We’re somehow already halfway through 2026, and it’s been an incredible year for music.

Between high-profile releases from Olivia Rodrigo and Gracie Abrams to rising artists like Presley Regier and Naomi Scott, my playlist has been thriving.

As someone who spends a lot of time interviewing musicians and listening to new music, I’m always searching for songs that stop me in my tracks. The 20 songs below are the ones I’ve found myself returning to over and over, whether it’s a lyric that makes me emotional, a haunting melody that continuously runs through my head, or a killer guitar riff that pulls me in.

So, in no particular order, here are the 20 songs that defined my year (so far).