All Songs Considered

The best 2026 albums we've heard so far

January 6, 2026

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  • The hosts of *All Songs Considered* are previewing highly anticipated albums for 2026, including confirmed releases from Dry Cleaning, Julianna Barwick & Mary Lattimore, Ásgeir, Joyce Manor, Beverly Glenn-Copeland, gobbinjr, Danny L Harle, August Ponthier, and Mumford & Sons. 
  • The episode highlights Dry Cleaning's new album *Secret Love* as a sharp, evolved studio effort produced by Caitla Bonn, and Beverly Glenn-Copeland's *Laughter In Summer* as a moving collaboration with his wife following his dementia diagnosis. 
  • While there is a strong lineup of confirmed early 2026 releases, the hosts noted a relative scarcity of confirmed major releases compared to the previous year, relying instead on rumors for artists like Beyoncé, Olivia Rodrigo, and Noah Kahan. 

Segments

Show Introduction and Reset
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(00:00:18)
  • Key Takeaway: Host Robin Hilton and Sheldon Pierce open the All Songs Considered episode by discussing the need for a ‘hard reset’ after the holidays before diving into the 2026 album preview.
  • Summary: Sheldon Pierce noted taking time off to consume older art to reset his brain for the new year. The hosts confirmed the episode’s focus is the 2026 preview, looking at anticipated new albums. They expressed readiness to jump into new music for 2026.
Dry Cleaning’s New Album
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(00:01:45)
  • Key Takeaway: Dry Cleaning’s new album, Secret Love, releases January 9th and features production by Caitla Bonn, marking a step out of their pandemic-era workflow.
  • Summary: The song played was “Cruise Ship Designer” from the album Secret Love. The hosts praised Florence Shaw’s piercing, dry vocal style as quintessential post-punk. This third album is noted as feeling more like a studio record than their previous two.
Barwick and Lattimore Collaboration
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(00:05:22)
  • Key Takeaway: The collaboration between Julianna Barwick and Mary Lattimore, Tragic Magic, releases January 16th, featuring crystalline and ethereal musicians operating on the same plane.
  • Summary: The track played was “Perpetual Adoration” from Tragic Magic. The pairing of the electronic vocalist and the harpist was described as a perfect match that hadn’t happened sooner. The album sessions were improvised and recorded quickly in Paris following the Los Angeles wildfires.
Ásgeir’s Vocal Magic
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(00:08:07)
  • Key Takeaway: Icelandic singer Ásgeir’s new album Julia, out February 13th, features the song “Smoke” and marks the first record where he foregrounds his own lyrics, channeling vulnerability through the fictional character Julia.
  • Summary: Ásgeir possesses an incredibly memorable tenor/falsetto voice, described as instantly improving any song he sings. The album Julia uses the fictional character as a stand-in for figures like a mother or ex-girlfriend. This shift to personal lyrics was reportedly scary for the artist.
2026 Rumored Releases Overview
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(00:14:05)
  • Key Takeaway: Unlike the previous year, confirmed major 2026 releases are sparse, but rumors suggest new music from Robyn, Noah Kahan, Beyoncé, Olivia Rodrigo, Phoebe Bridgers, The XX, and Death Grips.
  • Summary: The hosts noted a lack of massive, confirmed releases announced at this point in the year. Rumors include a new Robyn album and a potential rock album from Beyoncé. Death Grips announced they are working on their first album in about eight years.
Joyce Manor’s New Punk
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(00:16:25)
  • Key Takeaway: Joyce Manor’s album I Used to Go To This Bar, releasing January 30th, delivers fast-paced California punk with a sunniness that balances themes of depression, as heard on “All My Friends Are So Depressed.”
  • Summary: The song “All My Friends Are So Depressed” captures the band’s blend of new wave hints with a pristine, polished sheen. The album is noted for being very short, never exceeding 30 minutes. The hosts appreciate the lightness accompanying the song’s heavy title.
Beverly Glenn Copeland’s Poignant Work
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(00:19:22)
  • Key Takeaway: Beverly Glenn-Copeland’s album Laughter In Summer (February 6th) was created with his wife, Elizabeth Copeland, as his dementia faculties diminish, capturing shared memories like the title track.
  • Summary: The creation of the album is a powerful effort to record thoughts before they are lost, featuring a real-time dialogue between the couple. The song “Laughter In Summer” focuses on remembering shared moments, like listening to loons by a lake. The core artistic power remains strong despite the devastating personal process.
gobbinjr’s Whimsical Return
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(00:22:43)
  • Key Takeaway: gobbinjr (Emma Whitmer) returns in April with Crystal Rabbit Moon, featuring the single “Just a Dream,” which incorporates more synths and a buzzing quality into her signature lo-fi, whimsical style.
  • Summary: The artist’s music is classified as idiosyncratic, blending Dream Pop with Freak Folk, sometimes evoking a Twin Peaks vibe. The new single shows an attempt to mix up sounds while retaining a cozy, DIY feel. The song’s theme centers on dream logic within a relationship.
Danny L Harle’s Euphoric Dance
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(00:27:17)
  • Key Takeaway: PC Music veteran Danny L Harle releases Cerulean on February 13th, delivering thumping, euphoric dance music rooted in trance and Eurodance that balances pure escapism with an inward-looking thread of wonder.
  • Summary: Harle previously focused on bringing the club experience to the internet with his debut album. The music is large and loud but avoids overwhelming the listener, maintaining a sense of awe. The track played was “Crystallise My Tears,” featuring Oklou & MNEK.
August Ponthier’s Debut
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(00:30:32)
  • Key Takeaway: August Ponthier’s debut album, Everywhere Isn’t Texas (February 13th), blends indie pop and country with humorous, biting lyrics delivered over breezy music, addressing difficult hometown identity.
  • Summary: The sound was compared to “Sapphic Sabrina Carpenter” due to its savvy blend of genres and eased-out vocal delivery. The title serves as a potent reminder that difficult circumstances or locations are not permanent. The song “Handsome” showcases the lightness and ease of the production.
Mumford & Sons’ New Direction
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(00:33:35)
  • Key Takeaway: Mumford & Sons’ album Prize Fighter (February 13th) offers wonderful, honest euphoria and community delivered through acoustic instrumentation, challenging the perception of their earlier ‘hipster cringe’ sound.
  • Summary: The hosts acknowledged the ‘stomp clap’ sound peaked quickly and often dogged the band, but this new album is considered wonderful. The music features anthemic sing-alongs and banjo, sounding real and honest rather than manufactured. The track “Rubber Band Man (with Hozier)” is about soldiering on through difficulty.