I love making playlists! Last night, I was inspired to put together almost 3 hours of music by 45 different artists — all of the songs having been released this year, in 2026. My aim was to challenge myself with diversity in genre and style, to make it global, and to include artists who are well known, as well as many who are obscure. Many of these musical acts are also on tour this year, and you might be able to see them live in your city!
If you prefer to hit shuffle, go ahead. But as someone who honed their playlist skills on burning custom CDs for friends in high school, I love curating a playlist for an enjoyable and entertaining listen. I picked each song specifically to play in the order listed, for an experience that ebbs and flows, with smooth transitions and treats for the ear. (The "+" is because I know I'll likely be tempted to add a couple more songs in the coming weeks.)
Click "read more" for the playlist below. :)
If you prefer to hit shuffle, go ahead. But as someone who honed their playlist skills on burning custom CDs for friends in high school, I love curating a playlist for an enjoyable and entertaining listen. I picked each song specifically to play in the order listed, for an experience that ebbs and flows, with smooth transitions and treats for the ear. (The "+" is because I know I'll likely be tempted to add a couple more songs in the coming weeks.)
Click "read more" for the playlist below. :)
Full disclosure: Yes, this playlist is on Spotify. I've had a Hulu/Spotify account for super cheap since I went back to grad school, and it's been a great way to make and share playlists for the past decade. Since the end of last year, I have been struggling to find a platform that allows you to easily build, share, and embed playlists online that anyone with or without an account can listen to for free. I have a feeling it might actually end up being ... Soundcloud? (It would be hilarious if we came full circle back to Soundcloud after all these years! I love Soundcloud.)
So, as I figure out how to transition to another public playlist service that is more supportive of musicians, and less supportive of late stage capitalism, please use this playlist as a discovery tool, and/or to build your own version on your streaming service of choice (Apple Music, Tidal, Qobuz, YouTube Music, Soundcloud, etc.), and then go seem them live in your city (many are on tour this summer and fall!), and/or buy their music online directly through platforms like Bandcamp. I'll make it a bit easier for you below.
2026 playlist artists
So, as I figure out how to transition to another public playlist service that is more supportive of musicians, and less supportive of late stage capitalism, please use this playlist as a discovery tool, and/or to build your own version on your streaming service of choice (Apple Music, Tidal, Qobuz, YouTube Music, Soundcloud, etc.), and then go seem them live in your city (many are on tour this summer and fall!), and/or buy their music online directly through platforms like Bandcamp. I'll make it a bit easier for you below.
2026 playlist artists
- Elizabeth & the Catapult -- https://elizabethandthecatapult.com/
- Cannons -- https://www.cannonstheband.com/
- Jackie Evans -- https://jackieevans.music/
- OUT IN FRONT -- https://oifband.com/
- EXES -- https://weareexes.com/
- Searows -- https://www.searows.com/
- Olivia Belli -- https://oliviabelli.com/home
- Jessie Ware -- https://www.jessieware.com/
- RAYE -- https://rayeofficial.com/
- New Constellations -- https://newconstellations.band/
- Bleary -- https://blearyband.com/
- Holly Humberstone -- https://www.hollyhumberstone.com/
- Telenova -- https://www.telenovamusic.co/
- DRAMA -- https://thedramaduo.com/
- Absolutely -- https://www.absolutelyofficial.com/
- Mirah -- https://www.mirahmusic.com/
- Kaki King -- https://www.kakiking.com/
- Yumi Zouma -- https://yumizouma.com/
- Meltt -- https://www.meltt.ca/
- Bayonne -- https://www.bayonneofficial.com/
- Culture Wars -- https://culturewars.io/
- Metric -- https://www.ilovemetric.com/
- Yves -- https://yves.bstage.in/
- El Ten Eleven -- https://elteneleven.com/
- Lykke Li -- https://lykkeli.com/
- So Below -- https://www.sobelow.co/
- LINA -- https://www.lina-official.de/
- CRi -- https://www.crimusic.net/
- SYML -- https://symlmusic.com/
- Gem Club -- https://iamgemclub.com/
- James Blake -- https://jamesblakemusic.com/
- Robyn -- https://www.robyn.com/
- MUNA -- https://whereismuna.com/
- Edgehill -- https://edgehillband.com/
- Hana Lili -- https://www.hanalili.com/
- Nine Inch Nails, Boys Noize (yeah I'm cheating on this one a little bit) -- https://www.nin.com/peel-it-back-tour-2025-with-boys-noize/
- Arlo Parks -- https://www.arloparksofficial.com/
- googly eyes -- https://www.marathonmusicworks.com/tm-attraction/googly-eyes/
- Annabelle Dinda -- https://www.annabelledinda.com/
- Ásgeir -- https://www.asgeirmusic.com/
- Kate Boy -- https://www.instagram.com/kateboyofficial/
- ARY -- https://www.instagram.com/ary.forevig/
- Overcoats -- https://www.overcoatsmusic.com/
- Asha Banks, Novo Amor, and Lowswimmer -- https://www.ashabanks.co.uk/; https://www.novoamor.co.uk/; https://lowswimmer.com/
- Blackbird Blackbird -- https://blackbirdblackbird.bandcamp.com/album/d-r-e-a-m-s-t-u-c-k
RSS Feed