The Top Country Albums Set For Release In 2026

Looking ahead to 2026.

It’s safe to say that 2025 was another incredible year for country music. Despite country radio still being lightyears behind the current trends, nearly all corners of the genre had their chance to shine, whether online, at awards shows or on the charts.

Of course, Morgan Wallen continued his dominance, not only being named Billboard’s Top Artist of 2025, all-genre but also being crowned the highest-selling artist in country music history by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) earlier this week.

Even more meaningful, for longtime fans of the independent and alternative country scene, 2025 was one of the most stacked years to date. With Turnpike Troubadours, Colter Wall, Charley Crockett, Tyler Childers, Whiskey Myers, Colby Acuff and more releasing stellar, career-defining albums throughout the year, it’s safe to say that country fans of every shape and size received their fair share of projects to chew on.

This isn’t even mentioning Eric Church’s experimental gem of an album, Evangeline vs. The Machine, Kip Moore’s return to form on the sprawling, Solitary Tracks or even Lainey Wilson’s continued success and status as country music’s “it girl” en route to her CMA Entertainer of the Year win last month.

Ultimately, 2025 will be a year many country fans will look back on fondly. With that being said, as the year begins to draw to a close in the following weeks, it’s time to look ahead to 2026. And judging by the early slate of albums, it looks like we’re in for another great year in the genre.

As we stand today, Zach Bryan, Megan Moroney and Jason Aldean all have confirmed albums with release dates. However, we’re also set to receive new albums from the likes of The Red Clay Strays, Ella Langley, Ernest, Riley Green and more throughout the year.

Without further ado, here are some albums that should be on your radar in 2026.

Confirmed Albums

Zach Bryan – With Heaven On Top (January 9)

Despite being confirmed for a January 9th release all the way back in July, there isn’t much known about With Heaven On Top. In fact, the concept of the project itself has been quite convoluted. Back in February, Bryan would claim With Heaven On Top was an EP; however, that would get delayed and eventually turned into an album.

There’s currently no tracklist or even confirmed songs for the album. With that being said, anyone who’s paid attention to Bryan in any capacity knows that he has a laundry list of unreleased/teased songs to pull from here. Though unconfirmed, it’s speculated that tracks such as “Plastic Cigarette,” “In Dreams,” “Sundown Girls” and “Bad News,” which caught fire as his “anti-ICE” song, will make appearances on the album.

Kashus Culpepper – Act I (January 16)

Since breaking out last summer upon the release of his debut single, “After Me?,” Kashus Culpepper has been one of the hottest young stars in the alt. country scene. With a wide array of songs that blend country, soul and southern rock, the Alabama native has quickly risen up the ranks of many top artists in the alt. country scene rankings.

Back in October, Culpepper finally confirmed that his debut album, Act I, will be coming at the start of the year. Containing pre-released tracks such as “Southern Man” with Marcus King, “Broken Wing Bird” with Sierra Ferrell and the stunning “Believe,” it’s safe to say you won’t want to miss this one next month.

Tracklist:

1. “Intro”
2. “Southern Man” feat. Marcus King
3. “Alabama Beauty Queen”
4. “Woman”
5. “Break Like Me”
6. “Believe”
7. “Stay”
8. “Mean To Me”
9. “Broken Wing Bird” w/ Sierra Fierra
10. “Better Weather”
11. “That’s The Feeling”
12. “Man Of His Word”
13. “In Her Eyes”
14. “Is It True”
15. “After Me?”
16. “Out Of My Mind”
17. “House On A Hill”
18. “Cherry Rose”

Low Gap – Geneva (January 16)

Easily one of the youngest, most talented duos in the independent scene, Low Gap has made a name for themselves throughout the Appalachian region. With a blend of traditional country, Americana and Red Dirt, their sound is undeniably unique, and it shows on pre-released tracks such as “Say A Prayer,” “Churches” and “Beattyville,” featuring Julia DiGrazia.

As frontman Gus Johnson explains, Geneva is all about taking a critical look at their upbringing, the good, the bad and the in between, and trying to make sense of it as they step into adulthood in their early twenties.

