The best rock album of 2026 won’t be released for a couple more months

by

I generally try not to form opinions before I have all the facts, but I’m only human. I imagine scientists could pinpoint the exact part of my brain that makes it hard for me to be truly open-minded, despite my best efforts. With that in mind, as I’m saying now, I’ve already chosen my favorite rock album of 2026 – and it hasn’t even come out yet, as its release is still a few months away.

I have to share this now that Pitchfork published their list of the 64 most anticipated albums for Spring 2026 – and surprisingly, it didn’t include the album I’m most excited about for all of 2026! I won’t make you wait much longer to hear what it is – I know you’re eager to find out – but first, I want to share my thoughts on Pitchfork.

I often browse those “best of” lists. I usually know I won’t be interested in most of the things they pick – a lot of it is unfamiliar, which is actually kind of interesting. But mostly, I’ve heard of the selections and just don’t feel the same enthusiasm.

One music fan’s most-anticipated album of 2026

If you’re drawn to descriptive terms like “hypnagogic electronics” or “a mix of Gregorian chants,” you’ll probably enjoy the music featured on Pitchfork’s list. As someone who writes about music, I know it’s important to find fresh ways to describe sounds. But it seems like a lot of people are really into genres like shoegaze and anything ending in “-core” more than I am.

I think they all read Pitchfork.

I’ll stop criticizing now. Even though I often dislike the kind of dreamy, atmospheric music Pitchfork usually covers – as described in their recent article – it has introduced me to a lot of new artists I wouldn’t have found otherwise, and I’ve actually ended up really liking some of them.

Even though it’s been difficult to get excited about the lineup – which includes both huge acts like Foo Fighters and Faces, and lesser-known artists like Hiss Golden Messenger and Kathryn Mohr – there are still a few performances I’m really looking forward to.

Okay, so the lineup is seriously amazing – we’re talking Kacey Musgraves, Olivia Rodrigo, even Tori Amos and Courtney Barnett! I was starting to wonder if there were any guys I was excited about, but then I remembered King Tuff! He might not be as well-known as some of the others, but I’m definitely looking forward to hearing what he’s got.

There are likely many great albums on this list that I haven’t explored yet, and I plan to listen to them eventually. However, I already suspect most won’t appeal to my personal preferences.

I would have included another album on my predicted list if Eric D. Johnson’s Fruit Bats release, The Landfill, had been chosen. However, it wasn’t. Albums by Ashley McBryde and Vincent Neil Emerson were also left off the list.

I can forgive them all that.

They left out the album New Self by the Bobby Lees, and that’s something I simply can’t overlook.

It’s been three and a half years since The Bobby Lees released their last album, Bellevue. The band had previously broken up, which was a real loss for fans of energetic rock and roll. Now, with their return and a deal with Epitaph Records, it’s exciting news that deserves attention.

I wondered if Pitchfork was ending their “Spring” coverage at the end of May, which would explain why certain releases weren’t included. The new album, New Self, comes out June 12th, but DCFC’s album is already scheduled for June 5th. I didn’t see any other June releases on Pitchfork’s list, but they’ve established a pattern of ending “Spring” coverage around June 21st.

Am I being too enthusiastic about The Bobby Lees? Check out their new singles, especially the title track and “Napoleon.” I’ve listened to them both a lot, and they still sound amazing every time – they really hold up!

In the song “Napoleon,” Sam Quartin, the singer and guitarist, powerfully recounts the band’s short but exciting story. She begins with a raw and honest confession…

“It’s hard to believe in yourself when the thought it’s just not – it’s not natural for me.”

Kendall Wind’s powerful bass provides the energy for the song, and Quartin’s guitar adds layers of detail and feeling. Quartin is looking for guidance after receiving high praise – even Iggy Pop and Debbie Harry are fans! Picture yourself moshing with enthusiastic supporters like Henry Rollins and Jason Momoa – they’re big fans of the band too.

The song “New Self” begins with a strong bassline, launching into an energetic and revitalizing track. Any worries that the band’s sound would be diminished without lead guitarist Nick Casa are quickly dismissed thanks to the powerful combination of Macky Bowman’s driving bass, drums, and chords.

I’m not a huge fan of Bobby Lees, and I’ll admit some of the latter half of their 2020 album, Skin Suit, isn’t their best work. However, that part of the album does include the great song “Drive” and a fantastic cover of Richard Hell’s “Blank Generation.” So, even if some tracks aren’t perfect, it’s worth listening to the whole thing.

Maybe I am a fanboy.

If you grew up with classic rock and feel like it ended with artists like Buddy Holly, Ronnie Van Zant, or Kurt Cobain, I urge you to listen to the new album by The Bobby Lees, which will be released on June 12th.

Which, I hope we can all agree, is in fact, in the spring.

Read More

2026-03-27 15:00