It’s the question critics and industry bigwigs ask themselves year after year after year: who is going to break through at some point during the next twelve months? The answer to this question varies greatly depending on who you ask, and although no one asked us we’re going to tell you anyway. We could waste paragraphs convincing you why you should like this or love that, but at the end of the day it’s the music that does the talking. Here is our 2026 Starting XI, featuring a key song from each pick.
Blusher
From: Australia
For fans of: SOPHIE, hyperpop, fun
Just For Fun
From: United Kingdom
For fans of: basement parties, Boiler Room sets, Charli xcx
Y
From: United Kingdom
For fans of: Fat White Family, Warmduscher, the Brixton scene
Slate
From: Wales
For fans of: Joy Division, Wunderhorse, The Murder Capital
Isabel van Gelder
From: Netherlands
For fans of: Mitski, Adrienne Lenker, Cara Rose
Telenova
From: Australia
For fans of: Chvrches, Wolf Alice, Miami Horror
C’est Qui?
From: Netherlands
For fans of: Tramhaus, Viagra Boys, sweaty basements
Adéla
From: Slovakia
For fans of: Charli xcx, Slayyter, Addison Rae
Angine De Poitrine
From: Canada
For fans of: King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard, HENGE, high concept experimentalism
Don West
From: Australia
For fans of: Connan Mockasin, Father John Misty, blue-eyed soul
Sailor Honeymoon
From: South Korea
For fans of: Lambrini Girls, Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 2, garage rock