“‘Geneva’ is like a third-person view. You’re looking at this person who is sort of rambling on different thoughts, and it’s somewhat complex, like real life is… It’s tying in concepts of ‘How did we end up here?,’ ‘Where am I at now?’ and ‘Where are we headed?’ It’s just my view of growing up in the very corner of Appalachia where it meets the rust belt.”

Given that I’ve already heard the album in its entirety (and you can learn more about the project here), I can safely say that it’s not only a stellar debut album but one of the most impressive I’ve heard in a while.

Tracklist:

1. “Appalachian Ohio”
2. “Cuyahoga River”
3. “Beattyville” (feat. Julia DiGrazia)
4. “This Young”
5. “Churches”
6. “One Mississippi”
7. “Say A Prayer”
8. “Monsters”
9. “Heroes”
10. “Someone to Call Home”
11. “It Ain’t For Me”
12. “Ranch Style House”

Eric Church – Evangeline vs. The Machine: Comes Alive (February 13)

Riding the highs of Evangeline vs. The Machine’s release in May, which not only cracked our Top 5 Albums of the Year here at Whiskey Riff but also Rolling Stone’s Top Country Albums list, Church is plotting a feature film in partnership with IMAX.

Both the concert film and the live album, which were recorded during his show at The Pinnacle in Nashville, will be released on February 13th. As for the live album, it will include the entirety of Evangeline vs. The Machine, as well as the Chief’s career staples such as “Springsteen,” “Give Me Back My Hometown,” Sinners Like Me” and more.

Tracklist:

1. Hands Of Time
2. Bleed On Paper
3. Johnny
4. Storm In Their Blood
5. Darkest Hour
6. Evangeline
7. Rocket’s White Lincoln
8. Clap Hands
9. Desperate Man
10. Give Me Back My Hometown
11. Homeboy
12. Sinners Like Me
13. Creepin’
14. Knives Of New Orleans
15. Smoke A Little Smoke
16. The Outsiders
17. Hell Of A View
18. Mistress Named Music
19. Springsteen

Tyler Halverson – In Defense of Drinking (February 20)

Since the release of Halverson‘s debut single, “Beer Garden Baby,” in 2021, the South Dakota native has solidified himself as a staple among Texas and Red Dirt country fans, releasing other stellar singles like “Mac Miller,” “Her,” and “Codigo GoGo.” In April of last year, Halverson released his first EP, Western Amerijuana (Pt. 1), which was quickly followed up in October with the release of his second EP, Western Amerijuana (Pt. 2).

It’s been a long time coming for fans to get a full-length LP from Halverson, and back in October, he announced that he’s been in the studio working on just that. On February 13, Halverson will gift fans his debut album, In Defense of Drinking. Recorded at Amber Sound in Hermitage, Tennessee, and produced by Halverson, Ryan Youmans, and Gary Stanton (of Muscadine Bloodline), fans can expect this 11-song record to build off the sound established on his Western Amerijuana EPs.

Tracklist:

1. More Hearts Than Horses
2. Beer Garden ft. Parker McCollum
3. Second High
4. Ft. Worth Losing
5. Smoke You Out
6. In Defense of Drinking
7. Like The Rodeo
8. Cowboy Babies
9. Old Men Younger Women
10. The Dreamer
11. Son Brother Believer

Megan Moroney – Cloud 9 (February 20)

Moroney announced her third studio album Cloud 9, which will be out everywhere on February 20th, 2026. Discussing the album, she says she can’t wait to start a new chapter in her music career, and adds that these songs were written by the “strongest, most confident version” of her:

“I am so excited for my fans and I to dive into this new world of Cloud 9 together. Similar to the first two albums, it’s all written about honest, personal experiences, but these songs were written by the strongest, most confident version of myself I’ve ever been.

My feet feel firmly planted in my artistry and it was fun to play around sonically, while still sticking to my roots of what my fans and I love. Cloud 9 is a state of mind, and I have no doubt this will be the best chapter yet.”

