As we head towards the middle of the year — again, why is that important? I’m afraid that I cannot explain, as a very polite Roger Daltry might have considered sharing back in the day — it feels fitting to share the second installment of the 2026 playlist. (You can find the first installment, and an explanation of what this playlist actually is, right here, and the actual playlist itself on Spotify right here.)
Eagle-eared listeners might realize that tracks 91 and 95 come from watching HBO Max’s Hacks, and that tracks 92 and 93 are because I rewatched Project Hail Mary and they stuck in my head. I apologize for nothing; playlists should always be open for diegetic music, after all. Also, anyone who’s playing along at home, do yourself a favor: listen to the Byrds’ “Have You Seen Her Face” through the left channel only, please. The guitar work on that track is nuts, in a good way.
