What a year 2026 has been for music; we’ve been blessed with albums from Harry Styles, Bruno Mars, Olivia Rodrigo and so many more, making it feel like there is a new soundtrack to jump onto every few weeks. It has also been an exciting year for Indian music, with artists and producers shaping global releases. Six months into the year, here is a Platform edit of music we’ve thoroughly enjoyed so far.
Kiss All The Time. Disco, Occasionally
Coming out with an album after four years, Harry Styles’ highly anticipated Kiss All The Time. Disco, Occasionally consists of 12 songs, and follows the tone of Aperture, one of the singles, which was first teased as a prelude to the record. The album is a reminder to take a break, let loose and hit the dance floor.
The Romantic
The Romantic is Bruno Mars’ fourth solo studio album. It marks his first solo album in nearly a decade, following the 2016 release of 24K Magic. It is alight with his classic soul, funk, bossa-nova soundscape. With zero guest features, his voice takes frontstage.
Love & Machines
Midival Punditz, the pioneering duo of Gaurav Raina and Tapan Raj, marks twenty five years at the forefront of India’s electronic music scene with their album, Love & Machines. Known for their incredibly eclectic amalgam of traditional Indian sounds with innovative global influences, their latest release continues to be in the space of boundary-breaking experimentation and cultural synthesis.
The Mountain
This album draws inspiration from the band members of Gorillaz’ visit to India, and even features contributions from Asha Bhosle, Anoushka Shankar, Asha Puthli, Ajay Prasanna and others. It continues the band’s long tradition of genre-blurring collaborations and animated storytelling. It is instrumental heavy, leaning into tracks that stretch and sprawl.
you seem pretty sad for a girl so in love
Three-time Grammy winner Olivia Rodrigo’s third studio album is led by singles Drop Dead and The Cure. The 14-track album delivers the same emotional devastation and razor-sharp songwriting that made SOUR and GUTS such generational touchstones. It offers a more mature version of Olivia, who has really come into her own over the years.
Dust
His first studio length album in ten years, Karsh Kale spent months creating 28 paintings that served as the visual prompts for the album’s compositions, which he then developed on the piano before moving into the many soundscapes he is known for as well as many he delivers for the first time.
everyone for ten minutes
The fifth studio album from Jack Antonoff’s troupe, The Bleachers, sees the lead single you and forever feature his wife Margaret Qualley in its music video, and they put forth the kind of music that is about ‘wanting to hold joy and not understanding why you can’t’, in Jack’s words. The album radiates this sentiment through a focus on their deliberate songwriting, as they always have.
Don’t Be Dumb
A$AP Rocky’s long-awaited album marks his first full-length release in years. The record sees him returning to the sharp, confident hip-hop that has defined his career. Across the record he grapples with fame, family life, love, fatherhood, identity, ambition, and the pressures of remaining culturally relevant after years away from music.
The Great Divide
Folk and pop storytelling, which brought Noah Kahan his widespread recognition, forms the sonic landscape of this album. Songs like Porch Light introduce richer arrangements and piano-led passages. It is the perfect monsoon album that feels like it is meant to be listened to on long commutes.
MadStarBase’s Remixes
This DJ and producer collective from New Delhi consisting of Neal Sekhri and Anant Ahuja turn melodic nostalgia into viral floor shaking, bass-heavy, club-centric moments, and made a whole generation fall in love with Bollywood all over again. Having secured a landmark agreement with India’s oldest music label, Saregama, their tracks include renditions of Dum Maaro Dum, Saat Samundar, Piya Tu and Meri Umar.
Words Platform Desk
Date 24.6.2026