The fact that we are here and talking about (well, to be fair, I just list stuff here based on what I like, so your preference doesn’t really fit into that – but hey, I hope we have some overlapping, which means I can affirm what you already know, or even better, show you something you didn’t know before and help you out like that) – get that thought back from the beginning of the sentence until I derailed my intro blurb – AUGUST 2026 and its best releases means we are in September, the summer is practically done, and the end of the year is somehow near. That’s wild. Did anything happen in 2026?
Computer – Creature
August 6 // Independent
This band is not only the nightmare for everyone who wants to search on the internet for them, but a very charming, New York-based math rock band with just the right amount of sparkle. It’s a bit rough around the edges and dabbles a little too much in the typical tropes of their genre, but a very sweet and wholesome experience nonetheless.
NEPTUNIAN MAXIMALISM – Nāgabhūtaṃ
August 7 // I, Voidhanger Records
Ela Minus & Nick León – qué les pasó a mis amigos?
August 7 // Smugglers Way
MORAL BOMBING – chrysopoeia
August 7 // Independent
One of the finest German bands inside the skramz/hardcore/powerviolence realm is back with their second album, and they gather a critical amount of being-pissed-and-angry to really rattle you up. Unfortunately, those guys got most of their equipment stolen at the beginning of tour, so if you like what you hear, buy the album and go to one of their shows if you happen to live nearby.
Evil Island – Terraform The Afterlife
August 14 // Blowed Out
Racetraitor – Nobody Son of Nobody
August 14 // Independent
Racetraitor‘s last album, Creation and the Timeless Order of Things, hit me like a freight train back in 2023, so I was highly anticipating whatever those dudes from Chicago were cooking up next. Their new release is angry and nasty in all the right ways, and if you like anti-racist, generally highly political hardcore, which stems from 90’s metalcore (two of their early members ended up forming Fall Out Boy, which is nuts), this is for you.
Open Mike Eagle & Kenny Segal – DOOMED!
August 14 // BackwoodzStudioz
This is probably one of my favorite Open Mike Eagle projects so far. Collaborations with Kenny Segal often turn out to be gold, and DOOMED! is no exception. This has also fantastic features, a highlight being national treasure Hemlock Ernst (Future Islands‘ Sam Herring). A heartfelt and witty rap album.
Mass of the Fermenting Dregs – Iwaou
August 14 // Flake
The shoegaze/indie sound of Mass of the Fermenting Dregs is turning heads internationally for quite a while now, and this band made their best work to date yet with Iwaou. It’s amazing that those guys play ArcTanGent and stuff like that and more people get to listen to them. May their popularity grow, they deserve it.
L’Rain – fata morgana
August 14 // Mexican Summer
I Killed Your Dog is not only a devastating album title, but also a devastatingly good record. fata morgana is L’Rain‘s follow up to this monumental album, and it continues her incredibly artistic streak. This is so intense in the most tender way, and I hope this record ripples throughout the year and touches as many minds as possible.
As Living Arrows – Fragment I
August 14 // Independent
Their last album was great, and I’m just happy to get a couple more tracks from this band. This is not reinventing the wheel, or something, and also not something which will be with me in a couple months (I suppose), but for now, I enjoy the hell out of those songs, and will be watching As Living Arrows‘ future progress.
tall can – no toques las megarhyssa
August 14 // Independent
With every listen, I got more sucked in with this explosive and at times abrasive take on hip hop. This is without a doubt one of the more interesting rap albums I’ve heard this year – to be fair, it has a lot of jazz energy which is usually catnip for me – and see myself coming back to tall can‘s phenomenal album again and again.
Cleo Sol – Gentlewoman
August 20 // Forever Living Originals
Rely on Cleo Sol to bring you warmth and comfort with her music. When I pressed play on Gentlewoman, I knew exactly I was in the right place, and to abuse a horrible geezer saying, but this was just what the doctor ordered. So, I put out one of those cringey stank faces you get when something grooves really good, and enjoyed the run.
HISS – A Cheapened Crown
August 21 // Hex Records
A disgusting slap of noise rock and hardcore, so much fun and so much fucking energy. Chat Pile really breathed fresh air into this type of music, and now more and more bands are coming up, channeling this 90’s noise rock grit, and I’m here for that. HISS FUCKS.
Denzel Curry & Kenneth Blume – ii
August 21 // Loma Vista Recordings
Lusine – Melting Days
August 21 // Ghostly International
Julia Holter – Materia
August 21 // Domino
We should be fucking grateful to live during the same time as Julia Holter is active. I’ve been a huge fan of her work ever since Have You In My Wilderness (one of my favorite albums of all time!), and have been checking her releases ever since. Her catalog is nothing short of impressive, and I’m a bit jealous for everyone who discovers her with Materia and can go back to her fantastic material.
Kulk – Choosing To Die
August 28 // Church Road Records
Sly & The Family Drone – With Love
August 28 // Independent
This band is always tons of fun (and they have a badass name), and With Love is a very vibrant and spontaneous-sounding take on their sound. Darker and grittier jazz fusion for people who don’t necessarily like jazz.
Enneads – Enneads
August 28 // Independent
Three artists with fantastic chemistry, Bohren & der Club of Gore-esque doomjazz and a 17-string bass. What sounds like a concoction of a mad musical scientist (those exist, right?) is Enneads debut album, and it rips.
Dreamwell – Hymns For The Denial Of God
August 28 // Prosthetic Records
Siichaq – the righteous sword
August 28 // Independent
Hakushi Hasegawa – Honest Feeling Album
August 28 // Brainfeeder
Erykah Badu & The Alchemist – Before The World Blows
August 28 // Control Freaq/Young
Yeah, their use of generative AI on visuals surrounding the promo campaign of this album makes the enjoyment of this album, albeit being very awesome, a bit bitter. I’m open to call it bad judgment and hope they won’t do it again, but for now, I mostly just indulge in my naivety and like those tracks. Because they are great.
Alabama Shakes – I Must Be Dreaming
August 28 // Island Records
Some things are meant to return. After an amazing solo stint, Brittany Howard gathered the gang back together, and we really, finally, get a new Alabama Shakes album. Obviously, I Must Be Dreaming doesn’t have quite the punch or novelty of Sound & Color, but it is more psychedelic soul by this band, so I’m good.
Asher White – Love Aggregates
August 28 // Joyful Noise Recordings
Thanks for scrolling!
