2026: A Huge Year for Music Is Incoming

2025 was a superb year for music, but could 2026 be even better?

It’s no secret that a handful of superstar artists are slated to drop highly anticipated projects in the coming months, but just in case you forgot, let’s touch on this year's lineup of confirmed albums.

DON’T BE DUMB - A$AP ROCKY - JANUARY 16

A$AP Rocky seems to be following through on his scheduled release date. Somebody pinch me. After pump-faking the release of his fifth studio album back in the fall of 2024, the New York-born rapper is now neck-deep in the rollout for his latest project, “DON’T BE DUMB”. Over the last two weeks, Rocky dropped a pair of lead singles, "Punk Rocky" and "Helicopter," both featuring incredible, eye-popping music videos. The tracks could not sound more different, which is unsurprising. If there’s one thing about Rocky, it's that he knows how to execute a wide range of sounds. “Punk Rocky” is a fusion of Rocky’s signature dreamy, psychedelic vocals and the fast-paced snares of the punk rock genre, whereas “Helicopter” contains Rocky’s usual rap delivery on a heavy, speaker-slapping beat. The official tracklist for “DON’T BE DUMB” spans 17 songs and includes features from Brent Faiyaz, Doechii, Tyler, the Creator, Westside Gunn, Thundercat, and more. I guess I should stop holding my breath for that Frank Ocean feature.

ICEMAN - Drake - TBA

While we don’t have an official release date yet, Drake made it clear that we’re on ice watch. “Honestly, not looking @ me when you tell me the important things is all I needed to see. ICESZN,” he shared in an Instagram caption on January 1. After his feud with Kendrick Lamar, there is no doubt Drake is going to empty the clip in his first solo project since 2023, when he delivered “For All The Dogs”.  I can’t even fathom what double entendres the elite lyricist is cooking up for his comeback. ​Of course, it will be interesting to see whether any other artists pledge their allegiance to the 6 God by featuring on “ICEMAN”.

Wuthering Heights - Charli XCX - February 13

After shaking up the entire pop culture timeline with her 2024 album “BRAT,” Charli XCX faces crushing expectations from the music industry to deliver another batch of hits. However, listeners should temper their expectations. Her new project, "Wuthering Heights," is the soundtrack for the upcoming film adaptation, slated for release on February 13. Based on the two lead singles, "House" and "Chains of Love," the album adopts a darker, gothic tone, diverging from the upbeat club anthems featured on BRAT. The soundtrack consists of 12 songs, but fans may need to wait longer for another full-fledged pop album from Charli.

Bully - Ye - January 30

Kanye West has faced notable controversies in recent years, but still, when Ye drops, we listen. That’s just how it goes. Bully will mark Ye’s fourth album in three years, joining Vultures, Vultures 2, and Donda 2. Many listeners found the recent trilogy of projects sporadic, and from the snippets we’ve heard, Bully does not have a clear sonic identity either, truly emulating the theme of its creator himself. Though Kanye has a reputation for album delays, “Bully” is currently scheduled for January 30.

The Fall Off - J Cole - February 6

On Wednesday, J Cole announced that his long-teased album “The Fall Off” is scheduled for release on February 6. We last heard from Jermaine after Drake pulled him into a flaming rapper beef with Kendrick Lamar, forcing him to drop a half-hearted album drop of “Might Delete Later” in early 2024. The Charlotte, North Carolina, native has since bowed out of the conflict and remained off the radar, but it appears he’s ready to make a return with a lot of questions left unanswered.

Stove - Lana Del Rey - TBA

What began as a country album called “Lasso” has undergone several name changes since Lana Del Rey initially teased the project in 2024. “The Right Person Will Stay”, “Classic”, and now, “Stove”. Though she might change either the title or the release date by the time I finish writing this, Lana Del Rey did tell W Magazine in an August 2025 interview that she hopes to release the record by the end of January. She’s left us no choice but to take that with way more than a grain of salt, but there is a very strong chance we will get the enigmatic album sooner than later. Could references to Lana’s house-dividing beef with Ethel Cain make an appearance on the project? I sure hope so (popcorn emoji).

Harry Styles - Kiss All The Time. Disco, Occasionally.

FINALLY! Harry Styles has ended his hiatus, announcing that his long-awaited fourth studio album, “Kiss All The Time. Disco, Occasionally”, will be released on March 6. Styles has left his fans starving since May of 2022, when his GRAMMY-winning project, “Harry’s House”, was released. According to his website, it will feature 12 tracks, with British singer-songwriter Kid Harpoon serving as executive producer.

Even with some delays, this will be an exciting, packed year for music!