The best albums of 2026 (so far)

On a special mid-year episode of New Music Friday, host Stephen Thompson and a lineup of NPR Music writers and critics reflect on their favorite albums of the year so far. Albums featured in this episode: (01:14) Album No. 1 - Noah Kahan, 'The Great Divide' (07:16) Album No. 2 - underscores, 'U' (14:00) Album No. 3 - Cécile McLorin Salvant, 'With Every Breath I Take' (20:13) Album No. 4 -…