It's the midway point of 2026, and it's safe to say that when it comes to the best songs of the year, there's not really any consensus to be found. So we've assembled our personal Top 10 list of the most memorable songs to cross our paths, including the outlaw country of Charley Crockett, the glam rock of Friko, Lana Del Rey's twisted ode to love, Vince Staples' "White Flag" and more.
NPR Music's Sheldon Pearce joins host Robin Hilton.
Reviews help! Leave us one on Apple or Spotify wherever you listen to podcasts. Questions, comments, suggestions or feedback of any kind always welcome: allsongs@npr.org.
Featured artists and songs
- Mandy, Indiana: "try saying" from URGH
- Aldous Harding: "Coats" from Train On The Island
- Vince Staples: "White Flag" from Cry Baby
- Yebba: "Yellow Eyes" from Jean
- Friko: "Seven Degrees" from Something Worth Waiting For
- Charley Crockett: "Kentucky Too Long" from Age of the Ram
- Lana Del Rey: "White Feather Hawk Tail Deer Hunter" (Single)
- Baby Rose: "Friends Again" (feat. Leon Thomas) from YEARNALISM
- Mumford & Sons: "Rubber Band Man" (with Hozier) from Prizefighter
- Irreversible Entanglements: "Don't Lose Your Head" (feat. MOTHERBOARD) from Future Present Past
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