Searching for new music to kick off the year? 2026 is already shaping up to bring plenty of new Finnish releases. This list highlights nearly 30 albums from the first half of the year across pop, rock, indie, electronic, metal, jazz, and folk. Alongside album descriptions and video embeds, you’ll find a playlist featuring selected tracks and advance singles.

Is the list missing an important album? Let us know, and we’ll add it!

January

Rabbit Hole: Rabbit Hole (Out January 7th on Eclipse Music)

Pauli Lyytinen Rabbit Hole is an electro-acoustic art music trio rooted in jazz but driven by bold experimentation. The group brings together three adventurous improvisers: Finnish saxophonist Pauli Lyytinen, Norwegian pianist Andreas Løwe, and Swiss drummer Julian Sartorius. Their music invites listeners into a layered sound world where detailed compositions merge with vivid timbres, intricate rhythmic structures, and free-flowing, imaginative improvisation.

Listen to Rabbit Hole on Apple Music or Spotify.

Jussi Lampela Ensemble: Common Ground (Out January 16th on Eclipse Music)

Jussi Lampela is a composer and arranger working across film, television, and the concert hall. His ensemble album Common Ground blends the free spirit of jazz, orchestral depth, and experimental electronics. Built on minimalist, slowly shifting forms and hypnotic repetition, it reflects his jazz roots, work in Finland’s orchestral scene, and influences from Berlin. Key collaborators include Jukka Eskola, Teppo Mäkynen, and Ilkka Lehtonen, whose strings add classical color alongside electronics.

Listen to Common Ground on Apple Music or Spotify.

Maria Kalaniemi & Pekko Käppi: Tåreportens Pärla (Out January 9th on Åkerö Records)

Accordionist Maria Kalaniemi and jouhikko player Pekko Käppi have created a distinctive work inspired by a poem from the Kalevala. Sung by both Kalaniemi and Käppi in Swedish in the rune tradition, it tells of music’s mysterious, emotional force. Blending rich harmonies, fragile melodies and tolling church bells, the album was released digitally on New Year’s Day and on CD on 9 January 2026, earning immediate critical praise.

Listen to Tåreportens Pärla on Apple Music or Spotify.

Teija Niku: Tovi (Out January 9th, self-released)

Teija Niku is a Helsinki-based accordionist and composer celebrated for merging Nordic and Balkan folk traditions with a distinctive melodic voice and imaginative arrangements. Her album Tovi, shaped over more than five years, reflects themes of change — weaving together Nordic dance influences and Balkan colors in a soundscape that moves between quiet melancholy and radiant joy.

Listen to Tovi on Apple Music or Spotify.

Tuuletar: Maammo (Out January 30th on Nordic Notes)

Tuuletar’s third studio album Maammo opens a new phase for the ensemble and renews their collaboration with the American a cappella production company Liquid 5th, following their debut Tules Maas Vedes Taivaal (2016). Maammo was recorded and produced by Chris Juengel, mixed and mastered by Carl Taylor, with all music written, composed and arranged by the group.

Listen to Maammo on Apple Music or Spotify.

Sweatmaster: More! (Out January 30th on Svart)

Sweatmaster, a long-running name in Finnish garage rock, make an awaited return with their fifth album, More!. Following their 2010 album Dig Up the Knife, the band went on an extended hiatus. A few years ago, they returned to the stage with shows in Finland and abroad. Around the same time, new songs began to take shape in rehearsals, and the band soon settled on a clear approach to developing the new material.

Listen to More! on Apple Music or Spotify.

The Flaming Sideburns: Scandinavian Riot (Out January 31st on Svart)

Scandinavian Riot documents the most intense early years (2000–2003) of The Flaming Sideburns and serves as the second installment in a three-LP series marking the band’s 30th anniversary. The release compiles rare tracks and previously unreleased recordings from the height of the "Scandinavian Action Rock" era.

Listen to Scandinavian Riot on Apple Music or Spotify.

Teini-Pää: Uusi vuosi (Out January 16th on Soit Se Silti)

Noise-pop, indie, shoegaze, call it what you may, but it doesn’t get much better than Teini-pää! The young five-piece released their praised third album in January, but you won’t find it on Spotify, which was the band’s personal statement. Recommended if you like: Maustetytöt, Alvvays, The Beths, DIIV etc.

Listen to Uusi vuosi on Apple Music.

