Every year around this time, we round up what we feel have been the best alternative, indie, and underground idol EP, singles, MV, and albums of the year so far. It’s usually an easy and enjoyable job, but something was very different this year.
2026 has been an utterly relentless avalanche of incredible releases that’s placed us in a state of perpetual sensory overload. The sheer volume of top-tier music dropped over the last six months has turned what used to be a pleasant afternoon’s task of casually identifying what’s “best” into a grueling weeks-long comparative analysis. Team Homicidols eventually landed on the below 30-plus items, but the number could have easily been higher. I’m certainly feeling guilty about excluding a number of works and idol units, but we had to draw the line somewhere or this post would never get finished.
This exercise has certainly made one thing crystal clear: the alternative and chika idol scenes are currently operating at a creative high-water mark.
A few caveats as always:
- The lists aren’t in any particular or consistent order except for singles which are by alpha.
- You may run into a few releases that came out in December 2025 and this is because the consideration for Homicidols “Best for the Year” awards runs from December through November for REASONS.
- While the opinions of Team Homicidols are profoundly insightful, fiercely intelligent, and backed by thousands of hours of listening and first-hand live idol experience, there is also a very distinct possibility that they are also wildly and spectacularly incorrect.
Let us know everything that we got wrong and what your favorites of 2026 (so far) happen to be over on the Homicidols Discord Server.
Now, put on your finest headphones. The first half of 2026 has been magnificent, and it’s about to get loud.
Best EPs of the Year (so far)
ponderosa may bloom, Once More, With Feeling
While all the members of Team Homicidols are united in our love and appreciation for alternative, underground and indie idol, our individual unit biases run the entire gambit from AQBI Rec to the fragmented remains of WACK. Rarely do the sub-genre loyalties of Team coalesce in consensus around any single idol, group, or release, so when it happens, it’s a notable event.
In February, shortly after unveiling their new, four-member lineup, ponderosa may bloom released, Once More, With Feeling, and achieved the rare feat of uniting Team Homicidols in reverence. The new system’s debut EP is a masterclass in balance: shimmering, chorus drenched guitars anchored by sparkling, melodic vocal chemistry. This is a group that wears it’s indie rock lineage on its sleeve, building sonic bridges between the hazy, hyper-melodic dream pop of the past and an entirely new aural landscape. The Team Homicidols verdict is unanimous: it’s flawless.
NARUKAMI, Hyakki Lightning
Culture core unit NARUKAMI has emerged over the past year as the most consistently excellent post-hardcore unit in the genre. In addition to this December EP, they have released three singles over the past few months that could each land in the running for Best of the Year. I resisted the urge to make this post all about NARUKAMI, but they deserve to have an entry in every category.
Pupa!!, tngkr
Emo electronica unit pupa!! has been serving up some of the most creative and eclectic chillwave and electro indie-pop for almost ten years now. In their latest EP, they expand their sound to incorporate shoegaze guitars on tracks like, “Give a Fuzz” adding an additional dimension and unexpected edge to their already rich, melodic sound.
cinder-ella, Life
Longtime favorites cinder-ella have kicked it into a new gear musically this year with the goth rock unit’s latest EP being, arguably, their best yet. While they have run into some challenges with their lineup since its release, they are currently auditioning for new members and, hopefully, have a lot more Life in them.
Isiliel, Todeshochzeit
The latest from Isiliel may force us to change how we define EPs for Best of the Year consideration. We have, up until now, considered releases with one-to-three songs a “Single,” but it just seems unfair to have one- or two-track entries compete with three songs of the strength delivered by Todeshochzeit.
As a whole, it is an extraordinary offering, showcasing three entirely different and compelling sides of Isiliel, an idol who is becoming an increasingly complex artist. The tone shifts between the songs are effortless as if telling a three-part story and, as always, the care applied to the music production shines through. You can practically feel the love laid into each track. Todeshochzeit is, at its core, a singular work of art.
