Get ready for the most anticipated upcoming pop albums of 2026. Many of the biggest names in the music world have confirmed or dropped hints to expect new music next year, so we begin our annual rundown of the most anticipated releases. The year is set to draw several pop divas, musical legends, and rising solo stars to the fore with new releases.
Read our most anticipated studio albums of 2026 below. Let us know on our social channels which you are most excited to hear.
Agnes
Agnes follows up her 2021 pop masterpiece Magic Still Exists with new album Beautiful Madness, arriving on 23 January. The Swedish musical phenomenon has already given us high-energy single smash Milk and the compelling, enigmatic Balenciaga Covered Eyes, showcasing a dark but glamorous artistic vision for the set. The album sees her collaborate with Kerstin Ljungström, Vincent Pontare, Salem Al Fakir, Magnus Lidehäll, Alex Aris and British songwriter Hanna Wilson.
Appleton
One for fans of British pop nostalgia here! Many will remember the hits of All Saints and some of the ladies solo projects between their work as a band – one of the most successful of these was Appleton made up of Nicole and Natalie who released 2003 album Everything’s Eventual. The duo have been hard at work on new music and have lined-up some live dates including a performance at Might Hoopla.
Björk
Björk is set to unveil her first album since 2022’s Fossora with an exhibition in the Reykjavik Arts Festival drip-feeding some of the news, set to premiere this summer, the Festival teased one of the exhibits is “a new work based on music from her forthcoming album, currently in development.” This may not be an official confirmation that the album will arrive this year, but always positive to know Björk is cooking up a new one.
Blondie
Blondie’s follow-up to their 2017 Pollinator LP is lined up for 2026, with Debbie Harry and the band working with producer John Congleton. Band member Chris Stein shared the news, captioning: “With John Congleton. New Blondie record next year.” Blondie are known for evolving their sound with each album, so expect anything from New Wave to electronic pop to classic rock. The album is said to called High Noon and is scheduled for Spring 2026. The late drummer Clem Burke who died in April 2025, will feature on the album.
Blue
UK pop heroes Blue return with their album Reflections on 9 January, with the new original album serving as Duncan, Simon, Antony and Lee’s seventh studio LP. The group gave us a taste of the set with pop-rock anthem One Last Time and the synth-driven gem Beautiful Spiritual. Hopes are high that this will bring the big vocals, tight harmonies and distinctive Blue charisma that the boys excel in.
BTS
With military service behind them, 2026 is set to be a monumental year for BTS, with a new album rumoured for spring 2026. The band shared during their summer livestream: “We’ll be releasing a new BTS album in the spring of next year. Starting in July, all seven of us will begin working closely together on new music. Since it will be a group album, it will reflect each member’s thoughts and ideas. We’re approaching the album with the same mindset we had when we first started.” We have no doubt that BTS will continue to deliver the pop excellence we have come to expect.
Cher
Focus in recent years has been on Cher’s recent Christmas tracks and the first part of her memoir, but the veteran pop legend is said to be plotting a non-holiday studio album, her twenty-eighth in total. Cher last teased the album in November 2024, also sharing that it was likely to be her last studio collection. As a performer who is still going strong twenty years after her Farewell Tour, we will take that last point with a grain of salt.
Courtney Love
Courtney Love centred documentary Antiheroine is debuting at the Sundance Film Festival this year, with part of the documentary expected to focus on the cult rock icon’s current work and return to music. Love has been hard at work on new music for several years now, teasing much of her recent material on social media, however, fans have yet to have any official material since 2019.
Daphne Guinness
Daphne Guinness has recently shared on her social media that she has finished recording album number five, with the star already releasing synth-driven electropop gem 2B Or Not 2B in November. Fans of Daphne’s previous four albums will be aware of her lyrical brilliance, grand thematic concepts and versatile sounds, ranging from euro-disco to glam-rock. We know that the musician’s fifth album will deliver the versatile brilliance we have come to expect.
Elevator Boys
Expectations are high for new music from German multi-hyphenates The Elevator Boys, made up of Bene Schulz, Jacob Rott, Julien Brown, Luis Freitag and Tim Schaecker. The group released singles California and Fever Dream in 2025 and have a big 2026 in store, with their Amazon feature film on the horizon, not to mention more music. Whether a full album from the pop heart-throbs will arrive remains to be seen, but new music, whether an album, EP or singles, is definitely something that gets us excited.
Harry Styles
HS4 may sound like a new high-speed rail service, but instead it is the working name for the upcoming album from UK pop phenomenon Harry Styles. The rumour mill has been going into overdrive, suggesting the album cover has been shot and the new set is ready to go, alongside a 2026 stadium tour. Watch this space.
