NME

Adding to early-year previews from Consequence and Esquire, NME has compiled a list of 61 most eagerly awaited albums for 2026. It spotlights returns from major acts like BTS and A$AP Rocky—echoing buzz around Zach Bryan and Charli XCX—alongside debuts from rising talents across punk, R&B, K-pop, and metal, with releases kicking off in January.