[2026] A Guide to Bossa Nova: From Classic Standards to the Latest Hits!

Lover GirlNEW!Laufey

Laufey – Lover Girl (Official Music Video)

Icelandic singer-songwriter Laufey, who captivates audiences worldwide with her unique style that fuses jazz and classical music, remains fresh in our minds for her 2024 Grammy win.

This work, which also incorporates a bossa nova rhythm, overflows with sophisticated, mature charm.

It portrays the aching emotions of longing for someone dear who has grown distant, and its beautiful strings and piano melodies resonate deeply.

Released in June of the same year ahead of the album “A Matter of Time,” which came out in August 2025, this number also drew major attention for its music video shot in Japan.

Crafted by Petty Cash Production, the gentle sound will be the perfect companion for quiet nights spent alone.

When you want to feel a soothing, subtle sway, be sure to give it a listen.

Once I LovedNEW!Astrud Gilberto

Once I Loved

Let me introduce an English cover of a classic composed by one of the founders of bossa nova, Antônio Carlos Jobim, with original lyrics by Vinícius de Moraes.

The bittersweet lyrics, quietly reflecting on a past romance, interweave with Astrud Gilberto’s crystal-clear vocals to create a beauty that is truly heart-wrenching.

Opening her 1965 solo debut, The Astrud Gilberto Album, this track is also known for its use in the 2007 film Juno, and is regarded as a timeless standard beloved across generations.

Why not give it a listen on a quiet night when you want to be alone with your thoughts, or when you wish to spend a peaceful, soothing moment?

I Took The LNEW!John Roseboro

I Took The L – John Roseboro (Official Music Video)

Singer-songwriter Jon Roseboro, who champions his own “post-bossa” style and is active in Brooklyn.

With a background that includes working in the funeral industry and living among the Amish, his music is defined by a butter-smooth vocal delivery.

This work is a gem that blends the gentle rhythms of bossa nova with an indie-folk sensibility.

The lyrics reference New York subway lines and place names, capturing the real emotions of city life.

Released as a single in October 2022, it was later included on the April 2023 album “Johnny.” The gentle guitar tones are soothing, making it perfect for a relaxing weekend afternoon or a quiet night.

Highly recommended for those who want to enjoy contemporary bossa nova.

Orange-coloured dayNEW!liana flores

liana flores – Orange-coloured day (visualizer)

Liana Flores, a London-born singer-songwriter with British and Brazilian roots, is an artist who has gained worldwide attention after breaking out on social media.

The track I’m introducing today, “Orange-coloured day,” appears on her much-anticipated debut album, “Flower of the soul,” released in June 2024.

While exploring themes of reverence for nature and transience, it features a breezy sound that blends the comfortable rhythms of ’60s jazz and bossa nova.

Produced by Noah Georgeson, the album also boasts beautiful chamber music-style string arrangements, evoking a sound that feels both nostalgic and fresh.

It’s a perfect example of next-generation bossa nova pop—ideal for relaxing on a sunny weekend afternoon.

brigadeiro (the bing bong song)NEW!gabi belle

brigadeiro (the bing bong song) – gabi belle (OFFICIAL VIDEO)

Have you heard of brigadeiro, a quintessential Brazilian sweet? The singer of this work named after that dessert is Gabi Belle, a Boston native with Brazilian roots.

Alongside her music career, she’s also an extremely popular YouTuber, and in June 2024 her channel surpassed one million subscribers—a truly multi-talented creator.

Released in December 2024, this track is a bossa nova–style pop number distinguished by its refrain of “bing bong.” Its sound, reminiscent of nostalgic video game music, pairs perfectly with Gabi Belle’s cute vocals, creating an addictive quality that makes you want to hum along.

Its catchy finish, infused with the sensibilities of the internet generation, makes it highly recommended for anyone curious about the new wave of pop music!

le feu.NEW!aupinard

aupinard – le feu.

Have you heard of this new generation talent emerging from France? Opinal is a singer whose appeal lies in a style that fuses delicate bossa nova guitar with R&B rhythms.

Contrary to the “fire” in the title, this work doesn’t depict a blazing passion, but rather a relationship quietly fading away.

Its gentle fingerpicking and restrained vocals calmly convey the futility of parting, and it’s truly moving.

Included on the mixtape “pluie, montagnes et soleil,” released in January 2025, it also preceded a successful show at Paris’s prestigious Olympia in February, and the momentum shows no signs of stopping.

It’s an irresistible track for anyone who wants to sink into a melancholic mood on a quiet night or just after the rain.

Dumb FeelingNEW!Mei Semones

Mei Semones – Dumb Feeling (Official Video)

Mei Shimones, a Berklee College of Music graduate now based in Brooklyn, New York, has been drawing attention for her style of folding jazz and bossa nova into indie pop.

The piece featured at the beginning of her album “Animaru,” released in May 2025, is this very track.

Its sound—an effortless blend of breezy bossa nova grooves and indie rock textures—feels wonderfully comfortable.

It’s also lovely how she delicately conveys complex emotions that are hard to put into words through intricate ensemble work and lyrics that mix in Japanese.

Issued earlier as a lead single in February 2025, this song balances urban sophistication with an inviting warmth, making it perfect for a relaxing afternoon or a companion on a leisurely walk.