The end of the year is upon us, and it's time to reflect on your favorite music of 2026! Here are Barry Gisser’s favorite songs of the year.

Once you've made your own list, vote in The Current's Top 89 poll by Monday, Nov. 16, and you’ll be entered for a chance to win a pair of coveted tickets to both nights of Brandi Carlile: Burn the Setlist (The All Request Tour) taking place Tuesday, Nov. 17, and Wednesday, Nov. 18, at the State Theatre in downtown Minneapolis.

The Current will count down your Top 89 of 2026 at 6 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 31.

Top 10 Songs

10. Looking Away – Monotronic. Little electronic, a little rock, a lot of fun.

9. Going to Babble On – The Strokes. Pop music’s chameleons take on Squeeze as Julian Casablancas channels Glenn Tillbrook. Squeeze even had an album called Babylon and On. Well done.

8. Burning Out – The Linda Lindas. Third Year in a Row with a single on my list. They Rock. Period. The End

7. No More Regrets – almost Monday. Danceable pop music that even a CFO might be able to move to (maybe)

6. SOS – post sex nachos. Had me at the name.

5. Mountain Girl – Josiah and the Bonnevilles. Never thought I’d pick something that opens with harmonica in my Top 10. Ever. And he pulls off rhyming hill and deal.

4. Kiss Me Goodbye – Lovely the Band. Opens with a little Supremes riff going on. My 4th SoCal band on the list. Coincidence or trend?

3. The Bitter End – Trashcan Sinatras – Wow. These Scots were so close a long time ago but keep plugging and making great music.

2. I Can Take the Sun Out of the Sky. – Brigette Calls Me Baby. Exciting to see them find their own sound. I never liked Morrissey anyway.

1. I Played the Fool (from Rooster) – Michael Stipe and Andrew Watt. Alas as close to new REM music as we may ever see. Michael, please lose the beard.

Bonus Track: Cleveland! - Taylor Swift. Hey, I’m from The Heights. Must be on the list. Period.

Top 89 of 2026: Staff Picks Playlist