The end of the year is upon us, and it's time to reflect on your favorite music of 2026! Here are Reed Fischer’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 Albums (with fave track)

Lambchop – Punching the Clown (“The New World Wave”)

Kevin Morby – Little Wide Open (“Badlands”)

Greg Freeman – All Set the Bone (“Loser’s Prize”)

This Is Lorelei – The Singer In My Band (“The Kid With the Crown”)

Sylvan Esso – Ow ∞ (“Hot Slob”)

Fontaines D.C. – Dopamine Chamber (“Mimesis”)

Wishy – Nature’s Pill (“Kiss Kiss Kiss”)

Cameron Winter – Live at Carnegie Hall (“The Rolling Stones”)

Ratboys – Singin’ to an Empty Chair (“What’s Right?”)

Twisted Teens – Florida Water Blues (“Guided Thunder”)

Top 15 Songs (on other albums)

Steve Lacy – “the feeling” from Oh yeah?

Charli xcx – “SS26” from Music, Fashion, Film

Heathers – “I Believe In You” from Awesome

DIIV – “Kid” from ZIRP!

Kurt Vile – “Chance to Bleed” from Philadelphia’s been good to me

Robyn – “Sucker for Love” from Sexistential

The Strokes – “Lonely in the Future” from Reality Awaits

Gorillaz – “Orange County” from The Mountain

underscores – “Tell Me (U Want It)” from U

Joyce Manor – “Well, Whatever It Was” from I Used to Go to This Bar

The Womack Sisters – “If I Let You” from The Womack Sisters

hey, nothing – “Arteries” from Hound

GENA – “This Is So Crazy” from The Pleasure Is Yours

Isaiah Rashad – “SUPAFICIAL” from IT’S BEEN AWFUL

World News – “Everything Is Coming Up Roses” from In Purgatory

Top 10 Minnesota Albums (with fave track)

True Green – Hail Disaster (“Bodysurfing”)

Ghosting Merit – BELONGING (“Clementine”)

Dua Saleh – Of Earth & Wires (“I Do, I Do”)

papa mbye – JAKAARLO (“SOME OTHER TIME”)

Megasound – Megasound (“Dog Leash”)

Willem Dafoe Fan Club – Be My Muse (“Falling Faster”)

POLIÇA – Better Live (“As Before”)

The Jayhawks – Sanctuary Park (“Mr. Lincoln”)

Pit Stop – Pitted (“Sycamore”)

Hot Freaks – Soft Body (“Big Arms Boyfriend”)

Top 89 of 2026: Staff Picks Playlist