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

Buoy tunes for the flood: float and the world floats with you

(Top ten songs that kept me going in 2026, in NO particular ORDER)

1 Saya Grey - Some Days Are Made for Rain

2 J. Cole - Poor Thang

3 VV Lightbody - Precious Moments

4 Damien Jurado - This Time with Guns

5 Robyn - Blow my Mind

6 Stephen Wilson Jr. feat. Miranda Lambert - Hardwired

7 Kevin Morby - Javelin

8 Tinariwen - amidinim ehaf solan

9 Dua Saleh feat. Bon Iver - Flood

10 Semisonic - Don't Give up Yet

Musical highlight of 2026: Joining the Music Services team at MPR!!! It's been like walking into my favorite film.

Top 89 of 2026: Staff Picks Playlist