To steal the opening line of Kevin Morby's new album Little Wide Open, which arrived in our racks to great adulation and popularity in May: "Welcome to the Badlands..." Albums of the Year So Far list!
As usual, as we arrive at the year's midway point, we take the opportunity to reminisce over the music that has been soundtracking Badlands' 2026 so far.
With a selection of shop favourites, staff picks, best sellers and breakout debuts, this is the place to find of all the hottest new sounds that emerged in our crates in Cheltenham from January until June!
Scroll on for the breakdown, and join us as we look ahead to our most anticipated releases on the horizon in the second half of the year!
Staff Favourites
The records on constant rotation for our team. Albums we have been loving, and we think you will too!
Mike
Lucas
Rob
EXEK - Prove The Mountains Move
HETHEN AXE - HETHEN AXE
Best Sellers
The big hitters. The albums that have been flying out in the shop and doing big numbers online!
Shop Favourites
The albums that have been making a splash with our local regulars!
In Case You Missed It...
Bangers from off the beaten track and stellar debuts. They may not have been on your radar, but they are now!
Best By Genre
Hidden gems broken down for you. Find something new to your liking...
Folk
Americana
Jazz
Electronic & Experimental
World
On The Horizon...
Casting our focus to the future and the albums we're most excited for in the second half of 2026!
Albums of the Year... So Far
All of the albums that have stayed glued to our turntables in the first six months of 2026!