2025 proved to be a stellar year for music! The year was notably marked by the release of several outstanding albums, including “Lux” by Rosalía, “Mayhem” by Lady Gaga, “The Art of Loving” by Olivia Dean, “Mega BBL” by Theodora, “Getting Killed” by Geese, “Private Music” by Deftones, and “God of Angels Trust” by Volbeat. Also on the list were “Labyrinthe” by Feu! Chatterton and “More” from Pulp.
From now on, all eyes are on 2026. What surprises does this new year have in store? Which bands and artists are gearing up to release their next records? Who will get us dancing, or move us to tears in the weeks and months ahead? Find out now the most anticipated albums of 2026!
Ninho is set to make a comeback in 2026 with "M.I.L.S IV", the fourth installment in his popular mixtape series "Maintenant Ils Le Savent", which first launched in 2016. After a record-breaking performance at the Stade de France last spring, the rapper is once again preparing to capture headlines in 2026. It’s worth noting that the artist, hailing from Île-de-France, became the first rapper to have four albums certified diamond.
Just over two years after "Que ta tête fleurisse toujours", Mika makes his comeback with a new album titled "Hyperlove". Promoted as a futuristic pop record, the album explores themes of love, oscillating between euphoria and introspection, as reflected in the single "Modern Times". It’s also worth noting that Mika will hit the road across France, Europe, and North America in 2026. In Paris, he’s set to perform at the Accor Arena on February 16th.
With iconic tracks like "Symphony of Destruction", "Holy Wars... The Punishment Due", and "À Tout le Monde", Megadeth has undeniably left its mark on the history of thrash metal, standing shoulder to shoulder with Metallica, Slayer, and Anthrax—the legendary Big 4. As the American band gears up for a world tour marking its farewell, their frontman Dave Mustaine has announced the release of one final album. Simply titled "Megadeth", this last record from the Californian ensemble is set to drop on January 23.
This time, we're truly hopeful! In an interview with the W magazine, Lana Del Rey revealed that her new album is scheduled for release at the end of January 2026. Initially dubbed "Lasso" and later "The Right Person Will Stay", the record will reportedly be titled "Stove". However, no specific release date has been announced yet, making it the follow-up to "Did You Know That There's a Tunnel Under Ocean Blvd", which came out in 2023.
In 2026, Robbie Williams is set to pay homage to the golden age of UK rock with the release of his new album, titled "Britpop." The British artist reportedly envisioned this record back in 1995, right after leaving Take That. Mark your calendars for February 6, 2026, to hear the fresh tracks from this performer, who has sold over 85 million albums worldwide, collected 18 BRIT Awards, and achieved 15 number-one albums!
Next summer, several festivals across France will feature We Love Green among their lineups, and Gorillaz is gearing up to release their ninth studio album. Titled "The Mountain", this highly anticipated record includes 15 tracks featuring an array of renowned artists and collaborators such as Ajay Prasanna, Anoushka Shankar, Idles, Jalen Ngonda, Johnny Marr, and Omar Souleyman. A notable aspect of "The Mountain" is its recording locations, which span London, Devon, Miami, Jaipur, Mumbai, New Delhi, and Rishikesh, adding a diverse geographical touch to the album’s creation.
Several other bands and artists are also planning to release new albums in 2026, including Blondie. The legendary New York-based band is expected to drop "High Noon", their upcoming record, in the spring of 2026. This will follow their 2017 album "Pollinator." For this project, frontwoman Debbie Harry and guitarist Chris Stein are rumored to collaborate with several guests, among them Glen Matlock. While no official release date has been announced yet, recording was completed before the death of Blondie's drummer, Clem Burke, in April 2025.
Björk, the talented Icelandic artist who recently teamed up with Rosalía, is also expected to make headlines again in 2026. It will be her first album since Fossora, released in September 2022. According to the Reykjavík Arts Festival, her next project is currently in production and will debut in Iceland in May 2026 as part of “Echolalia,” a collaborative exhibition with visual artist James Merry.
A different vibe with the French band Gojira and their powerful metal tracks. After wrapping up their French tour in December, Gojira is expected to release a new album in 2026. This upcoming record will follow the excellent 2021 album "Fortitude", which featured hits like "Another World", "Born for One Thing", and "Amazonia".
Finally, Madonna has announced she's returning with new music. "Back to music, Back to the Dance Floor, Back to where it all began! COADF- P. 2 - 2026," she shared on her social media. The American star reveals that this upcoming album will serve as a follow-up to her 2005 record "Confessions on a Dance Floor," celebrating its 20th anniversary.
