The Top 10 Music Artists To Watch in 2026

This year, we've seen meteoric musical rises from artists such as Olivia Dean and KATSEYE, who went from small fanbases to worldwide domination. We featured Olivia Dean on our "Artists to Watch" list in 2021 already (not to brag), so we believe we've got some credentials to give you our definitive list of artists to look out for in 2026.

While you might still be replaying the standout releases of 2025, the thrill of discovering new voices never really fades. From Sienna Spiro, whose powerful vocals are already edging her toward a breakout moment, to Smerz, the Scandi-pop duo behind the dreamy new album Big City Life, these are the names you'll want to stream, follow and talk about if you want to stay ahead of the cultural curve.

Continue reading for the full list, and while you're here, check out how the costume designer behind I Love LA brought Rachel Sennott's vision to life.

Sienna Spiro

Sienna Spiro is the 20-year-old artist who's gone from the school stage to the sold-out stage. You've probably already heard her soulful vocals, capturing audiences since the release of her debut single "Need Me" in May 2024. Still, earlier this year, the London singer-songwriter released her first EP, Sink Now, Swim Later, which has taken the artist to new heights. The single "Die on This Hill" saw Spiro's numbers soar, with the track reaching number nine in the UK singles chart. Now, the singer has been announced as a contender for 2026's Brits Critics' Choice Award. Cinematic songwriting and powerful vocals have drawn comparisons to Adele (who previously won the award), so keep an eye on Spiro.

Adéla

Adéla Jergová is bringing us back to the hyper-pop era of decades past. Suggestive dance routines, brazen lyrics and bold visuals bring back a subversive nature that could make the artist our newest pop princess. Only releasing her debut EP earlier this year, Adéla has already booked a supporting spot on Demi Lovato's upcoming tour and got her catchy tunes stuck in our heads. The Slovakian singer initially got rejected from the girl group KATSEYE, but thanks to that, she's now a superstar in her own right. Her music takes the "sex sells" motto literally, with the track "Sex on the Beat" accompanied by a video that sees the star appear to simulate an orgasm. With her signature pink hair and known only by her mononym, her star status is already cemented.

Aziya

Aziya is London's rising alt-rock star. The 25-year-old first grew her fan base through social media during lockdown, where she posted videos and hosted TikTok livestreams in her bedroom, showcasing her talent. Inspired by Debbie Harry and Prince, the musician has carved out her own unique sound, which blends alternative pop with indie rock, leading to her self-proclaimed title of "Rockstar baby." It's no secret that women in alternative rock music have been historically erased and placed in the margins of history, leaving few female role models in the genre. Today, Aziya is changing that for the next generation.

Chelsea Jordan

 

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American singer-songwriter Chelsea Jordan has caught our attention with her soft, soulful vocals and lyrics that recount life as a 20-something navigating adulthood and heartbreak. Her most recent hit, "halfwaythru" from her sophomore EP Level Out, has captured audiences with lyrics like, "I love a cheeky glass of wine and a cigarette." It's hard not to love her honest and relatable storytelling. She's going to be big, and you heard it here first.

Gale

Puerto Rican singer-songwriter Gale doesn't think about genres or boundaries; she just wants to create something personal. The classically trained singer broke into the industry by co-writing songs for artists like Shakira, Christina Aguilera and Anitta before eventually scoring her own record deal. Gale's sophomore album, Lo Que Puede Pasar, was released this October and blurs the lines between synth-powered pop, reggaeton dance beats and guitar-fueled rock. Get Gale on your playlist if you want to be dancing your way through 2026.

Smerz

Smerz is about to be everywhere. The experimental Norwegian duo, made up of Catharina Stoltenberg and Henriette Motzfeldt, artfully express a fantasy of city life like few other musicians. Young urban womanhood with its messy nights, sticky bars, kisses with strangers and endless excitement is perfectly channelled through their second studio album, Big City Life. Their sonic universe will have you totally spellbound as the electro-pop carries you into a world of cool melancholia.

Ravyn Lenae

By no means a newcomer, Ravyn Lenae is ready for stardom. Last December, Lenae filmed a TikTok of herself set to her song "Love Me Not," with the caption "Me after linking with him one last time cause I'm not bringing him into 2025." With this cute, tongue-in-cheek send-off to a guy combined with the catchy vocals, we were sold. This year, the track gave Lenae her first entry on Billboard's Top 100, and she later opened for Sabrina Carpenter's Short n' Sweet tour. The alt-R&B tunes with captivatingly light vocals will take you to the point of hypnosis, and we can't wait for what's next. 

Oklou

French singer Oklou, real name Marylou Mayniel, takes her classical music training and channels it through angelic vocals and a unique take on electronic music. Earlier this year, the singer delivered a 13-track record, her first official album, titled Choke Enough, to rave reviews. Oklou was no newbie on the scene, though, having previously worked with A.G. Cook and Shygirl, and been on tour with Caroline Polachek and Flume, but her hype was still kept pretty under wraps... that is, until this year. The glittering showcase of uncanny combinations and textures, together with her classical training, makes her music a gorgeous tapestry of modern sound. The singer has since released a Deluxe version of the album, complete with a single in collaboration with FKA Twigs. With this breakout, we can't expect the noise to die down for Oklou yet.

Chloe Qisha

Chloe Qisha is alt-pop's rising star. Born in Malaysia and now based in the UK, the singer writes heartbreak and yearning with uncanny precision, especially impressive for someone in a long-term, happy relationship. Drawing inspiration from the stories of her friends, Qisha channels the kind of emotional honesty that heals your inner teenager while pushing you forward. Wrapped in cinematic synths and delivered with cool-girl charisma, her music feels expansive, emotionally charged and ready for a bigger stage.

Geese

Geese are a strain of New York City cool that recalls eras long gone. The Brooklyn-based group has revived a certain type of music that the media is declaring to be Gen Z's first great rock band. Their latest album, Getting Killed, was the summer's thrilling hit and brought hundreds of fans queueing outside their shows. Some have even gone so far as to say this finally feels like going back in time and seeing a "proper rock group." Of course, this is subjective, but their music's unpolished energy and poetic lyricism express what young people are feeling today in a way that listening to '90s music doesn't. So get to know Geese, consisting of vocalist and frontman Cameron Winter, guitarist Emily Green, bassist Dom DiGesu and drummer Max Bassin.

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