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Anticipated Nashville albums in 2026

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Book not brooke photo credit: Elizabeth Marsh
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What will the Nashville music scene look like in 2026?

We have a solid snapshot of some upcoming local releases — plus early inklings about records that may be brewing. Here are some highlights as we look ahead to the new year. 

Langhorne Slim — “The Dreamin’ Kind” — Jan. 16

Perennial East Nashville folk rock presence Langhorne Slim is going electric. On his album, “The Dreamin’ Kind,” out on Jan. 16, he’s teamed up with Greta Van Fleet. The explosive new-classic rockers are producers and backing band. The folk and rock combined makes for a party.

Finger Foods — “Detroit” — Jan. 17

Nashville’s Finger Foods will release their debut album, “Detroit,” on Jan. 17. Finger Foods is in a genre some have described as “boot-gaze.” They often use the guitar heavy fuzz and the weight of shoegaze and brighten it up with harmonica and sometimes banjo, which are traditionally used in Americana. That middle balance is perfect for the Nashville indie scene.

book NOT brooke — “Dancer First” — March 6

book NOT brooke is the kind of musician who uses a bald eagle screech as percussion. The progressive pop project comes from Brooke Vespoli. A cellist by trade, book not brooke was recently backed by Annie DiRusso for an NPR Tiny Desk concert. The debut album will drop in March and is already shaping up to be a fresh sound for Nashville.

Mitski 

Looking further afield into albums-we-think-will-be-released-this-year, the big tease is Mitski. She debuted her last album at The Belcourt. That album had a surprise viral hit and has almost 2 billion plays on Spotify. In the concert documentary she made for that album she hinted that a new one was coming in 2026.

January  

Mon Rovîa (Chattanooga) — Bloodline — Jan. 9

The Protomen — Act III: This City Made Us — Jan. 9

Tyler Ramsey & Carl Broemel — Celestun — Jan. 15

Langhorne Slim — The Dreamin’ Kind — Jan. 16

Finger Foods — Detroit — Jan. 17

Lucinda Williams — World’s Gone Wrong — Jan. 23

February

Jeremy Ivey — Its Shape Will Reveal Itself — Feb. 13

March 

Morgxn — Heartland — March 5

book NOT brooke — Dancer First — March 6

2026 Watchlist

There are always rumblings about new releases. Industry sources suggest these artists could be productive this year.

Mitski 

Brennan Wedl 

Cage the Elephant

Eric Slick

Huron John

Kings of Leon

Maggie Miles

Michigander

Veaux 

Jack White

Justin Barney, Music and Culture Reporter

Hi, I’m Justin. I was born in Milwaukee, WI. I started as an intern at 88Nine Radio Milwaukee and worked my way up to Music Director. There I started a segment called “From the Music Desk” where I interviewed over 500 artists including Thom York, Lizzo, Steve Martin, and Phoebe Bridgers. At 88nine I also got to speak passionately about the music I love on the radio, which is a true gift and I still get to do every day. There I also made a podcast called “Backspin: The Search for Milwaukee’s First Hip-Hop Song” which I enjoyed doing more than anything else I’ve ever done and was acclaimed in The New York Times. Highlight of my life. I love music, I love people and I love a good yarn. At the end of the day my goal is to tell stories that are as good as the ones my dad tells me. I’ll tell em on the radio, in print, or next to you at the corner bar.

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