Hilary Duff
Hilary Duff’s first album in ten years, luck…or something, is set for release on 20 February and will include fresh single Mature. Navigating back to the world of pop-rock and co-written by Hilary and her husband, songwriter-producer Matthew Koma, the album features 11 brand-new tracks. On the single, Hilary shared: “Mature is a little conversation that my present self is having with my younger self. The two of us are reflecting on a past experience and sending love to each other. It’s a chuckle, a wink, and a sense of being grateful that we are sure footed in where we landed.”
Jessie Ware
Jessie shared with fans via her newsletter prior to Christmas: “I’m pretty good; I’ve mastered my record, shot the artwork, done my press shots and I’m currently waiting for the first cut of my new music video to land in my inbox this evening! So next week all I will be thinking about is my red cabbage, stuffing and whether the turkey is moist (hopefully).” We’re hoping for more What’s Your Pleasure? than That Feels Good.
Lana Del Rey
The tenth album from Lana Del Rey is expected this January under the working title Stove. Said to take a more country-leaning slant, it is not a complete musical detour from her previous sound. The album is said to feature new tracks Stars Fell on Alabama, Quiet in the South and 57.5, as well as potentially including previous singles Bluebird and Henry, Come Home. Lana is thought to have worked with Jack Antonoff, Drew Erickson and Luke Laird on the project.
Louis Tomlinson
Louis’s upcoming album How Did I Get Here? arrives on 23 January and has been preceded by the bombastic pop-rock single Lemonade. Recorded in Costa Rica with producer Nico Rebscher, Louis shares: “Taking all of the steps I did to get here was important. I needed the confidence to become the artist I wanted to be and make a hopefully big, but personal album. I think I did.”
Madonna
The Queen of Pop is labelling her 2026 album Confessions Part 2, although the title is expected to change, and while the name may shift, we hope the vibe will not. Madonna reunites with collaborator Stuart Price, signalling a return to the dancefloor after the Portuguese-inspired pop of Madame X in 2019. Six years without a Madonna album has felt like a real drought in the pop world and we cannot wait to be awed, stunned and left agape by whatever she has in store.
Max Barskih
Ukrainian star Max Barskih has been teasing his upcoming English-language album for some time, including in our 2022 interview, and from what we have heard so far it will be worth the wait. Max has recently released singles Mine, Sound of Bloom, Stomach Butterflies and Someone New, many of which are expected to appear on the album. Bringing Eastern flavour, emotion and slick, danceable grooves, Max is destined to be met with adoration from English-speaking pop fans.
Melanie C
Arriving on 1 May, Melanie C’s new album Sweat is bound to be a pop highlight of 2026. The Spice Girl shares: “I’ve done a lot of soul-searching. Now I just want to have some fun and get people dancing again.” She continues: “There are so many horrific things going on in the world; when you make pop and dance music, it can seem almost churlish. But music is what gets me through tough moments. I’m really happy I’m bringing out a joyful record at a very dark time.”
Mika
Mika’s long-awaited new English-language album Hyperlove is scheduled for release on 23 January. On Hyperlove, Mika explores the tension between the digital world and the fragility of human feeling, describing “the electricity that jumps between the plus and minus of a charge… hyper-love and hyper-living are about embracing that euphoria that helps you make sense of the world around you.” He has already given us a flavour of what to expect with the deliciously high-energy Immortal Love and the musically fascinating Modern Times.
Natalie Imbruglia
The Aussie pop legend looks set to follow-up her album Firebird released back in 2021 with a new album in 2026. The star shared on social media: “Two more songs to mix before I do my track listing which is one of my favourite parts of the process… I think this is my best album yet,” back in December 2025. Hopefully we have another Left of the Middle coming!
Niall Horan
Another former One Direction member set to release in 2026 is Niall Horan. The star recently revealed that his upcoming album feels more mature than his previous releases, sharing: “I recorded this one a bit differently than my past albums. I’d go in, step away, and then come back with fresh ideas.” After his 2023 album The Show became one of our highlights of that year, we are excited to hear what Niall has in store.
Nick Jonas
We love the combined might of the Jonas Brothers, but we also have an equally weighted love for Nick Jonas’s solo work. The 33-year-old pop talent returns with new album Sunday Best on 6 February, preceded by single Gut Punch, which arrives on New Year’s Day. Nick is said to channel more of a singer-songwriter vibe on the set, which is rumoured to be rooted in a stripped-back gospel- and country-flavoured style. Nick shares: “I’m so excited to share these new stories, candid thoughts, quiet walks home in the city, and snapshots of my life over these past few years. While this album was made over the course of the last two years, it was truly 33 years in the making.”
Olya Polyakova
We have been desperate for an English-language album from Olya Polyakova ever since the Ukrainian star featured with Army of Lovers on Love Is Blue back in 2023. Since then, Olya has delivered the incredible banger Warrior, a high-energy slice of europop heaven featuring UK LGBT group The Force Choir. Warrior serves as an ode to empowerment and the first tantalising single from Olya’s upcoming English-language album, on which she collaborates with producers Red Triangle.