Surprisingly, Moroney’s been pretty secretive regarding the actual construction of the album itself. Though it’s been confirmed that it will contain 15 tracks, including her #1 hit, “6 Months Later,” and “Beautiful Things,” the “Tennessee Orange” singer has kept the rest of the tracklist hidden. It should be noted that it’s heavily rumored that pop superstar Ed Sheeran is set to appear on Cloud 9.

William Clark Green – Watterson Hall (March 6)

Last month, William Clark Green announced his seventh album, Watterson Hall, will be out everywhere on March 6th. The Texas legend would reveal it along with the release of the title track, which was written for his wife.

“‘Watterson Hall (Me & You)’ is a love song I wrote for my wife after a night of dancing at her hometown dancehall. It’s the first love song I’ve ever written for her that I felt was good enough to share.

The song shows a more personal side of my writing – it came together quickly but not without effort, and it reflects the changes in my life with marriage and family. At its heart, it’s about love, experience, and writing something real.”

Watterson Hall was made in Nashville with producer Logan Wall, and Green’s 2024 track “Whole Lotta Lubbock,” as well as songs like “Where the Wild Things Are,” “Stubborn and Remains” and “Dear Life” will also be on the 14-track project.

Tracklist:

1. “Stubborn and Remains”
2. “Watterson Hall (Me & You”
3. “Whole Lotta Lubbock”
4. “Where The Wild Things Are”
5. “Dear Life”
6. “Something You Would Die For”
7. “Good Time”
8. “I Am The Kite”
9. “Cowtown”
10. “Hawks Don’t Fly With Chickens”
11. “Fight To Love Another Day”
12. “Let You Go”
13. “Man On The Moon”
14. “Drinkin’ and Drivin'”

Jason Aldean – Songs About Us  (April 24)

After a relatively disappointing decade so far, which includes the likes of the Macon, Georgia double album in 2021 and 2022, Jason Aldean is aiming to recapture the magic present in the early days of his music with the release of Songs About Us on April 24th.

Discussing the album, Aldean put heavy emphasis on the universal nature of the album. Noting how much of an impact his music has had on a countless number of fans over the years, he’d reveal that he set out to create an album that fans could see themselves in.

“It means the world when one of my songs helps someone through a hard time—or celebrates their best moments. This album is about all of that—the highs, the lows, and everything in between. Every track started with a real story or feeling, and together we turned those experiences into music. In the end, I realized this album is about all of us. These are songs about us.”

Containing his recent #1 hit, “How Far Does A Goodbye Go,” as well as pre-released tracks, “Help You Remember,” “Hard To Love You” and “Lovin’ On Me,” Songs About Us will contain a hefty 20 tracks, which marks the longest album from Aldean to date.

Tracklist:

1. Anytime Soon
2. Drinking About You
3. Don’t Tell On Me
4. How Far Does A Goodbye Go
5. Songs About Us feat. Luke Bryan
6. Good Thing Going
7. She’s Why
8. Backroads Of My Memory
9. Dust on the Bottle feat. David Lee Murphy
10. The High Road
11. Easier Gone feat. Brittany Aldean
12. Help You Remember
13. Country Into Rock ‘n’ Roll
14. What’s A Little Heartache
15. One Last Look
16. Fight A Fire
17. Hard To Love You
18. Little Hometown Left
19. Her Favorite Color
20. Lovin’ Me Too Long

To Be Announced

Luke Combs

Over the past four months, Luke Combs has clearly been gearing up for one of the biggest album releases of his career so far. In case you missed it, Combs kicked everything off back in July with the release of “Back In The Saddle,” which signaled a return to form for the North Carolina native, bringing back his classic sound that many fans craved after a bit of a departure from it on his 2024 project, Fathers & Sons.

August rolled around, and Combs then teased the concept of a “crowdsourced” album, posting 14 never-before-heard songs on his “secret” Instagram account, @lcombs77, which you can listen to here.

Since then, the North Carolina native has given fans an official taste of what’s to come on the upcoming record through the release of his three-song EP simply titled, The Prequel, containing previously-teased tracks such as the highly-anticipated “My Kinda Saturday Night,” which Combs would later name his massive 2026 international stadium tour after, along with “15 Minutes,” ‘Days Like These” and his newest single, “Giving Her Away.”