February

Oulu All Star Big Band: Davvi Oktavuohta – Pohjoinen yhteys (Out February 6th on Eclipse Music)

Oulu All Star Big Band, with trumpeter Jukka Eskola as soloist, collaborates with Finnish Sámi joiker, singer, and actor Ingá-Máret Gaup-Juuso on the album Davvi Oktavuohta – Pohjoinen Yhteys, released on 6 February 2026, Sámi National Day. The recording brings together musical traditions and eras, combining Indigenous northern music with big band expression. The arrangements are by drummer-composer Mikko Hassinen, known as one of Finland’s leading big band arrangers.

Listen to Davvi Oktavuohta – Pohjoinen Yhteys on Apple Music or Spotify.

Turku Jazz Orchestra: The Labyrinth Garden (Out February 6th on Flame Jazz)

Composer Henri Lyysaari and Turku Jazz Orchestra’s album The Labyrinth Garden brings together Lyysaari’s big band compositions from the past decade. It forms a broad, narrative arc situated between modern big band jazz, clear-toned playfulness, and elements of classical wind orchestra aesthetics. Ambitious yet accessible, the album highlights a layered and dynamic approach to the big band tradition. Featured soloists also include saxophonist Max Zenger and trumpeter Mikko Karjalainen.

Listen to The Labyrinth Garden on Apple Music or Spotify.

The Northquakes: Greetings from the End of the World (Out February 6th on Stupido)

The Northquakes’ second album, Greetings from the End of the World, represents the next stage in the Helsinki-based band’s development. Combining elements of 1960s-inspired melodies and rhythms with new wave influences, the record presents contemporary indie guitar pop built around clear structures and prominent choruses.

Listen to Greetings from the End of the World on Apple Music or Spotify.

Temple Balls: Temple Balls (Out February 13th on Frontiers)

Melodic hard rockers Temple Balls return with a self-titled album that continues the direction of their last, fourth album Avalanche. Produced by Jona Tee, the fifth long-player features strong choruses, prominent guitars and a solid rhythm section. In recent years, the band has toured actively, including shows with Sonata Arctica, Queen, Deep Purple and Uriah Heep, performing at festivals and clubs around the world.

Listen to Temple Balls on Apple Music or Spotify.

Stam1na : Apnea (Out Feb 20 on Sakara)

Stam1na will release its 11th album, Apnea, in February. The record was produced by the band together with Julius Mauranen (Oranssi Pazuzu etc). According to vocalist-guitarist Antti Hyyrynen, the album deals with breathing and sudden loss, as well as the dreamlike nature of human life and unfulfilled speech. The singles “Golem” and “Käärmeennyrkki” have been released from the album, the latter accompanied by a music video directed by film-maker Anna Eriksson (watch below).

Akkajee: Pölynkerääjä (Out Feb 20, self-released)

Akkajee creates a sound larger than its size using acoustic strings, vocals, sound-producing objects and instruments, and subtle electronics—at times almost just a breath, at others an inevitable mass of sound. The duo, consisting of Meriheini Luoto and Iida Savolainen, has described its direction with the term “rotten folk”: layers of tradition opened up to true lovers of art, boldly and on its own terms. The album’s core instrumentation includes key fiddle, viola, vocals, and harmonium—and above all, recorders.

Michael Monroe: Outerstellar (Out February 20 on Silver Lining)

Featuring twelve tracks, legendary rocker Michael Monroe’s latest album Outerstellar
presents a varied collection that highlights his broad musical range. Even in his sixties, Monroe shows no signs of slowing down – point proven by the 10-date UK tour he will be embarking on right after the album release!

Malla: Pieni exit (Out February 27 on Lördag)

The third MALLA album is a showcase of her electronic sounds, moving from melodic disco tracks to tightly driven house. The full-length was preceded by the singles “Toista tilaisuutta ei ehkä tuu”, “Halo”, and “Toisella puolella”, as well as performances at e.g. Iceland Airwaves 2025. RIYL: Jessie Ware, Róisín Murphy, Goldfrapp.

Muscular: Muscular (Out on February 28 on Drink Tonight)

Unlike Muscular’s producer-led debut, largely created in a solo studio setting, the elecro-funk-pop band’s second album was conceived as a group effort aimed at capturing their live energy and onstage chemistry. The album release was preceded by whopping five singles: "Super Macarena", "The Queen", "Years & Years", "Day 2 (Tokyo)", and "Prisoner".

March

Lost Society: Hell Is A State Of Mind (Out March 6 on Nuclear Blast)

For Lost Society (vocalist-guitarist Samy Elbanna, guitarist Arttu Lesonen, bassist Mirko Lehtinen, and drummer Tapani Fagerström), their 6^th album Hell Is A State Of Mind represents a further development of their sound within a more metal-oriented framework. Working again with producer, co-writer, and mixing engineer Joonas Parkkonen, the album’s direction shifted during the creation of the single “Blood Diamond,” which expanded from an initial melodic idea into a more layered, string-driven arrangement.