Patty Pravo
The Grande Dame of Italian Pop is set to return with a long-awaited new studio in March 2026. The set which will coincide with her San Remo anthem Opera will also contain recent singles Ratanan and Ho provare tutto. Fans will also be excited to hear that Madonna has recently been drawing a lot of influence from Queen Patty and is rumoured to be covering a Patty classic for a new fragrance campaign.
Raye
Set to embark on one of the music world’s most anticipated tours, Raye is also gearing up for further new music following her 2025 banger Where Is My Husband. With an album available for pre-order, despite no release date, expect lots of emotion and nostalgic influence. The hitmaker teased further new song The Winter Woman last summer, sharing on Instagram: “i know it’s July but i’ve been writing this song called The Winter Woman. The sad feelings we wrestle with do make great songs I think, and considering this seems to be a chapter in my life where I am swimming through some personal aches and pains, I’d say this album is now beginning to move swimmingly. Every cloud..”
Robyn
Robyn is set to follow up her single Dopamine with an eagerly anticipated new album, her first since 2018. Said to have worked with producer Klas Åhlund, she is rumoured to be crafting a project titled Sexistential, inspired by both her classic synth-driven sound and current stars in the industry. Dopamine proved an enticing first taste, delivering slow-burning synthpop perfection.
Sam Hunt
The elusive country king shared during the summer that he was focused on making an album rather than releasing standalone singles, taking time off the road in 2025 to prioritise the project. While he did release his Locked Up EP in 2024, Sam stayed true to his promise of new music. His debut album Montevallo made him a global star in 2014, yet it took six years for follow-up Southside to arrive in 2020. Mathematically speaking, sticking to Sam’s six-year gap suggests his third album could land in 2026.
Sam Quealy
Rising Hi-NRG and synthpop queen Sam Quealy will release her album Jawbreaker on 30 January, offering a sugary pop escape from the winter blues. The Australian star, now based in Paris, describes her second LP as “bold, addictive, and dangerously fun — a sugar-coated explosion of chaos, glamour, and emotion.” Lead single Londontown is a euphoric pop delight that has us quivering with anticipation for her latest opus.
Scissor Sisters
After the success of their comeback tour in 2025, Scissor Sisters have been back in the studio with members Jake Shears, Baby Daddy and Del Marquis. Since signing with Fascination Management (who have handled Steps since their brilliant comeback), we have high hopes that Scissor Sisters and their new music could be equally fantastic.
Soft Cell
The tragic passing of synthpop pioneer Dave Ball marks the sad end of Soft Cell’s beautiful musical journey, yet we still have Ball’s final Soft Cell album to come in 2026. Working with bandmate and pop legend Marc Almond, the pair crafted the duo’s last set, Danceteria, scheduled for release in spring 2026. Named after the infamous New York nightclub that hosted Soft Cell’s Non-Stop Erotic Cabaret US launch party, Marc shared: “I have loved working on this album. Dave’s music has once again inspired me to write a set of lyrics that this time reflect a time in my life in New York in the early 80s, at a particular creative and pivotal time of changes in my personal life and the city itself. Some of the songs are very personal.”
Stephen Sanchez
Currently impressing with nostalgic EP Dress and Tie with Devi, 2026 will also mark a year of Stephen Sanchez’s solo music. The pop troubadour is set to follow up his 2023 album Angel Face, though details remain scarce. Whether he leans further into crooner territory, late-fifties rock and roll or something more contemporary remains to be seen. Watch this space.
Stevie Nicks
The Fleetwood Mac legend is set to follow up her standalone single The Lighthouse with a full album. Tentatively titled The Ghost Record, the project is said to feature deeply autobiographical lyricism inspired by Stevie’s life and loves, with writing spurred by the trauma of escaping the LA fires. Early listens from her team have drawn comparisons to her classic solo debut Bella Donna.
The Hardkiss
Ukraine’s The Hardkiss have delivered several tasters of their upcoming 2026 album with Crush, Tenderness and AiAiAi. The album is set to showcase their electronic rock and pop sound, channelling powerful emotion, an understandable response to the challenges Ukraine has faced in recent years.
Tori Amos
Tori Amos returns with her new album In Times of Dragons in 2026, accompanying the announcement with a very Tori statement: “In Times of Dragons is a metaphorical story about the fight for Democracy over Tyranny, reflecting the current abhorrent non accidental burning down of democracy in real time by the ‘Dictator believing Lizard Demons’ in their usurpation of America.” There you go.
Zayn
Zayn returns with a follow-up to the brilliant Room Under the Stairs, shifting away from the sonic territory of that 2024 album. Instead, he is set to channel his South Asian roots and potentially include Urdu lyrics on a project he describes as a continuation of his acclaimed debut Mind of Mine. A return to the R&B-pop of hits like Pillowtalk, Like I Would and TiO would be more than welcome.
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