Music review – Breaking News & Latest Updates 2026
Skip to main content
The homepageThe VergeThe Verge logo.
The homepageThe VergeThe Verge logo.

Music Review

Room for the Moon is thrillingly weird experimental popRoom for the Moon is thrillingly weird experimental pop
Los Thuthanaka’s Wak’a is a mellower follow-up to last year’s surprise Pitchfork favoriteLos Thuthanaka’s Wak’a is a mellower follow-up to last year’s surprise Pitchfork favorite
Topical Dancer is propulsive, playful, and politicalTopical Dancer is propulsive, playful, and political
Sotomayor’s Wabi Sabi is the funnest record of 2026Sotomayor’s Wabi Sabi is the funnest record of 2026
Mabe Fratti makes irresistible genre-hopping experimental cello popMabe Fratti makes irresistible genre-hopping experimental cello pop
Laurie Spiegel’s The Expanding Universe is a masterpiece of early ambient musicLaurie Spiegel’s The Expanding Universe is a masterpiece of early ambient music
You need to listen to the new Mandy, Indiana record: URGHYou need to listen to the new Mandy, Indiana record: URGH
M83’s icy Dead Cities, Red Seas & Lost Ghosts is the perfect blizzard soundtrackM83’s icy Dead Cities, Red Seas & Lost Ghosts is the perfect blizzard soundtrack
Billy Woods’ Golliwog is a horrorcore masterpiece for the A24 crowdBilly Woods’ Golliwog is a horrorcore masterpiece for the A24 crowd
Sudan Archives’ The BPM is a violin opus for the clubSudan Archives’ The BPM is a violin opus for the club
Bon Iver obscures his vulnerability with vocal effects on 22, A MillionBon Iver obscures his vulnerability with vocal effects on 22, A Million
Frank Ocean’s Blonde exists in a beautiful limbo

Four years after his last release, Frank Ocean still isn’t any easier to define

Lizzie Plaugic
Frank Ocean’s visual album Endless is an exercise in enjoying the waitFrank Ocean’s visual album Endless is an exercise in enjoying the wait
Rae Sremmurd are out to prove they’re not just a noveltyRae Sremmurd are out to prove they’re not just a novelty
Nao’s peculiar voice is what makes her debut album For All We Know stand outNao’s peculiar voice is what makes her debut album For All We Know stand out
nonkeen’s new music captures the joy of lifelong friendshipnonkeen’s new music captures the joy of lifelong friendship
The Avalanches’ long-awaited new album Wildflower enables musical escapismThe Avalanches’ long-awaited new album Wildflower enables musical escapism
Shura’s debut album Nothing’s Real feels like comfort amid chaosShura’s debut album Nothing’s Real feels like comfort amid chaos
Pioneering producers Lindstrøm and Aphex Twin are still at the peak of their powersPioneering producers Lindstrøm and Aphex Twin are still at the peak of their powers
Bat for Lashes and Blood Orange push the boundaries of musical storytelling

On Freetown Sound and The Bride, two alt-pop auteurs find independence by looking outside themselves.

Jamieson Cox
Deerhoof’s new album proves they’re still one of the coolest bands workingDeerhoof’s new album proves they’re still one of the coolest bands working
Disclosure’s new EP is good enough to win you backDisclosure’s new EP is good enough to win you back
Mitski’s new album Puberty 2 will make you feel like a teen againMitski’s new album Puberty 2 will make you feel like a teen again
Nick Jonas really wants to be your favorite male pop starNick Jonas really wants to be your favorite male pop star
Tegan and Sara’s Love You to Death is pop music for grown-upsTegan and Sara’s Love You to Death is pop music for grown-ups
Time eaters: reviewing new albums from Lone, Flume, and Gold PandaTime eaters: reviewing new albums from Lone, Flume, and Gold Panda
Checking in with pop’s B-list: Fifth Harmony, Ariana Grande, and Meghan Trainor

How do you go from ‘great’ to ‘transcendent?’

Jamieson Cox
On Coloring Book, Chance the Rapper wades joyfully into new territoryOn Coloring Book, Chance the Rapper wades joyfully into new territory
Jessy Lanza’s new album Oh No commands your attentionJessy Lanza’s new album Oh No commands your attention
Radiohead’s new album A Moon Shaped Pool turns anxiety into generosityRadiohead’s new album A Moon Shaped Pool turns anxiety into generosity
On The Colour in Anything, James Blake finds comfort in emptinessOn The Colour in Anything, James Blake finds comfort in emptiness
ANOHNI’s new album HOPELESSNESS is stunning, strident protest musicANOHNI’s new album HOPELESSNESS is stunning, strident protest music
Julianna Barwick’s Will is a meditative album that has blissfully little to do with 2016Julianna Barwick’s Will is a meditative album that has blissfully little to do with 2016
Kaytranada sounds cool and confident on his debut album 99.9%Kaytranada sounds cool and confident on his debut album 99.9%
Views is the sound of Drake at his best, worst, and Drakiest

The Toronto star hits the reset button on his career with his new LP

Jamieson Cox
Brian Eno’s The Ship, and the family tree of ambient musicBrian Eno’s The Ship, and the family tree of ambient music
Beyoncé‘s Lemonade is a dazzling social drama with a decent soundtrackBeyoncé‘s Lemonade is a dazzling social drama with a decent soundtrack
M83’s new album Junk is a befuddling messM83’s new album Junk is a befuddling mess
Gallant and dvsn’s debut albums are two wildly different takes on alt-R&BGallant and dvsn’s debut albums are two wildly different takes on alt-R&B
Leon Vynehall’s Rojus turns a tropical club night into an intimate experienceLeon Vynehall’s Rojus turns a tropical club night into an intimate experience

Most Popular

Most Popular
  1. Meta’s historic loss in court could cost a lot more than $375 million
  2. Apple raises the Mac Mini’s starting price
  3. Spirit Airlines shuts down after Trump’s war on Iran doubled jet fuel prices
  4. Anker’s discounted 2-in-1 USB-C cable is a great way to spend $15
  5. How the internet’s favorite squirrel dad made the hottest camera app of 2026