Best MVs of the Year (so far)
zerobansen to yoakemae, “Movies Where People Die”
We are, quite possibly, in the golden age of art idols with any number of units pushing creativity in music, visual storytelling, and performance to the next level. Zerobansen to yoakemae rank at the forefront of this class of artists, and their MV for “Movies Where People Die” is an exemplar of just what they, and the sub-genre, are truly capable of.
YOLOZ, “A Waterfall”
YOLOZ deliver a thunderous MV for “Waterfall,” one of the year’s most resounding songs featuring the, hands down, best chorus of the year.
XINXIN, “Sayonara, LIAR”
In their sophomore year, power rock unit XINXIN have been catching our attention with several of their new releases including this MV for their scorching ode to all of our exes.
NEO JAPONISM, “IMPACT”
It’s been a year since NEO JAPONISM unveiled their current, high powered system and they continue to impress. In the live MV for “IMPACT” they wield every last weapon in their considerable arsenal, giving us an impressive demonstration of the feats they are truly capable of.
AZ-ON, “Good or Bad”
The gamer girls of AZ-ON navigate the matrix and save the world (or, at least, each other) in this engrossing action-adventure MV.
YAMIKUMO, “Zouo”
“Ultra-aggressive” unit YAMIKUMO are here to save us with a scream-along in this hypnotically cathartic MV about the things we hate.
ki.o.ku, “Video Days”
After all of the high-powered bravado of this category, we feel it’s appropriate to end on this quiet moment of artful contemplation courtesy of rookie unit ki.o.ku.
Best Albums of the Year (so far)
USHIMITSU, USHIMITSU-I
The debut album from trauma techno punks USHIMITSU is the only other entry on this list that received universal acclaim from Team Homicidols. Released on April 1, it is no joke, but still plays best when not taken entirely seriously. The always-infectious tracks alternate between dark and playful, thrash-able and dance-able. Fun has never been such serious business.
AVACLUB, Half
Urban legend synthwave unit AVACLUB have proven themselves to be as bewilderingly eclectic as they are effortlessly addictive. The full evidence is presented in their debut album, Half, where they bounce between salsa, funk, euro beat and a dozen other genre influences yet never feel disjointed. Instead, they manage to ground every single genre-hop in massive, undeniable hooks and infectious vocals.
kinopo., Brain Electric
The new kinopo. album, Brain Electric, is a testament to their growth into the premier pop punk unit in indie idol. While they certainly lean heavier into the pop than the punk, they possess enough snarky edge to keep things interesting and a lyrical bite that keeps the whole project grounded. The vocal arrangements are airtight, the energy is relentless, and the songwriting is so sharp it borders on dangerous.
kinopo. have been gaining momentum the last couple of years, building into what I hope becomes an inevitability. Whenever I’m asked what idol unit could possibly be the next to break out like ATARASHII GAKKO!, I point my finger squarely at kinopo.
MAD JAMIE, HYPER NATURAL
With her second album, HYPER NATURAL, MAD JAMIE secures her crown as the undisputed Queen of Kawaii Punk. The album weaponizes contrasts perfectly, blending Akubi’s signature smoky-yet-sugary aesthetic with raw, uncompromising, “Fxxk you,” punk. The end result is defiant, magnetic, emotional, and completely unbothered by any constraint.
Long Live the Queen!!
Odoro, ★★★★★★
Those who preach the gospel of Odoro have been waiting a long time for an album like, ★★★★★★. All of the group’s deep potential came together and they achieved that rare feat of creating a full album without a single skip-able track. It also contains what is, quite possibly, the best song of the year in “sousou,” at least as far as my brain is concerned. I have woken up more mornings humming that song in my head these past few months than any other. While the unit has faced some struggles with their line up lately, they can proudly point to this album as their significant achievement for 2026.
REBEL REBEL, THIS IS THE ONE
This is the One that landed REBEL REBEL on a Homicidols “Best of” list. The evolution of Osaka’s premier “Electronica Citypop” idols has seen the unit flirt with everything from sleek funk to aggressive hip-hop beats and, in this album, it all comes together. They manage a impressive balancing act, weaving urban, late-night city pop directly into edgy, pulsing EDM. The resulting tunes are dangerously infectious, especially “Fire Wheel” which has become an indispensable element of our soundtrack for 2026.
