The New Wave of Musicians You Should Be Watching
From ethereal dream pop to irreverent hip-hop, passing through contemporary country, confessional pop, and boundary-blurring indie explorations, this year’s musical landscape is as vast as it is overwhelming. There have never been so many options to listen to, discover, and follow closely, which is precisely why finding voices with real identity has become a challenge. We’ve brought together artists who are building their own language. Some already have traction, others are right on the edge of a breakthrough, but they all are defining their path with intention.
Alysha
Alysha understands creation as a borderless territory, where fashion, performance, and music merge into a single pulse. Her visual presence is striking, but what truly sustains her work is a sonic vision that transforms influences into living atmospheres, carrying that rare quality of being timeless while still looking forward.
Her music blends the intimacy of R&B with indie edge and ’80s nostalgia. Synths sketch nocturnal landscapes, melodies ache beautifully, and lyrics move between light and shadow with uncommon emotional confidence.
In 2026, she will release the single “Crawling” in February, followed by more music leading into an EP for spring/summer and a London headline show around the release.
Flyana Boss
Flyana Boss builds an entire universe through rap, and it shows. Bobbi and Folayan, the duo behind the project, combine sharp bars with comedic timing and a chemistry that makes everything more explosive.
Following the viral impact of “You Wish” and the momentum of singles like “C*NT,” “TRY ME,” and “Icicle,” the duo proves that their weirdness is their greatest weapon. Their music thrives on energy, wit, and a presence that naturally fits today’s cultural ecosystem.
In 2026, they plan a steady rollout of new music paired with ambitious visuals, character-driven storytelling, intimate fan experiences, and an expanded digital universe (Twitch, sketches, and collaborations).
Faith Schueler
Faith Schueler’s country music draws from classic storytelling but pushes it forward with a modern attitude and a stage presence that has already placed her alongside major names in the circuit. She’s not a shy promise; she’s an artist who’s earned her place by playing where it matters. Faith moves between the sparkle of live performance and the discipline of the writing room, collaborating with respected industry figures.
In 2026, she will release three singles in the first half of the year, followed by an EP toward the end of 2026, while continuing to pursue touring and festival opportunities and building on the momentum of being named an ASCAP Artist to Watch for 2026.
Maisy-Kay
Maisy-Kay’s story unfolds between the English countryside and Los Angeles. Her sound feels like dance nostalgia and polished pop, anchored by lyrics that aim for vivid imagery. Her career already carries high-level credentials, including collaborations and touring experience that have prepared her for larger stages.
She blends fantasy with emotion. Her songs play with worlds, languages, and references but always land on something deeply human.
She’ll release “Vantablack” in January and continue touring. After Australia and New Zealand, she’ll join Lauren Spencer Smith on the US leg in February.
Labit
Labit (Stephen Ordoñez) writes from unfiltered honesty, and it shows in how his music feels intimate without ever feeling small. As a multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, and producer, his work bridges emotion and cultural memory, creating songs that function as places you enter, recognize something of yourself, and stay. Alongside his solo project, Labit brings a strong background as a songwriter with credits across pop, rock, and R&B.
In 2026, he’ll support Galdive on tour, release collaborative singles, work on new EPs, and potentially preview material from a third album, with possible festival appearances across Southeast Asia.
Sarah Hollins
Sarah Hollins lives a double life that, in her case, adds up. Librarian by day, guitars and stages by night. That everyday discipline translates into songs with narrative drive, a clear literary sensitivity, and a presence that has already taken her to key venues and festivals.
Her next chapter signals a more expansive creative scope. Alongside new music developed with an established producer, she is shaping a body of work that moves between original material and reinterpretations, approached through a distinctly feminine and queer lens. Throughout 2026, she will release two singles early in the year, followed by an EP in the spring, before unveiling a post-EP series of covers. In parallel, she is preparing the publication of a poetry book later in the year while continuing work on her memoir, further extending her creative practice beyond music.
glass egg
Emilia Glaser, known as glass egg, approaches dream pop with an emotional edge that lingers. Her imagery is rooted in the Pacific Northwest landscape and an indie sensibility that treats atmosphere as narrative.
Built from quiet, self-contained beginnings, “visions & ecstasies” emerges from a deeply DIY process rooted in solitude and meticulous craft. What starts in small, private spaces ultimately opens outward, creating a body of work that feels immersive and expansive despite its intimate origins. As the project moves into 2026, she is set to take that world on the road with her first East Coast tour in the fall while simultaneously developing new singles that extend and reframe the artistic universe introduced on the album.
Madison Olivia
Madison Olivia enters 2026 with new music that signals a shift in perspective. More intention, more joy, more openness, and artistically, those shifts often mark the most interesting leaps.
Her energy is also focused on strengthening her live show and finally giving the project the visual support it deserves. A collection of new songs is coming in 2026, along with a performance at CRS in March, more touring with her band, and the release of music videos that introduce this new chapter.
Kiara Skyler
Kiara Skyler writes from romance, growth, contradiction, and search. Her strength lies in lyrical sincerity and an aesthetic that connects with today’s confessional pop without losing individuality. There’s something cinematic in the way she tells her story, as if each single were a chapter.
Beyond her own artist project, Kiara also writes for other musicians, an experience that sharpens her ear for memorable melodies and precise emotions. In February 2026, she’ll release “in ur jeans,” appear on EDM and indie pop features, and continue expanding her work as a songwriter for others.
Daya Dorado
Daya Dorado’s Tex-Mex country is identity, resistance, and storytelling. Raised in Texas within a Mexican family, her work blends classic country with Norteño rhythms, the accordion as symbol, and bilingual lyrics that speak to both intimate life and collective history. Her awards and grants point to cultural relevance. Daya has been carving out a space where Latina women in country music are centered, not treated as a novelty.
In 2026, she’ll release her debut studio album, produced by Manuel Calderón, and plans a Tex-Mex Country summer/fall tour across the US and Mexico, alongside a new chapter based in Nashville to strengthen her live presence.
Nick Walker
Nick Walker enters 2026 with a blend of pride and ambition. After nearly five years in Nashville refining his craft—writing, recording, and performing cover songs—his debut album marks both a milestone and the start of a new chapter. The year ahead includes a summer tour featuring shows and festivals across the country, offering fans the chance to experience his music live and complete a full-circle journey from his early days in Nashville.