Albums

Vanishing Twin, Kristin Hersh, MEMORIALS, Haylie Davis, The Bevis Frond and The Reds, Pinks and Purples have landed on Rough Trade’s Best Albums Of The Year

November 10, 2026

Following another epic year of releases at Fire Records, Rough Trade reveal their End Of Year list that includes a chart topping six Fire releases that came into the world over the last twelve months. Vanishing Twin’s ‘Archives’ at #10, Kristin Hersh’s ‘Sugar On Blackstone’ at #19, MEMORIALS’ ‘All Clouds Bring Not Rain’ at #30, Haylie Davis’ ‘Wandering Star’ at #33, The Bevis Frond‘s ‘Horrorful Heights’ at #69 and The Reds, Pinks and Purples’ ‘Acknowledge Kindness’ at #88.

Out today, you can listen to three new Rough Trade exclusive tracks from Vanishing Twin, MEMORIALS and Kristin Hersh to celebrate as we take a look back at another great year.

Albums of the Year
#10 Vanishing Twin – Archives
#19 Kristin Hersh – Sugar on Blackstone
#30 MEMORIALS – All Clouds Bring Not Rain
#33 Haylie Davis – Wandering Star
#69 The Bevis Frond – Horrorful Heights
#88 The Reds, Pinks & Purples – Acknowledge Kindness

Read the complete list below.

Read Rough Trade’s EOY Blog

Shop Rough Trade’s Best Albums Of The Year

Shop Rough Trade’s Exclusives

#10 Vanishing Twin – Archives

Shapeshifting trio Vanishing Twin ‘Archives’ is a collage of postmodern songcraft that finds transcendence in the shared experience of creation. Operating between and outside conventional categories of genre, they sit alongside fellow travellers such as Tara Clerkin Trio and Still House Plants, stretching the idea of the contemporary music ensemble.

Celebrating their inclusion in Rough Trade’s Best Albums of the Year, Vanishing Twin return with new single ‘Twist (Version)’ out digitally today and on a limited edition Rough Trade exclusive 7″.

“1960s yé-yé grooves collide with images of life and art in a gleaming Space-Age future.” Bandcamp
“Excellent… unapologetically raw” The Quietus – Album Of The Week

#19 Kristin Hersh – Sugar On Blackstone

Another essential entry in Kristin Hersh’s acclaimed and ever-evolving body of work. ‘Sugar On Blackstone’ was written in the aftermath of personal tragedy and against the backdrop of constant travel, wildfires and restless movement across America.

Featuring five new songs written during the same period as ‘Sugar On Blackstone’, the limited edition Rough Trade exclusive 12″ companion EP ‘Downers On Blackstone’ is its soporific sister: a slower, sludgier companion record drawn from the same world of true stories. Listen to new track ‘Pass Christian’ now.

“One of the defining voices of US alt-rock” The Guardian
★★★★ MOJO
★★★★ Uncut

30 MEMORIALS – All Clouds Bring Not Rain

MEMORIALS stunning second album, imagine Nico singing with Can produced by David Axelrod and you’re somewhere in the right ballpark. It draws inspiration from a wide range of music including folk, dub, post punk, experimental tape music, 60s soul, garage rock, 70s spiritual jazz and Canterbury prog.Celebrating their inclusion in Rough Trade’s Best Albums of the Year, MEMORIALS share ‘Until You Are In Tune’, a beautiful, heart-rending new single from the new Rough Trade exclusive companion album ‘All Clouds Aren’t Electric’. Featuring this brand new track alongside an acoustic(ish) reimagining of the songs on ‘All Clouds Bring Not Rain’.

“Gorgeous” ★★★★ Shindig
“Effortless” ★★★★ Uncut
★★★★ MOJO

33 Haylie Davis – Wandering Star

Haylie Davis’ debut full-length Wandering Star channels the spirit of the early ’70s, when Carole King and Joni Mitchell redefined songwriting. Across the album, Davis ventures into the world of rock n’ roll and pop while still touching on past influences from country and folk.

“A truly talented songwriter.” Qobuz

“Coherent and assured, a fully realised debut.” ★★★★ Shindig
“A new kind of Gen-Z songwriter” Rolling Stone Future 25

69 The Bevis Frond – Horrorful Heights

‘Horrorful Heights’ marks a formidable new chapter in The Bevis Frond’s deep and storied catalogue offering one of the most approachable entry points to the band’s world in years: a record that gathers their core strengths into a cohesive, vivid set.

“Prolific psych-pop veterans offer consistent kicks a on new bumper collection” ★★★★ Uncut
“A quiet revolution” ★★★★ Shindig

88 The Reds, Pinks and Purples – Acknowledge Kindness

‘Acknowledge Kindness’ expands The Reds, Pinks and Purples’ emotional and sonic panorama. Donaldson’s ongoing world-building in songs and images is both warmly nostalgic and strikingly original.  Their beautifully bruised pop leaving an indelible mark on bedrooms and hearts across the world.

“One of the masters of melancholic modern music.” God Is In The TV Zine
“A beautiful album” Vive Le Rock
“More from the heart than ever before” Brooklyn Vegan