{
  "$type": "site.standard.document",
  "bskyPostRef": {
    "cid": "bafyreic642yzpqxtwivnbhgkheoenkq7nuvunvn66merrcs5jwctiayoea",
    "uri": "at://did:plc:i2p7nskiaoyjsmjbnisy53ig/app.bsky.feed.post/3mm3e3a3lfvn2"
  },
  "coverImage": {
    "$type": "blob",
    "ref": {
      "$link": "bafkreicqvchq6fnoppwfilcemfltjdia4qxpi6h7qrrgpn3vkwk4cdvfxe"
    },
    "mimeType": "image/jpeg",
    "size": 478381
  },
  "description": "Quick list of my top 2026 music picks as of the end of May (or close to it).",
  "path": "/best-music-of-2026-jan-may/",
  "publishedAt": "2026-05-17T21:55:43.000Z",
  "site": "https://krrd.ing",
  "tags": [
    "Bandcamp",
    "Qobuz",
    "lp4",
    "Fenian",
    "Under My Umbrella",
    "Hotwire Trip Switch",
    "Something Worth Waiting For"
  ],
  "textContent": "### MX LONELY - All Monsters\n\n**Released:** Feb 20 2026\n\n _find it on_ Bandcamp_or wherever you stream music_\n\nThis is my favorite album of 2026 so far. It’s just fantastic and will be hard to beat I imagine. Genre wise, it rests somewhere between shoegaze and grunge. If you were only going to listen to one from this list, make it this - it’s worth it.\n\n**Stand out songs:**  _Big Hips_ ,  _All Monsters Go To Heaven_\n\n## Backengrillen - self titled\n\n**Released:** January 23 2026\n\n _find it on_ Bandcamp_and maybe only on Bandcamp_\n\nThis album was a great one to start off the year. Descibed on their bandcamp page as  _”anti-fascist, anti-racist, free form death jazz”_ and yeah that description fits. It’s heavy and chaotic, has saxophones and flutes and the hardcore signer Dennis Lyxzén (from **Refused**). It gets regular play time in my care when I’m on my own or with my daughter (my wife and son can’t stand it).\n\n**Stand out songs:**  _A Hate Inferior_ ,  _socialism or barbarism_\n\n## Joyce Manor - I Used To Go To This Bar\n\n**Released:** January 30 2026\n\n _find it on_ Bandcamp_or wherever you stream music_\n\nThis is much more conventional pop punk but really will done. It’s hard not to find your foot tapping or head bobbing in time with the music.\n\n**Stand out songs:**  _Falling into it_ ,  _All My Friends Are So Depressed_\n\n## Held. - GREY\n\n**Released:** May 15 2026\n\n _find it on_ Bandcamp_or wherever you stream music_\n\nThis is definitely a new addition but it’s quite good. It’s a collab from members of **The Sleeper** and **Coheed and Cambria** and is some fantastic post-hardcore music. I’m absolutely loving it so far.\n\n**Stand out songs:**  _Constant Tension_ ,  _I and I Against You All_\n\n## Koyo - Barely Here\n\n**Released:** May 8 2026\n\n _find it on_ Bandcamp_or wherever you stream_\n\nGreat emo with a hardcore edge. This is another new one that is really sticking with me. It reminds me  _a lot_ of an album I loved in college - **Finch’s**  _What it is to Burn_.\n\n**Stand out songs:**  _Jet Stream Wish_ ,  _It Happens To The Best Of Us_ ,  _You Hate Me_\n\n## Broken Social Scene - Remember the Humans\n\n**Released:** May 8 2026\n\n _find it on_ Bandcamp_or wherever you stream_\n\nStraight up good quality indie rock. BSS have been around forever and their music is always worth a listen. This particular album feels a bit more ambient - at times when I’ve listened I’ve found it fading into the background in really pleasant ways.\n\n**Stand out songs:**  _Life Within the Ground_ ,  _Think of You_ ,  _Hey Amanda_\n\n## Raye - This Music May Contain Hope\n\n**Released:** March 26 2026\n\n _find it on_ Qobuz_or wherever you stream_\n\nRaye’s story is eye opening in regards to the music industry. I’m so glad she’s able to release on her own terms now - she’s amazingly creative. This album is fantastic pop with deep soul and, as the title implies, hope. It also breaks the fourth wall of an album in interesting ways - she’s unafraid to be herself with her music.\n\n**Stand out songs:**  _Life Boat._ ,  _Click Clack Symphony_ ,  _Joy._\n\n## Honorable Mentions:\n\nThese are albums I’m still exploring and could easily find themselves on my end of year list.\n\n  * **American Football** - lp4\n  * **Kneecap** - Fenian\n  * **Miss Grit** - Under My Umbrella\n  * **Prince Daddy & The Hyena** - Hotwire Trip Switch\n  * **Friko** - Something Worth Waiting For\n\n",
  "title": "Best Music of 2026: Jan - May",
  "updatedAt": "2026-05-17T21:55:43.862Z"
}