It’s still unclear when Combs will be releasing his next album, but there’s certainly no doubt that it will be coming at some point in 2026, more than likely before his aforementioned international tour.

Ernest

Just last week, Ernest dropped the bomb on The Bobby Bones Show that his new album is completely finished and is set to be released “sometime like spring break,” which all but confirms it’s coming at some point in March or early April at the latest.

As for what to expect from the album, which is still untitled, Ernest would reveal it will have some beachy/island vibes mixed with some of his patented southern flair. He’d go as far as to call it Alabama meeting Jimmy Buffett.

“There’s a little island inspiration in this next album for sure. And just like a little southern, too. It’s like Alabama and Jimmy Buffett had a baby.” 

The Red Clay Strays

Famously, none other than Joe Rogan accidentally leaked the fact that reigning CMA Vocal Group of the Year, The Red Clay Strays, are planning on releasing their third studio album in June.

In case you missed it, during the podcast, Rogan would say:

“The final product is amazing, and the new album is really f***ing good. It’s coming out in June of next year? Is that when it’s supposed to come out? The press thing I got said June of next year, I was like, ‘This should come out now.’”

And in the room, it certainly seemed like there was a “Was Joe supposed to say that?” kind of vibe. The Red Clay Strays went along with it, and Brandon Coleman was the first to respond to Rogan’s question:

“We’re shooting for summer of next year. We don’t really know yet.”

An official release date has yet to be announced. At this point, the only thing confirmed, other than a summer timeframe, is the fact that their current single, “People Hatin'” will appear on the album.

Sam Barber

Though Barber wouldn’t reveal any details surrounding the name of his sophomore project, he would confirm via Instagram back in Ocotber than an album is coming “early in the new year.” Since then, he’s teased multiple different songs including “Yellow Diamonds,” “Hopeless Son,” “Still Need More” and more. Given that he’s posted a pethora of songs on his alternate website, sambarberfiles.com, it’s safe to assume Barber is going to return with another 20+ track album in 2026.

Ella Langley

It’s safe to say that 2025 was nothing short of a fever dream for Ella Langley. Riding the highs of the continued success of “you look like you love me,” she snagged three awards at the ACMs in May and an additional three CMA Awards last month. With her current single, “Choosin’ Texas” surging nearly everywhere, recently going #1 on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart, Langley will more than likely be including it in her album slated for some time next year.

In an interview earlier this year, Katie & Company, Ella said she is taking her time and wants to make sure Hungover has all the time it deserves to be loved before the next project. It sounds like she knows exactly what she wants to put out, and she’s taking the time to really craft it and make sure it’s perfect:

“I think there might be a little bit of both. I worked so hard on that record, and my team worked so hard on that record and songs. There’s so many special songs on that one. My next record’s not going to be out until 2026, so I really feel like people move on from a record so fast. They’re like, here’s a whole record of 20-something songs, and then we’re gonna give you one single off of it and then move on to the next record.”

Riley Green

Riley Green has had a very successful year in 2025, which included winning multiple big awards for his duet with Ella Langley “You Look Like You Love Me,” as well as selling out shows all over the country on his Damn Country Music tour.

He didn’t put out a ton of new music, aside from the deluxe edition of his 2024 album Don’t Mind If I Do, in addition to his Midtown Sessions EP, but fans didn’t get a full album, though it sounds like that is coming soon.

During an appearance on the Like A Farmer podcast this week, Riley confirmed that new music is on the way “early” next year, and he’s been in the studio working on it already. He kept it pretty short and sweet, but I think fans will be excited to hear that they won’t have to wait much longer for some new tunes:

“In the studio now, we’re gonna put some new music out early in the year. Excited about that.”

Though it’s unclear whether the “Worst Way” singer meant an album or an EP, it’s pretty safe to assume that Green will be releasing a pretty substantial project in 2026.The post The Top Country Albums Set For Release In 2026 first appeared on Whiskey Riff.