The Guardian’s 2026 mid-year music list: From Robyn’s Sexistential to Thundercat’s funk
A curated selection of the year’s most compelling releases, featuring critical commentary on artists ranging from Kacey Musgraves to Dry Cleaning, as published by The Guardian Culture section.
The Guardian Culture section published its mid-year roundup, "The best albums of 2026 so far", on 9 June 2026. The article curates a selection of favourite music from the preceding six months, offering critical commentary and reviews on releases spanning the pop spectrum. The list features artists including Thundercat, Kacey Musgraves, Mitski, Robyn, and Dry Cleaning, alongside a diverse array of international and genre-defying acts.
The publication notes that major pop releases from artists such as Harry Styles, BTS, and Drake were considered underwhelming in 2026. In contrast, the list highlights April Grey’s *U* as a superior alternative, describing the hyperpop auteur’s work as an infinitely more interesting and accomplished pop album than anything achieved by major league artists that year.
Specific critical assessments were provided for each featured album. Thundercat’s fifth studio album was described as a "head-spinningly eclectic 45 minutes" blending house music, soft rock, and P-funk. Kacey Musgraves’ *Middle of Nowhere*, her seventh record, was praised for its specific take on solitude, mingling country with Tex-Mex and norteño influences.
Other notable entries included Robyn’s *Sexistential*, an electro-pop record co-produced by Max Martin and Joe Mount. The album explores themes such as IVF and phone sex, with critics noting its left-field bangers meet the standard set by her 2010 masterpiece, *Body Talk*. Mitski’s *Nothing’s About to Happen to Me* was highlighted for its blend of indie, alt-country, and 70s orchestral stylings.
The article also includes a Spotify playlist link for every album mentioned. It notes that Los Thuthanaka’s *Wak’a*, an EP by an Aymara duo, was included despite not being technically eligible, for its "primordial bliss". The Guardian provided a Spotify playlist for every album mentioned, allowing readers to access the curated selection directly.