Desire, Tongues and Love: What are the best albums of 2026... So far? - AOL

Euronews Culture’s “Desire, Tongues and Love” countdown, republished by AOL, looks back at music highlights that have resonated in 2026, noting the year is already past halfway and that narrowing the field to 20 albums has been challenging. The selection spans genres from soul to politically conscious Irish hip-hop, and includes what the piece describes as the comeback of rock veterans still performing in their 80s. The ranking begins at No. 20 with Death Cab for Cutie’s I Built You a Tower, described as moving beyond the long-distance pain of Transatlanticism (2003) toward themes of divorce and disillusionment. No. 19 spotlights mary in the junkyard’s debut album Role Model Hermit, after the 2024 EP This Old House and gigs supporting acts including The Murder Capital and Wet Leg. No. 18 features Angine de Poitrine’s Vol. II and No. 17 includes Broken Social Scene’s Remember The Humans.