2026 most anticipated

2026’s Most Anticipated Albums

Poppy, Empty Hands, January 23rd

It looks like Jordan Fish and Stephen Harrison are back along for the new Poppy record. Very excited for this one. Poppy has such a unique career. It won’t shock me if she doesn’t make this sort of music forever, but I’ll enjoy it while she is.

The All-American Rejects, Sandbox, February

Honestly, I can’t believe this record isn’t out yet. The lead single “Sandbox” was released in *April*. I can’t believe that this is their first LP in over a decade! The last LP, Kids in the Street, is my favorite record of theirs.

New Found Glory, Listen Up!, February 20th

Again, a band I love. I’ll be the first to admit that the last several records have been overall lack-luster, but theres definitely bright spots on every record. The lead single, “100%” has a great, classic NFG guitar lick. Looking forward to the release.

A Day to Remember, Big Ole Album Vol. 2, Unknown Release Date

I loved the first volume, and I am really looking forward to the second. The album roll out for the first volume was really great and unique in the modern times too; the band released physical copies several weeks before it made it on to stream platforms. What a great way to get fans to reward fans that were going to buy the record anyway. The band have mentioned a handful of times interviews or live that the record is slated for this year.

mewithoutYou, Live vol. Three, Unknown Release Date

As written on their website “mewithoutYou live on through a triptych of live albums.” These records have been wonderful, and some of my favorite mewithoutYou songs haven’t appeared on them yet. Here’s to their inclusion in vol. Three.

The 1975, Untitled, Unknown Release Date

Theres been a lot of reporting around the next The 1975 release, including that it may be a double album, and one of them may be called DOGS. The 1975 are probably the most important rock back of the last 15 years or so, and I can not wait for them to continue their streak.

Radiohead, Untitled, Unknown Release Date

Now, Radiohead haven’t said that they’re releasing anything, but they have started touring again recently, and it’s been ten years (!!!) since A Moon Shaped Pool. Fun fact: that record has the track-listing alphabetized.

The Maine, Untitled, Unknown Release Date

This band continues an untouchable run of records, starting with 2015’s American Candy. Since the release of their last LP, 2023’s self-titled record, the band has released the single “Touch”, which I liked. Its a bit of an odd song; I wonder if thats the direction for the new record, or just something to get out of their system.

The Menzingers, Untitled, Unknown Release Date

The band has started teasing an announcement on their social media accounts, so I expect we’ll have something early in the year. I didn’t quite connect with the last record Some of It Was True as much as the previous releases, but it was still good. Hopefully the new records release prompts me to go back to that record.

Cartel, untitled, unknown date

Theres not a ton to go off of here, other than Will Pugh has said in a few interviews that theres a new record coming this year. I like the singles they released a few years ago, and I am generally a fan of everything they’ve released.

Knocked Loose feat. Poppy on Jimmy Kimmel

Just spectacular. Chef’s kiss.

Favorite Albums of 2024

I’m continuing to go through my back-log regarding favorite records from the past few years. In no particular order, here are my favorite records of 2024.

POST HUMAN: NeX GEn – Bring Me The Horizon

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Bring Me the Horizon gave us the second installation in their Post Human series, and I daresay this installation is better than the first. The band seamless goes between their classic metal core, pop, and perhaps some hyper-pop vibes as well. The release was delayed several times, in part, due to their separation from Synthesizer and co-write Jordan Fish leaving the band. More on that later.

Saviors – Green Day

Well, well, well, what do we have here? A good Green Day record? Boy, its been a while. I was a die hard fan throughout high school and college, but I haven’t really enjoyed the last 5 (!!!) records or so. Very happy to hear some fun new material. Songs like “Bobby Sox” seem to have struck a chord w/ the fan base and incorporated themselves as staples in the live set. Great to see a solid addition to their discography.

Negative Spaces – Poppy

And what did Jordan Fish work on in 2024 after being dismissed from Bring Me the Horizon? Poppy’s Negative Spaces. Poppy is a terribly interesting artist, which I’ll admit I don’t quite fully “get”. Her career started on YouTube…. She’s had several full-on pop records… but here she is just doing extremely heavy metal, intertwined with some solid pop-rock tracks. I first became aware of her on the single “Scary Mask” which featured Jason from Fever 333. That collabortion must have lead to her meeting Stephen Harrison, who co-wrote many of these songs, along w/ Jordan Fish, and has played a few things live w/ Poppy as well.

Live, Vol. One – mewithoutYou

As of writing this in the summer of 2025, volume 2 of this live series has just been released, so volume 1 has recently been in heavy rotation. Mewithoutyou is/was truely a remarkable one-of-a-kind band, which we are all better off for having existed. What a treat these live shows are. The end of the band went out as good as fans would have desired. 2 years notice, anniversary tours, a lengthy goodbye tour, professionally shot and streamed shows, and now these live records. We do not deserve them.

Heaven :x: Hell – Sum 41

Heaven :x: Hell feels almost too on-the-nose. Sum 41 has forever straddled the line between metal and pop punk, and this, thier final record, just lays that out as clearly as possibe: Sum 41 is both. Overall, its a good record. Its a solid goodbye to their fanbase, and if I’m really being honest, it won’t shock me if they reunite in the next 5-10 years

F–1 Trillion – Post Malone

Huh, I didn’t expect this to be here. Its easy, its fun. Crack a bud light lime and sit back, man.

analysis paralysis – Four Year Strong

This is another record I’m cheating with, because I didn’t get in to it until this year, 2025. Its another great Four Year Strong record. I think these guys keep growing and changing, and making interesting records. I’m not sure why I was so reluctant to try this one, but I was the same with the last record, Brain Pain, as well. Lesson learned.

American Motor Sports – Bilmuri

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Lastly, another record I’m cheating with. This band rules. My friends got me in to them earlier this year, so I was introduced to this as well as their back-catalog. They’re a fun/weird band, heavy, poppy, and unafraid to add in a little twang as well.