# The best albums of 2026 (so far)

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/npr-music-738918/the-best-albums-of-2026-so-far
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/npr-music-738918/the-best-albums-of-2026-so-far.md
Podcast: [NPR Music](https://stenobird.com/podcast/npr-music-738918)
Published: 2026-07-03T07:00:00+00:00
Episode link: https://www.npr.org/2026/07/03/nx-s1-5875441/mpr-music-best-albums-of-2026-so-far
Audio file: https://prfx.byspotify.com/e/play.podtrac.com/npr-510019/npr.simplecastaudio.com/afbbcc66-ab00-44f2-903d-1a96ab240270/episodes/ff0a1d99-d3c8-42a1-b401-a64d94006411/audio/256/default.mp3?awCollectionId=afbbcc66-ab00-44f2-903d-1a96ab240270&awEpisodeId=ff0a1d99-d3c8-42a1-b401-a64d94006411&feed=VUaq3kJJ&t=podcast&e=nx-s1-5875441&p=510019&d=2443&size=78191012
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JSON: https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/npr-music-738918/episodes/the-best-albums-of-2026-so-far
Duration seconds: 2443

## Resource

On a special mid-year episode of New Music Friday, host Stephen Thompson and a lineup of NPR Music writers and critics reflect on their favorite albums of the year so far. Albums featured in this episode: (01:14) Album No. 1 - Noah Kahan, 'The Great Divide' (07:16) Album No. 2 - underscores, 'U' (14:00) Album No. 3 - Cécile McLorin Salvant, 'With Every Breath I Take' (20:13) Album No. 4 - Neurosis, 'An Undying Love For A Burning World' (27:18) Album No. 5 - Tiffany Day, 'HALO' (33:46) Album No. 6 - Metropolis Ensemble, Erik Hall & Sandbox Percussion, 'Canto Ostinato' Credits: Host: Stephen Thompson Guests: Hazel Cills, Ann Powers, Lars Gotrich, Sheldon Pearce, Tom Huizenga Audio Producer: Noah Caldwell Digital Producer: Dora Levite Editors: Otis Hart, Elle Mannion Executive Producer: Suraya Mohamed See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences. NPR Privacy Policy

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