The Best Releases of March 2026
March saw Lily Allen take her long-awaited album ‘West End Girl’ on the road, Harry Styles return with his new album, and RAYE knock everyone else out of the park with hers.
March has been a month. Not only did we see Harry Styles dust off his disco pants and make a swift return with a new electronic edge, but a star was reborn when Naomi Scott traded in acting for a go at being a popstar on debut album F.I.G. It’s been fifteen years since she was tearing it up as Mo in Disney’s Lemonade Mouth and seven since her starring role as Jasmine in the live action Aladdin.
Elsewhere, RAYE made a bid for best album of the year, Robyn returned with the freeing album Sexistential, and artists like Arctic Monkeys, Cameron Winter, Olivia Rodrigo and Damon Albarn came together to create HELP (2) in aid of War Child.
Singles:
1. Jalen Ngonda — Doctrine of Love
The American welcomes a new era with the first single from his second album of the same name, and leaves us in anticipation for what’s to come.
Doctrine of Love is out June 5th via Daptone Records. Pre-order the album here.
2. beabadoobee ft. The Marías — All I Did Was Dream of You
After what felt like radio silence after multiple festival appearances last year, including supporting Sabrina Carpenter at her biggest UK show to date for BST Hyde Park, beabadoobee has returned with a new hairstyle and new ambition. Combining her ethereal voice with María Zardoya’s might just be genius.
3. Martin Luke Brown — back of my mind
back of my mind comes as his first new music since 2025’s second album, man oh man !, and leaves us excited to hear more.
4. Fitzroy Holt — Last Bastard
Sometimes, when you’re not looking, that’s when you discover a real gem. And sometimes a real gem lands in your inbox. This is the latter, and lends itself to past sounds to deliver something exciting and fresh.
His debut album, Around The Wrekin, is out now via 25 Hour Convenience Store.
5. Claire Martine — Better safe than sorry
Released right at the end of March, Claire’s latest single slots right in with contemporaries like the aforementioned beabadoobee, Clairo and Men I Trust, and fills a huge indie-pop hole we didn’t know we were missing.
EPs:
1. Dutch Interior — It’s Glass
I’ve been hooked on the Canadian band ever since I heard 2025’s Moneyball, an album so perfect it’s hard to see how they could improve. Rest assured, they really can only get better. I’ve never meant ‘watch this space’ quite so much this time around.
Rating: ★★★★½
Standout track: Play the Song
2. The New Cut — Sleepers, Mourners
The Bristol post-punk band hold nothing back by dropping their first offering of the year and are fresh from their UK headline tour, which saw them hit up Leeds, Manchester, London, Bristol and the like.
Rating: ★★★★☆
Standout track: London, Out There
3. Florence Road — Spring Forward
Admittedly, I’ve never been able to board the Florence Road train. I saw them at All Points East, the day Olivia Rodrigo headlined last year, and wasn’t sold. Now, with their first EP since 2025’s Fall Back, I might have to take the late train.
Rating: ★★★★☆
Standout track: Rabbits Can Swim
4. midori jaeger — (Un)planted
Originally born in Japan but relocating to the UK at the age of 5, the musician replants herself on her latest EP, and it’s one not to miss.
Rating: ★★★½☆
Standout track: exterior
5. AtticOmatic — Between Two
The Brighton quintet follow up their debut EP with a second offering, and prepare to head on the road at festivals like Dot to Dot and Left of the Dial.
Rating: ★★★★☆
Standout track: Lewin
Albums:
1. ELIZA — The Darkening Green
Once known as Eliza Doolittle, who shot to fame with 2010’s hit Pack Up, the singer has now reinvented herself as ELIZA and has gone down a soulful route that feels like it’s been her true calling this entire time.
Rating: ★★★★★
Standout track: For the Hell of It
2. Charlie’s Hand Movements — Heavy Days
With only 18 monthly Spotify listeners, it’s safe to say that this might be our best-kept secret — except it’s not a secret anymore, and you’d be a fool not to put your earphones in and immerse yourself in Charlie’s Hand Movements world and see what you’ve been missing.
Rating: ★★★★☆
Standout track: Heavy Days
3. Sophie May — Stars and Teeth
I hardly find the time to review albums now, but, sometimes, there’s this insatiable urge you can’t ignore, and that’s very much anything Sophie has put out since her debut single With The Band.
Rating: ★★★★★
Standout track: Greek Statue
Read the full album review here.
4. Cat Clyde — Mud Blood Bone
The Canadian’s fourth album is a stunning alt-folk offering, and is her first via Concord Records. With whispers of Big Thief or Angel Olsen, this album is one not to miss.
Rating: ★★★★½
Standout track: Hold My Hand
5. RAYE — THIS MUSIC MAY CONTAIN HOPE
Admittedly, I’ve only ever been wise to RAYE’s biggest hits and past singles. I’d never really given My 21st Century Blues more than a once-over. It’s hard to believe this is only RAYE’s second album, but when you think about her struggles to release her own music, paired with her perfectionism, it seems entirely plausible after all. RAYE takes the crown for ‘go big or go home’, getting Hans Zimmer of all people involved, and Al Green, as well as bringing in her sisters Amma and Absolutely on album track Joy..
Rating: ★★★★★
Standout track: I Know You’re Hurting.
