Building on late-2025 previews of major albums, stars like Bruno Mars, Zach Bryan and The Kid LAROI have launched 2026 with new albums and singles across pop, country, R&B and hip-hop. This diverse wave marks a strong post-holiday start, with risers like Ella Langley climbing charts. Vote for favorites in Billboard's weekly poll.
Just over a week into 2026, Billboard's roundup highlights a flurry of high-profile releases. Bruno Mars returned with 'I Just Might,' lead single from his first solo album in a decade, The Romantic (February 27), tied to his Romantic stadium tour with guests Leon Thomas, Victoria Monét, RAYE, and Anderson .Paak (as DJ Pee .Wee). The single includes a music video co-directed and choreographed by Mars.
Zach Bryan's anticipated With Heaven on Top has arrived as a 25-song collection, featuring viral track 'Bad News.' Other country standouts: Luke Combs' 'Sleepless in a Hotel Room,' Jason Aldean's 'Her Favorite Color,' and Eric Church's live 'Hell Of A View.'
Pop sees The Kid LAROI's Before I Forget (with Lithe, Clara La San, Andrew Aged), Robyn's 'Talk to Me' from Sexistential, Mumford & Sons' 'The Banjo Song,' Yung Bleu's 16-track Therapy, and Carín León/Xavi duet 'La Morrita.'
R&B includes Ari Lennox's 'Twin Flame,' Jill Scott's 'Pressha,' and SAULT's surprise Chapter 1. Hip-hop brings A$AP Rocky's 'Punk Rocky,' IDK/Pusha T's 'Life 4 a Life,' and Chief Keef's 'Harry Potter.'
Holiday singles have cleared the Billboard Hot 100, boosting tracks like Ella Langley's 'Choosin’ Texas' to No. 5 (January 10 chart).