, says every aspect of this album 'hit the mark for me. I love the texture, the sound, the lyrics. It is all expertly produced and performed.' He highlights 'the emotional vulnerability, and that it doesn't ask you to have a resolution to the complicated feelings it presents. Just stewing in those feelings makes the soulful dance beats hit even harder.'
Jalen Ngonda – Doctrine of Love
David Kelly from Glasgow describes it as 'a triumphant masterpiece of modern soul. Soaking in the legendary grit of 1960s Detroit and Chicago, Ngonda weaves gospel-kissed backing vocals, lush orchestral arrangements and cinematic horns. His staggering falsetto breathes fresh, compassionate life into timeless traditions, delivering an absolutely electrifying, vintage vibe – and yet it was released in 2026.'
Aldous Harding – Train on the Island
Richard Hill from Frome, Somerset, calls it 'a return to form after her previous album. Hypnotic voice, obscure lyrics and great tunes and musicianship.' He recalls first seeing her in 2016 at a small stage in Bristol: 'She had a kind of magnetic, mysterious charisma and also a very dry wit. I've never known an artist who can transfix her audience in the way she does.'
Ellie O'Neill – Time of Fallow
Paul Thomas from Hemel Hempstead praises the debut album: 'It's incredibly well realised and there's not a wasted second. Anna with the Silver Arrow is perhaps the immediate earworm, but it's Bohemia with its lightning crash percussion that provides the centrepiece. For fans of Laura Marling, Nick Drake.'
Tyler Ballgame – For the First Time, Again
Hywel Sedgwick from West Yorkshire says the album 'pulls off that special trick of sounding like some timeless piece of old school Americana. Tyler's voice absolutely drips with emotion – his fragile and idiosyncratic falsetto immediately makes you sit up and take notice.' He saw Tyler live at the Brudenell Social Club in Leeds and was struck by 'how grateful Tyler seemed to be to share his talent.'
Flea – Honora
Matthew Reed Baker from Massachusetts, US, calls it 'my favourite surprise of the year.' Though not a big RHCP fan, he was intrigued by Flea's 'electric jazz fusion vibe' and return to trumpet. 'On paper, this shouldn't work, especially his cover of Funkadelic's Maggot Brain, but that track turns out to be gorgeous, and the whole album is one warm, lovely listen that still challenges your ears.'
Boards of Canada – Inferno
Athanasios Trochalakis from Washington, US, says it's their first release in 13 years and 'extremely good. Each song really feels like it had so much effort put into it, and despite a lot of them having a bit of a dark atmosphere, some of them are so groovy it's ridiculous. I highly doubt anything else this year will beat it.'
Kneecap – Fenian
Lily from Florida, US, loves the album: 'I adore hardcore, aggressive, grimy hip-hop, but a lot of the older stuff has homophobia. I'm so happy to have a new, aggressive, hardcore, devil-may-care hip-hop album that I can stand with my whole heart! The aggressive delivery and slightly off-kilter beat of Gael Phonics makes it the highlight.'
Gorillaz – The Mountain
Ed Wilkinson from Malvern says it 'reveals itself over multiple listens. Conceptually and lyrically, the album cements Damon Albarn's legacy as a true great songwriter. There is an Indian feel throughout. Created in the shadow of their fathers' deaths, the album reflects upon mortality. Seeing it performed live was an unexpectedly moving experience.'
Raye – This Music May Contain Hope
Nick Black from London says, 'For sheer likability, for chutzpah, for the fully-present personality of its maker, nothing's touching Raye's album. It almost instantaneously buoys the day like a life raft inflating. It's a record with giant heart-on-sleeve and optimistic intent. Oh, and it's marvellously written, played and produced and oof, can she sing!'
Brian Jackson – Now More Than Ever
Gerry Hassan from Kirkcudbright, Dumfries and Galloway, explains that Jackson was Gil Scott-Heron's main musical partner. 'This amazing album, released 15 years after Gil's death, sees Brian finally celebrate his partner by putting himself back into the story, subtly updating classics for today's troubled times. Over three LPs we get reworkings of landmarks like The Revolution Will Not Be Televised, aided by contemporary stars.'
The Cribs – Selling a Vibe
Chris from London says the band's latest is 'their best set since 2007's Men's Needs, Women's Needs, Whatever. It showcases a band evolving into life in their 40s, touching on personal and commercial turmoil and showing that their brotherly bond is unbreakable. The Jarmans really are national treasures.'
J Cole – The Fall-Off
Hugh Ogilvie from Oxfordshire says, 'It took a few listens to really understand this album. After living with it for a few months, it grows and grows until the facts become undeniable: J Cole is one of the most versatile rappers alive and really takes time to craft his lyrics and melodies. Pure concept, and he's surely not retiring anytime soon.'
