Episode
The year’s best songs (so far)
- Podcast
- NPR Music
- Published
- Jun 30, 2026
- Duration seconds
- 2793
- Processing state
not_requested
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Summary
It's the midway point of 2026, and it's safe to say that when it comes to the best songs of the year, there's not really any consensus to be found. So we’ve assembled our personal Top 10 list of the most memorable songs to cross our paths, from the outlaw country of Charley Crockett to the glam rock of Friko, Lana Del Rey’s twisted ode to love, Vince Staples' "White Flag" and more. NPR Music’s Sheldon Pearce joins host Robin Hilton. Featured artists and songs: (00:00) Intro (01:38) Mandy, Indiana: “try saying” (05:09) Aldous Harding: “Coats” (09:28) Vince Staples: “White Flag” (14:25) Yebba: “Yellow Eyes” (18:04) Friko: “Seven Degrees” (22:01) Charley Crockett: “Kentucky Too Long” (26:03) Lana Del Rey: “White Feather Hawk Tail Deer Hunter” (32:07) Baby Rose: “Friends Again" (feat. Leon Thomas) (37:59) Mumford & Sons: “Rubber Band Man" (feat. Hozier) (42:58) Irreversible Entanglements: “Don’t Lose Your Head" (feat. MOTHERBOARD) Reviews help! Leave us one on Apple or Spotify wherever you listen to podcasts. Questions, comments, suggestions or feedback of any kind always welcome: [email protected] 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