Welcome to New Music Friday! Sept. 25, 2026 brings us a massive wave of new releases spanning every corner of the musical spectrum. Whether you’re in the mood for indie introspection, heavy riffs, or smooth soul, this week has something special waiting for you.
Blondshell returns with “Violins,” a sophomore effort that promises to build on the raw emotional intensity that made her debut so captivating. Joy Oladokun explores the weight of optimism on “Hope Is a Heavy Thing,” delivering her signature blend of folk-rock wisdom and vulnerable storytelling. Julia Jacklin’s “The Gem” finds the Australian singer-songwriter at her most refined, crafting intimate observations with crystalline clarity. Leon Bridges brings warmth and groove to “Happiness Anytime,” continuing his evolution as one of modern soul’s most essential voices. Protomartyr’s “Hotel Usona” sees the Detroit post-punk outfit delivering another collection of sharp, literate rock that cuts straight to the bone.
As always, the entire list of new albums released today, Friday, Sept. 25, 2026 is below in no particular order. My most anticipated albums are in bold.
Let me know what you’re listening to in the comments below and on social media @highnoteblog.
Please support The High Note and Buy Me A Coffee.
New Album Releases – Friday, September 25, 2026
Adult DVD – “Adult DVD”
AJJ – “Dirty Old Power”
Ax and the Hatchetmen – “Stick & Poke”
Azure Ryder – “Even Flowers Can Bruise”
Benny Sings – “22 Durnham Dew”
Blawan – “Gi Mi Keys Back / Auto Fake”
Blondshell – “Violins”
Bullion – “Nearly”
Can – “Live in Arles 1975”
Cara Delevingne – “Not Normal”
Claire Rousay and Martyna Basta – “Hotel Room”
Cloven Hoof – “Never a Prophet in Your Own Land”
Coldrain – “Optimize = Optdemise”
Crown Magnetar – “The Hollowing of Godflesh”
Dylan Gossett – “Ramblin'”
Europe – “Come This Madness”
Gilla Band – “Pugnello”
Godflesh – “Decay”
Hermanos Gutiérrez – “Los Ojos del Cóndor”
Ian Noe – “Canyon Falls Trailer Band”
Jae Stephens – “Audacity”
Joy Oladokun – “Hope Is a Heavy Thing”
Julia Jacklin – “The Gem”
Kenny Chesney – “Silver Sands Marina”
Lacrimas Profundere – “Lay Me Down O Silent Fear”
Leon Bridges – “Happiness Anytime”
Lizz Wright and Kenny Banks Sr. – “Nearness”
M83 – “I Wrote You a Letter”
Mary Gauthier – “Reckoning”
Metalite – “Discovery”
Ms. Rachel – “I’m So Happy”
Nessa Barrett – “Tough Love”
Nothing but Thieves – “Stray Dogs”
Oren Ambarchi – “Cooked”
Pain of Truth – “Pain of Truth”
Paul Laine – “The Long Road Back”
Peter Hammill – “Tears in Time”
Protomartyr – “Hotel Usona”
Soft Cell – “Danceteria”
Space Afrika – “Quiet Storm”
Starcleaner Reunion – “Umbrella”
Stornoway – “Beyonder”
Stryper – “Throne of Thorns”
The Ocean – “Solaris”
The Wolfgang Press – “Asylum Variations”
The Yummy Fur – “Everybody Talks About the Weather”
Tinashe – “Popstar”
Tom Morello – “Everyone Gets Everything They Want”
Uche Yara – “Bodyscanner”
Wade Bowen – “The Version of Me You Get”
Warren Zeiders – “No Brakes”
Weakened Friends – “Live from Hell”
Wheeler Walker, Jr. – “Pullin’ Out”
