2026 music

All photos courtesy of respective artists

2025 has been a year of growth, creativity, and experimentation across the music scene, with artists from different genres intentionally redefining their sound. From emerging names gaining international traction to established acts stepping into bolder creative territory, these musicians have stood out through distinctive voices, compelling narratives, and memorable releases.

Here, we spotlight a selection of 2026 music artists helping shape the present moment in the industry. Each brings a distinct perspective, whether through pop sensibilities, genre-blending experimentation, emotional honesty, or forward-thinking production. These are the names worth following as they continue to evolve with 2026 music and beyond.

Tash Blake

This year alone, Tash Blake released a steady run of singles and EPs, each one further expanding her reach and sharpening her artistic identity. Drawing inspiration from pop icons such as Madonna, Britney Spears, and Lady Gaga, her sound nods to classic pop lineage while confidently carving out its own space. Her latest single, ‘Die In Your Arms’, continues that momentum, pushing her sound further while amplifying its emotional and sonic impact. It serves as a strong closing statement for her 2025 releases.

Looking ahead to 2026 music, Blake is set to release a third EP, bringing this trilogy of projects to a close. The rollout is supported by a high-fashion visual universe titled The Pop Dungeon, paired with choreography that draws listeners into the chaos, beauty, and duality that define her creative world.

Slicr

For listeners drawn to the unconventional, Slicr offers something refreshingly different. They have emerged as an anomaly within the pop space, standing apart from more conventional genre expectations. The five-piece band, which debuted with their single ‘Radio Valley’, caused quite a buzz. Blending dream pop, lo-fi textures, and shoegaze influences, the band has positioned itself as one of the more intriguing new acts in the current scene.

2026 will mark the beginning of Slicr’s wider arc. The band will release their next single and debut EP in the spring, followed by a national tour before heading to London to record their first full-length album with Grammy Award–winning engineer Cecil “Adam” Bartlett. A UK tour follows in April, culminating in a return home for a performance at the Samodiva Festival alongside Tramhaus and Lufthansa.

Jade LeMac

Vancouver-based singer Jade LeMac has built her career around emotional openness and a willingness to show her true self. Her ascent began in 2021 with the breakout track “Constellations,” which quickly gained momentum and secured major sync placements, including Netflix’s ‘My Life with the Walter Boys’ and Tubi’s 2024 film Sidelined: The QB and Me. The single has since achieved Gold status in the United States and Platinum certification in Canada. She expanded on that success with the Constellations EP in 2023, followed by 2024’s Confessions EP. In 2025, Jade performed at major festivals such as Lollapalooza and Osheaga, including a standout appearance opening for ROLE MODEL’s highly talked-about after-party, which featured a surprise appearance by Olivia Rodrigo. She also joined Maren Morris on tour.

As far as 2026 music goes, Jade plans to continue touring through late spring, summer, and fall. While a headline run is unlikely at this stage, she is expected to join the road as support for a major artist, with room for plans to evolve. Festival appearances are also on the horizon.

Lara Snow

Lara Snow crafts dark, emotionally driven pop that blends dream-pop, indie, electronic, and sadcore influences. Her music is shaped by intimate vocals and lyrics centered on love, loss, and personal reflection, with inspiration drawn from film and literature. In 2025, she began releasing music from her debut album, starting with the singles ‘Someone Else’s Man’ and ‘Poetry Kids’, which quickly attracted international listeners and press attention. Her single ‘How To Break a Heart’ continues in this direction, pairing stripped-back production with a vocals-forward arrangement while exploring the end of a relationship. The song is accompanied by a minimalist video filmed in Paris. 

With her debut album set for release next year and collaborations with producers such as Sun Tailor, Roy Avital, and Gilbert Broid, Lara Snow builds on the success of her earlier EP Delete Forever while continuing to establish herself as a rising voice in melancholic pop. 

Lara is set to release additional singles, including collaborations with producer Kadosh & Sun Tailor, alongside her debut album, expected around mid-2026.

Snack Munson

Operating out of Los Angeles, Snack Munson approaches pop as a flexible system rather than a fixed genre. The 22-year-old singer-songwriter and producer builds his work around ideas first, folding electronic textures, alternative instincts, and dance-driven structures into tightly constructed songs. His recent single ‘Number1’, released in September, signals the direction of Deflector Shield, a forthcoming project set to arrive later this year. The rollout continues into early 2026 with ‘Stretch (Into Infinity)’, offering an early glimpse into the next phase of his evolving catalogue.

Naomi Jane

Naomi Jane has quickly established herself as a strong presence in the pop scene. Her commanding vocal performances, paired with polished production, position her as a compelling figure within modern pop. Her most recent single, ‘IDWK’, marks a key moment in her transition toward her upcoming project. The single invites fans, editors, and curators to join her as she explores an alt-indie and country-influenced sound, with unique instrumentation and a shifted perspective. While her storytelling continues to build immersive worlds, ‘IDWK’ sets the stage for the next chapter, signaling a collaborative step forward with her audience and a new direction in her music.

