Lana Del Rey, Madonna, Charli XCX: Biggest musical releases slated for 2026

2026 is about to experience a huge splash on the musical scene.

With several big names set to drop new music, critics and fans alike are on the lookout for the next crop of trends, à la the Brat era or the Showgirl aesthetic.

Without further ado, let’s have a look at the most anticipated albums coming out in 2026.

Lana Del Rey

Lana Del Rey has promised a return to her roots with a new album, slated to be released sometime in January, according to her August 2025 interview with W Magazine. However, Nylon cautioned that the announcement should be taken “with a grain of salt” since the anonymous album’s original release was set for May 2025.

Madonna

The Queen of Pop is set to release two new projects this year — an original album and a sequel to her popular dance album, Confessions on a Dance Floor. Though Madonna’s release schedule is not yet known, a potential album launch will mark her first in seven years.

Charli XCX

The mother of Brat will likely delight her thrill-seeking fans with the exciting soundtrack album Wuthering Heights, serving as a companion to Emerald Fennell’s upcoming film of the same name, starring Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi. The project will be released on February 13, a day ahead of the movie.

Björk

Björk will release new music with a twist — the subversive Icelandic musician will open a new art exhibition at her country’s Art Museum in May 2026, which will be based on the music from her upcoming album, currently in progress.

BTS

The K-pop sensation, musical group BTS will join forces for the first time in a while to release new music on March 20. The bandmates came back after a considerable hiatus, during which all of them completed their mandatory military service in South Korea, while others worked on solo projects.

A$AP Rocky

While Rihanna has notoriously stepped away from music, her equally famous beau, A$AP Rocky is set to release new music on January 16. Titled Don’t Be Dumb, the album has sparked buzz for being his first musical project since his acquittal on felony assault charges back in February 2025, while Numéro has reported that the album is boasting “persistent rumors of a feature” with his musically reclusive girlfriend.