The temperature is rising, and so is the quality of new music. These artists are blazing their trails, dropping fresh sounds, and setting the tone for a season of sweat, sun, and sonic goodness. Whether you’re road-tripping, sunbathing, or having a solo dance break in your kitchen, these names should be on your summer playlist.
If intensity had a soundtrack, it would sound like Naomi Jane. Following the buzz of her breakout track “Sweet Talk,” she’s now shaking the ground with “Lightning,” a high-voltage single brimming with emotional charge and sharp songwriting. With six singles leading up to her 2026 debut album “Dissonance,” Naomi is not easing into summer—she’s kicking the door down. Expect dynamic live performances (like her upcoming set at Seattle’s Crocodile) and storytelling that’s equal parts electricity and vulnerability. Consider this your warning: Naomi Jane isn’t just heating up—she’s on fire.
Ajii & Jordan Anthony’s summer offering, “Cherry,” is the kind of sultry, heady pop that belongs on late-night drives and rooftop flings. Teaming up with Jordan Anthony and a high-powered production crew, the Brooklyn-based artist spins an irresistible tale of impulsive love and wild detours. There’s humour, there’s heat, and above all, there’s harmony—literally. Ajii’s post-Idol path has taken a turn for the steamy, and “Cherry” proves he knows exactly how to keep things ripe.
Sometimes summer calls for reflection as much as revelry. Enter J Appiah’s “LUCY,” a soft, simmering meditation on the decisions we make—and those we regret. Drawing from soul, electronic, and indie influences, the East London artist crafts groovy poetry with an emotional pulse. With his new EP “That’s the Thing About Time, Part 2” arriving soon, Appiah is carving out space for quiet intensity in a season that often favours the loud. Perfect for dusk walks or backyard introspection.
Lauren Ruth Ward’s tour isn’t just a series of shows—it’s a soul pilgrimage. With her powerful new album “Medicine,” Ward is leaving traditional venues and circuits behind and showing up where real life happens: living rooms, gardens, and yoga studios, you name it. She’s not just performing, she’s peeling back layers—hers and yours. Ward’s voice cuts through the noise with grit, grace, and intention, and this summer, she’s rewriting what it means to go on tour. If you like your concerts personal, potent, and maybe a little healing, don’t miss your chance to connect.
For those chasing moonlight over strobe lights, Tyler Bradley Walker’s “Moon Broke Quiet” offers a haunting kind of peace. Featuring Tim Rutili of Califone, this track wraps analogue synths and ghostly guitar lines into a slow-burning meditation on loss and transformation. With his debut solo album dropping June 20th, Walker is ready to soundtrack your quieter summer moments—the ones spent watching stars or untangling thoughts you’ve been avoiding. He’s not here for the party—he’s here for the poetry.
With a sound that’s both delicate and defiant, Tuvaband brings an otherworldly energy to your summer playlist. “Galloping Chest” rides the line between spectral and cinematic, a powerful underdog anthem for anyone feeling overlooked or underestimated. Written, produced, and performed by Tuva herself, the track’s raw urgency offers a taste of her upcoming album “Seven Ways of Floating,” arriving October 24th. She’s also gearing up for a mystical tour next year, It promises to be quite the experience!
If slow-burn revenge songs are your jam, Goldie Boutilier’s “I Can’t” will hit hard. Her voice floats like a ghost over cinematic production, full of heartbreak, defiance, and the kind of emotional tension that could fry a radio signal. There’s no polished resolution here—just the messy middle of wanting everything and getting nothing. Currently touring the West Coast, Goldie brings the same raw magnetism to the stage that she channels in every note.
Matt B is bringing global unity to your headphones with “ALKEBULAN II,” an ambitious sonic experience that fuses African roots, orchestral grandeur, and future-forward storytelling. Fresh off a Grammy win and a collaboration with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, his music is a reminder that you don’t need to leave your room to feel the world move. Matt B’s latest work is proof that his music is revolutionary.
Imagine Daft Punk took a detour through a B-movie universe and dipped their synths in psych-pop gold. That’s Hidden Fortress. His video for “Creature” feels like an ‘80s fever dream—neon-lit and dripping with sci-fi flair—while the music pulses with experimental spirit and emotional grit. With new singles on the way and a full album slated for fall, Hidden Fortress is making summer weird in the best possible way. Think less sunscreen, more strobe light.
Need a jolt of dancefloor magic that feels like a space opera on ecstasy? MXGPU—aka Portuguese duo Moullinex and GPU Panic—are here to deliver. Their new track, “Take Me Home,” is a shimmering synthwave anthem that captures longing, euphoria, and self-reclamation in one sweeping drop. Known for their immersive 360° live shows, MXGPU doesn’t just play music—they sculpt experiences. Their debut album “Sudden Light” lands in September, but this summer, they’re already bending light and sound into pure pleasure.
For those long, neon-lit nights when you want your music as shadowy as your thoughts, Girl as Wave is essential listening. Her latest track “Asteroids” blends vaporwave melancholy with synthy sophistication and lyrical sharpness. Equal parts haunting and hypnotic, this New York-based artist is perfect for anyone who wants their pop to feel like a lucid dream—and maybe just a little bit like falling through the void.
