Halfway to CTRL+ALT+REPEAT: Best Songs of 2026 So Far
“Pretty, Pink and Soft,” “HELLSTAR,” “My Maker,” and “Kind of Girl I Am” are some of the best songs of 2026 so far.
Off the Record’s annual CTRL+ALT+REPEAT series recaps the year’s greatest musical gifts each December. But with 2026’s soundtrack already brimming with year-defining earworms, we just couldn’t wait. From January to June, we’ve danced along to the dynamic returns of MUNA and Harry Styles, gone to riff heaven with newcomers like Westside Cowboy, and reached catharsis with OTR zine features Friko and Edgehill. In no particular order, here are the tracks that exemplified alternative, indie, and rock excellence in the first half of 2026.
“My Maker” by Snail Mail
“In the dark” by venturing
“…hospice” by Static Dress
“Fable” by For Opal
“Certainty” by Friko
“Rewind” by feeble little horse
“Drone Song” by Edgehill
“Kind of Girl I Am” by Trophy Wife
“Pretty, Pink and Soft” by The Army, The Navy
“Undiscovered” by Grace Enger
“Cowboy Without a Clue” by Yumi Zouma
“Stupid Bitches” by Grace Ives
Watch the music video for “Secret Language” on Youtube.
“Secret Language” by Ryan Beatty
“Wait Forever” by Fazed on a Pony
“It Gets So Hot” by MUNA
“Tonight” by girlsweetvoiced
“Holy Grail” by Vacations
“If I Leave” by Mitski
“Out in the Garden” by Sofia Isella
“Fabienk” by Angine de Poitrine
“The Wahs” by Westside Cowboy
“Anhedonia” by Cardinals
“The Cure” by Olivia Rodrigo
“Upside Down” by feeble little horse
Watch the music video for “Do You Really Love Her” on YouTube.
“Do You Really Love Her” by Spacey Jane
“KGB” by ADÉLA
“Snake The Drain” by Devon Again
“Coming Up Roses” by Harry Styles
“Doors” by Noah Kahan
“How Did It Happen to You” by Hathway
“Shoestring” by Junior Varsity and Oxis
“Nightjar” by Turnover
“Got Time” by Rum Jungle
“Golden Chain” by Hannah Cohen
“Smoking Fish” by Strawberry Milk Cult
“HELLSTAR” by Genesis Owusu and Duckwrth