With summertime fast approaching, the promise of longer days, rooftop terraces, spontaneous getaways and festival season is finally within reach, meaning there's no better time to refresh your playlists
After a standout year for music in 2025, 2026 is already shaping up to be just as exciting, with rising artists stepping into the spotlight and long-awaited albums on the horizon.
Before festival season begins, get ahead of the curve and familiarise yourself with the artists and albums set to soundtrack the months ahead.
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Sienna Spiro
Fans of Olivia Dean will fall for Spiro’s raspy, soulful vocals and lyrics about heartbreak. Behind her wispy lashes and signature side parting, her emotional depth cuts through the noise. After releasing her early singles "Need Me" and "Maybe", she debuted her EP Sink Now, Swim Later featuring "Die On This Hill", which went viral on TikTok and entered the Top 10 in the UK singles chart. Now, she’s found fast fans in SZA and Finneas alongside her 2.1 million Spotify listeners.
Absolutely
Get pulled in by her striking visual allure (long ginger locks and punk styling) then stay for singer Absolutely’s soothing voice, which makes her one of alt-pop’s most intriguing artists of 2026. Born Abby-Lynn Keen, the songwriter is preparing to release her album Paracosm, which is already shaping up to be something special, with its lead offerings "Goodbye Glitter", "I Just Don’t Know You Yet" and "No Audience". She steps into the limelight with Reneé Rapp on the Bite Me tour this year.
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Skye Newman
South Londoner Newman has a way of turning real-life events into chart-topping songs. She’s open about growing up in a complicated family, battling substance abuse and navigating turbulent relationships. With a distinctive husky voice and subtle jazz flow, Newman delivers melodic tracks like "FU & UF", "Family Matters" and "My Addiction"—songs that have an emotional pull she’s becoming known for. Her debut EP SE9 Part 1 arrived in October last year, and this April she’ll set out on her first UK tour. Expect powerhouse vocals.
Katseye
Since 2024, the global girl group Katseye have had an explosive rise, following the release of their single "Touch"—a huge hit on TikTok. From there, they’ve stormed our playlists and social-media algorithms thanks to their catchy, high-energy, self-assured tracks and dance routines that are just as hypnotic as their harmonies (seven months later and we still play their Gap ‘Better In Denim’ ad on repeat). With two Grammy nominations already under their belts, plus a recently wrapped-up, sold-out US tour, Katseye’s year ahead is looking loud.
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The Albums To Listen To
A$AP Rocky
A$AP returns with his fifth studio album Don't Be Dumb (we can only hope Rihanna isn't far behind).
Charli xcx
Created for Emerald Fennell's Wuthering Heights, Charli's album of the same name has a dark, gothic edge.
Ari Lennox
No one does soft and sensual like Lennox, and if Vacancy is on par with Shea Butter Baby, we're in for a treat.
Lana Del Rey
Leaning back into her Americana roots with a 10th studio album, Del Rey promises soft, sun-bleached country ballads.
Skepta
An ode to life as an immigrant in the UK, Fork & Knife promises Skepta's signature blend of grime and house, and greatness in every way.
Leigh-Anne
Following multiple EPs and singles, Leigh-Anne releases her debut album My Ego Told Me To, blending pop and irresistible hooks.
This story was first seen on ELLE UK.