Johanna Juhola & Lena Jonsson: The Power of Polska (Out March 6 on Nordic Notes)

Swedish fiddler Lena Jonsson and Finnish accordionist Johanna Juhola have collaborated on the album The Power of Polska. The duo combines Swedish and Finnish folk traditions with original material. Clear melodies, rhythmic focus, and elements of improvisation characterize their music. The album explores the polska through a selection of newly written pieces and traditional tunes.

Maustetytöt: Itken jos mua huvittaa (Out March 13 on Lördag)

Maustetytöt, who have also gained international recognition, have established themselves as one of Finland’s most popular bands and regularly tour not only across Finland but around Europe as well. Their fourth album features ten “upbeat” tracks dealing with themes such as school bullying, eating disorders, struggles with coping, and the ever-approaching presence of death. Itken jos mua huvittaa was recorded at a Gothenburg analog studio and produced by Gustav Ejstes and Mattias Glavå. The album also includes string arrangements by Ahti Marja-aho as well as a children’s choir. The band says they experimented with various vintage synths and effects during the sessions, playing acoustic guitar alongside electric, and using not only synth basses but also electric bass.

Captain Yaffacake & Brother Shubie: Dubhuman (Out March 20th on Boom Bird)

Although Finnish music veterans, drummer Janne Haavisto (aka Brother Shubie formerly of Laika and the Cosmonauts and dozens of other bands) and bassist Sami Yaffa (aka Captain Yaffacake, known from e.g. Hanoi Rocks, Jetboy, and the Michael Monroe Band), first started making dub experiments in 1978, they will release their first joint album this year, 48 years later. The experimental dub project, named Dubhuman, will be released through Boom Bird Records, the new label founded by Yaffa.

Hanging Garden: Isle of Bliss (Out March 20th on Agonia Records)

On their ninth album, Isle of Bliss, Hanging Garden take a somewhat different approach to their characteristic melancholic sound. While elements such as synths and layered vocals remain, there is a stronger emphasis on heavier drum and guitar arrangements, giving the material a darker overall tone than some of their earlier releases. The album explores themes related to life, death, and transitional states between them.

Joose Keskitalo: Cursed Be Those Mariners, They Lead a Wicked Life (Out March 20th on Helmi Levyt)

Singer-songwriter Joose Keskitalo’s boisterously titled new album is his fourth one sung in English. The prolific folk singer, hailing from the same Savonlinna art school circles as cult band Paavoharju, has built a mysterious reputation in Finland during his 20-year career. The album release will be accompanied by a UK show in Sheffield in April. Note: the video embedded below is not from the upcoming Joose Keskitalo album, from which there were no advance videos available, but from his 2021 album "New Songs for Old Motifs".

Finding Jens Hortling: Finding Jens Hortling (Out March 27th on Humu Records)

Finding Jens Hortling is a collaboration between singer Jens Hortling (The Toxics) and musician-producer Lauri Eloranta (Damn Seagulls). The band plays cinematic alternative rock, drawing much of its influence from the 1990s while also nodding to the early decades of rock music.

April

Krypta: Unen oma (Out April 10th on Svart)

Krypta will release their new album Unen oma on April 10, 2026 via Svart Records. The band’s music combines melodic guitar-driven arrangements with lyrics that draw on themes of mysticism, horror, and romance. Their songs often examine the uncertainties of the human mind, where perception and reality can blur. On Unen oma, the lyrics address the relationship between truth and falsehood, the layered nature of dreams, and apocalyptic imagery, while also allowing space for compassion and solace.

Suistamon Sähkö: Lunta Tupaan (Out April 10th on Playground Music)

“If you would make a roleplay game where Sheffieldian acid house would be discovered in post-Soviet Karelia, you could end up something like this”, we wrote in our article about Suistamon Sähkö in 2021. Five years on, the description still holds: the singles released from Suistamon Sähkö’s upcoming 4^th long-player have yet again proved the limitless versatility and positive madness that the quartet holds.

Release date TBA

Sin Cos Tan: Greed (All That Plazz)

The duo Sin Cos Tan, formed by producer-DJ Jori Hulkkonen and singer-songwriter Juho Paalosmaa, will release their fifth album sometime this spring. Two advance singles have already been released, though the exact release date has yet to be announced. Stylistically, Sin Cos Tan balances Nordic melancholy, classic pop song structures, and precise electronic production. Their synthpop moves between nostalgia and a forward-looking approach: restrained in tone, melodically focused, and firmly rooted in the tradition of European electronic pop.