Best albums of 2026 so far



Jazz and jazz fusion:

Hey Love! Lucy Yeghiazaryan (spotify). Vocal jazz by an Armenian-American. Hey Love!" was recorded at the historic Van Gelder Studio in Englewood Cliffs, NJ, and released by La Reserve Records. The album serves as an affectionate, deeply felt tribute to the Great American Songbook, while also reflecting a personal milestone: it is her first recording as a new mother. Produced alongside Richard Stepanian and arranged with her husband, tenor saxophonist Grant Stewart, the record features a heavy-hitting hard bop lineup including Peter Washington (bass), Kenny Washington (drums), Tardo Hammer (piano), Bruce Harris (trumpet), and guest pianist/vocalist Johnny O'Neal. Rather than treating standards as distant historical museum pieces, Hey Love! approaches them with warm intimacy and direct emotional connection. Critics have highlighted how the album frames love in its many forms—family, artistic fellowship, and romantic partnership—grounded in an unhurried, conversational atmosphere.

DOMi and JD Beck Who Asked? (spotify). Not super jazzy, but well manicured and intense. Second albums can be tough, but these musicians show they need to be kept track of, looking forward to more output. 

James Brandon Lewis Omni (spotify). Amazing saxophone lead album. 

Julian Lage Scenes from Above on Spotify: Produced by Joe Henry, the record marks a shift from his previous works by focusing heavily on an "egalitarian" group dynamic, presenting Lage not just as a bandleader but as an integrated band member. John Medeski (of Medeski Martin & Wood) on organ and piano, Jorge Roeder on upright bass, Kenny Wollesen on drums. Sebastian Scotney, writing for The Arts Desk, commented, "Scenes From Above hopefully shows him [Lage] entering a new phase. It is a very classy album indeed." I particularly like track 5, Night Shade. 




Pop:

They Might Be Giants The World Is to Dig (spotify). They're still spinning out catchy tunes.


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