Best Singles of the Year (so far)
anew, “koi”
“koi” from anew (short for “art idols new world”) is a six-plus minute love song delivered through a powerfully hypnotic combination of spoken word, vocal harmonies, meandering and pointed guitars, and increasing urgent percussion. It is another ambitious example from the art idol crowd demonstrating just what the genre is capable of.
CHEMICAL X, “When I was crying under a cloudy sky”
The CHEMICAL X reboot not only introduced us to their new system but to “When I was crying under a cloudy sky,” which may be the veteran unit’s best ever song.
chérie ifẹ, “Kusari kitta sekai”
Building off of her nomination for Best Overseas Idol in 2025, chérie ifẹ has stepped up in 2026, releasing her EP, Absurdism, launching a US tour, and dropping her best song yet in “Kusari kitta sekai” (translation: “A completely rotten world”).
DIAVEL, “Suimu”
A year into their new system, DIAVEL are distinguishing themselves from the sea of dark, gothic units, primarily on the strength of their music. One of their best examples is “Suimu,” a melancholy and desperate song with eerie guitar riffs and delicate vocals that build into a frenzied and biting climax.
Gekkan PAM, “Sunday’s Moon is Blue”
Few units release as consistently excellent tunes as indie electronic and jangle pop duo Gekkan PAM. Any of their 2026 releases could be on this list, but you’ll want to hit “repeat” on “Sunday’s Moon is Blue” more than any other.
i_andscape., “usotsuki”
Shoegaze unit i_andscape. continue their slow burn as the best kept secret in chika idol. At some point, they’re just gonna (softly) explode, so get in early.
Jiemei, “soleil”
It’s hard to go wrong with any Jiemei tune, but their best new one this year is “soleil,” released just before their new, powered-up system was unveiled in April. We actually recommend getting familiar with their entire catalog so you’ll be ready for their US debut tour coming up in August.
KAQRIYOTERROR, “Call Sign”
The current system has been channeling the original chaotic and subversive spirit of KAQRIYOTERROR so faithfully, it’s fabulous to finally get an original single from the trio.
Maison de Queen, “scenario”
Maison de Queen tell a powerful story with their sweeping single, “scenario.” The ambitious song effortlessly blends multiple genres while presenting showcases for each member to show off their considerable vocal strength.
My Criminal Lovers’, “DETONATE”
Gothic post-hardcore unit My Criminal Lovers’ have emerged over the past year as one the standout loud idols on our radar, and their latest single, “DETONATE,” just serves to elevate our interest. They are a definite favorite among those who love idols who scream, shout, and growl.
MELON BATAKE A GO GO, “ADOLIAN-DEAD IDOLS DON’T DIE”
A new song from MELON BATAKE A GO GO is pretty rare, so a double-sided single is definitely cause to celebrate, especially when it comes with a stellar B-Side like, “LONG MY WAY.”
RETRORAIN, “In a city where pain has been forgotten”
One of the most seriously underrated units in chika idol, RETRORAIN continues to deliver some of the most consistently excellent guitar-driven postpunk in the genre.
RAY, “Sagittarius”
In this day and age, there would be no conceivable way for us to compile a”Best of” list that does not include at least one entry by the pinnacle of chika idol achievement, RAY. We are lucky to be living in the era of RAY. Savor these times and the unit’s best new single, “sagittarius.”
Village in Maier, “Senko Cinderella”
Village in Maier has been flying the punk idol flag for years now, even recently taking their act to Germany. Lately, they’ve given us a pair of excellent new tunes on their “Senko Cinderella” single, especially the B-Side, “Prism.”
YURAPICO, “Ai no manimani”
Last but certainly not least is the single YURAPICO released on the date of her 2026 birthday show, the infectious profession of love, identity, and raw gratitude, “Ai no manimani.” YURAPICO is a force of nature, and this song embodies her blood-sweat-and-smiles spirit. It’s a deeply human song of pop punk optimism and creative survival.
Let us know your favorites of 2026 (so far) over on the Homicidols Discord Server.
