It is time to reflect on the new 2026 albums that were played and discussed at The Record Club and make an assessment of indie rock and more.
- Trophy Wife – “Pathetic”(picture): Is it the post-punk and indie rock album of the year? With little to no reviews on the web (except for a 5/5 score and review in Far Out Magazine – thanks to them), you could doubt it, but listen to it and we’ll speak again in December, when history will make it right.
- Anthony Szmierek – “Decoding Birdsong”: a UFO in indie-rock this year, electro/dance/dark/spoken-word, just perfectly danceable, great and mysterious at the same time.
- Violet Grohl – “Be Sweet to Me”: Wow, yes, she is the daughter of Dave Grohl (Nirvana, Foo Fighters), but she cites PJ Harvey, while her dad cites Queen, and you can hear it on her beautiful post-grunge debut. I’m quite sure she will rank highly this year.
- Grivo – “Impose”: even more powerful, mysterious, creative and darker than its outstanding predecessor, this new album confirms Grivo as one of the most exciting bands in today’s slowcore, metal and shoegaze scene.
- Cashier – “The Weight EP”: the ultimate celebration of the 90s indie rock sound? In just six songs, Cashier have delivered a remarkable achievement, helping redefine what indie rock can sound like in 2026.
- Nine Inch Noize – “Nine Inch Noize”: What a great idea to put the “live” material from the collaboration between Nine Inch Nails and Boys Noize during their tour last year onto a record. It’s kind of a best-of Nine Inch Nails remixed – a great album.
- Wiki – “Ancient History”: I have had a lot of respect for Wiki’s work since the beginning, but if I had to introduce you to his world, I would pick his new album. It is his best album to date, mixing so many musical styles together, with his unique voice on top.
- Kurt Vile – “Philadelphia’s Been Good to Me”: A great return to the “Neil Young, infinitely cool songs” kind of vibe that we had been missing since b’lieve i’m goin down… (2015).
- Madonna – “Confession II”: Yes, yes, not indie rock at all, but isn’t she alternative-adjacent thanks to the four albums from 1998 to 2005, from Ray of Light to Confessions on a Dance Floor? And her comeback is impressive.
- Black Marble – “Life in Small Spaces”: I loved their first album “A Different Arrangement” in 2012, then lost them, this new album is a bit better than the previous ones, not as dark as the beautiful first album but still so 80’s goth electro.
- Citizen “Halcyon Blues”: Another great album in the middle of the summer, rarely does post-hardcore / emo music sound so perfect, one of the best album of the genre, ever.
- L’Rain – “Fata Morgana”: mixing Pale Saints shoegaze, Nas rap and… Sade! Stunning and mysterious.
- Overmono – “Pure Devotion”: Best electronic album since?
- Ratboys – “Singin’ to an Empty Chair”: Major indie rock album of 2026. Let’s see where it lands in December, but it could well make the Top 10.
- Boards of Canada – “Inferno”: A great return from one of electronic music’s greatest heroes (together with Aphex Twin – and who else?).
- Big Brave – “In Grief or in Hope”: I was among the ten people attending one of their concerts years ago. Now they are growing a much bigger fan base, and with this new album mixing doom with medieval-sounding songs and a voice that sounds like Björk at times, they have delivered a killer album.
- Midrift – “Silhouette”: Typical melodic hardcore. The tradition is safe.
- The Twilight Sad – “It’s the Long Goodbye”: I know that Robert Smith has loved them for a long time, but I have to admit this is the first time I have loved one of their albums. If there is still a tradition in indie rock and goth rock, then The Twilight Sad have nailed it with their new album.
- Alvarius B. – “Malarian Dream”: The most unknown musician on this list, but a genius, mixing slowcore with traditional North African music. It doesn’t hurt that he plays all the instruments himself!
- Swapmeet – “Mount Zero”: They are Australian, and they are part of this new wave of pure indie rock bands (think They Are Gutting a Body of Water or Feeble Little Horse) looking back at the 1990s for inspiration while creating their own sound.
- Tricky – “Different When It’s Silent”: An unexpected return from the trip-hop veteran and cult artist, but in a… post-punk kind of way. The most amazing musical move of the year, and it makes for a great album.
- Feeble Little Horse – “Bitknot”: A surprising new album from this new indie rock wave, stronger than their previous albums and enjoyable from start to finish.