Looking ahead, 2026 is poised to be a defining year rather than a single release moment for Naomi Jane. The early part of the year will continue to introduce new music that expands on the emotional and sonic shift hinted at by ‘IDWK’, easing listeners into a broader alt-indie and country-leaning palette. Rather than rushing toward a destination, the year unfolds as a gradual deepening of tone and perspective, with each release adding clarity to the world she is building. By the time the larger project comes into focus, the emphasis is less on individual songs and more on the cumulative experience, one shaped by intention, continuity, and an ongoing dialogue with her audience.

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2026 Music: FAULT’s Artists to Watch

Star2

Star2’s journey from a Thai refugee camp to the San Diego music scene reads like a story of resilience and reinvention. Having fled the Burmese army’s destruction of his village in Myanmar, he arrived in the U.S. with his grandmother and her children through a camp lottery, starting a new chapter far from home. Mentored by producer Chico Bennett, Star2 has built a name for himself through collaborations with notable rappers including Soulja Boy, Mozzy, Luh Kel, $tupid Young, and YSN Flow. Offstage, he invites audiences into his life via the widely-followed YouTube series ‘Adventures of Star2’, blending personal storytelling with visually compelling narratives.

Looking ahead, 2026 promises to expand Star2’s creative footprint even further. He will continue to release new music, collaborate with artists like Young Henny and $tupid Young, and perform across Southeast Asia. Beyond the music, Star2 is set to explore multimedia projects, including a Japan-focused vlog, a second collaborative cruise with Chinatown Runner and Ler Mu Dex, a pilot for The Adventures of Star2 animated series, and the launch of his S2MG label to spotlight Ka-ren talent in Thailand. Through these endeavors, he is not only sharing his artistry but also building platforms to uplift his community and connect fans to his evolving story.

McMillin

McMillin channels raw energy and unflinching honesty into a sound that defies convention, blending modern rock’s intensity with punk’s restless edge and lyrics that cut straight to the core. He balances his solo work with performances in bands like Space Radio, Ratilla, and 12 South Band. His 2025 album, Only from Afar, built momentum through a year-long release strategy that drew media attention and expanded his fanbase, paving the way for what comes next. Currently writing, producing, and touring with multiple projects, McMillin is set to kick off his 2026 music journey with a new single that signals another step forward in his evolution.

Labit

Labit, the Los Angeles-based Filipino-American singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist, transforms personal experience into music that feels both intimate and universal. His songs are rooted in storytelling, weaving moments of cultural memory and emotional honesty into arrangements that highlight his guitar, vocals, and production skills. Beyond his solo work, Labit has crafted material for other artists across pop, rock, and R&B, leaving his mark with collaborations that reveal the versatility and nuance of his songwriting.

In 2026, Labit’s artistry is set to reach new dimensions. He will take his music to stages alongside Galdive while simultaneously exploring fresh collaborations, EP releases, and select material from his forthcoming third studio album. With potential appearances at international festivals across Southeast Asia, the year promises to expand both his audience and the sonic world he’s building.

Kiara Skyler

Kiara Skyler creates music for those who find comfort in poetic clichés, rom-com nostalgia, and the bittersweet moments of young adulthood. At 20 years old, she channels influences from artists such as Holly Humberstone and Lizz McAlpine into songs that explore love, heartbreak, and the process of growing up. Balancing college life with her songwriting, Kiara blends earnest lyricism with melodic sensibilities that feel both personal and relatable.

Looking ahead to 2026 music, Kiara is preparing a series of releases that continue her exploration of self-discovery and emotion. Her next single, ‘in ur jeans’, arriving in February, offers a pop-infused take on heartbreak with a distinctly anti-Valentine’s edge. She will also collaborate with artists across the EDM and indie-pop landscapes while continuing to write for other musicians, building momentum and anticipation for the next phase of her career.

Jacque Ryal

Jacque Ryal stands out as an indie-pop artist who navigates both the collective energy of her band RYAL and the personal intensity of her solo work. Her music moves fluidly between delicate melodies and bold electronic textures, reflecting a balance of vulnerability and strength that is distinctly her own. She channels the confidence of iconic pop figures while maintaining a cinematic sensibility that makes each track feel like its own story. Her latest release, ‘Faded Machine’, showcases this approach with a hypnotic rhythm and an alluring presence that immediately draws the listener in.

For her 2026 music, Jacque will continue to expand her solo catalog with new releases, starting with the upcoming single ‘Audubon’. With every track, she deepens her exploration of contrasts and further defines her unique position within the indie-pop landscape.

The Grand Mess

The Grand Mess has spent years building a career as a producer and songwriter, with music featured across TV shows, films, and advertising, and credits with artists who have collectively amassed millions of streams. In recent years, he has stepped into the spotlight to release his own music. Raised in Montreal, he learned classical piano from his grandmother while teaching himself recording by building a studio in his mother’s basement and collaborating with local rappers. His music reflects this dual background, blending classical and jazz influences with hip-hop drums and dance-driven elements to create a layered, immersive sound.

In 2026, The Grand Mess will release his full-length album, For All My Worth, and tour across Canada and the United States with a solo show where each song flows seamlessly into the next, blurring the line between concert and sound installation. Fans can also expect a score composed by The Grand Mess to be featured on the big screen.