[2026] A must-see for music lovers! Up-and-coming artists to watch
An era where new artists are emerging one after another at incredible speed.
It’s no longer uncommon for artists to gain traction through social media and then catch fire on streaming services!
In this article, we’ll spotlight rising musicians—primarily up-and-coming singer-songwriters and rock bands who are trending right now.
We’ll feature not only brand-new debuts, but also artists whose hard-earned efforts are finally blossoming and whose popularity is rapidly skyrocketing.
Be sure to find a favorite creator and give them a listen!
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[2026] Must-See for Music Lovers! Emerging Artists to Watch (71–80)
Grapefruit MoonTOMOO
Centered on piano-and-vocal performances, singer-songwriter TOMOO expands a richly emotional musical world.
While rooted in pop and ballads, her distinctive style transcends those boundaries.
She made her major debut in 2019 and drew attention with songs like “Present” and “Awai ni.” She also garnered buzz for crafting the ending theme of the drama “Zenryōiki Ijō Kaiketsushitsu.” Her live shows are highly acclaimed, with the June 2022 performance at LINE CUBE SHIBUYA still fresh in many minds.
At first listen her music may seem subdued, but the undulating rhythms born from her piano playing and her soulful vocals blend to create a one-of-a-kind groove.
Highly recommended for those who want to surrender themselves to the music and feel a gentle, satisfying sway.
Starry NightYuka
Yuka, a singer-songwriter from Okinawa with a charming, softly enveloping voice, first came into the spotlight after winning the Special Jury Prize at an audition hosted by GYAO and Amuse, and releasing the indie track “Fish” in 2021.
She then made her major debut with “lullaby” in 2022, which was immediately selected as a film’s theme song.
In 2023, her song “Hoshizukiyo” gained huge popularity, partly because it was used as a TV drama’s theme song.
Her vocals are gentle in ballads and exude a cool, Western pop-like edge in up-tempo tracks—the more you listen, the more you’ll find yourself drawn into her allure.
STARSw.o.d.
The band w.o.d., riding a wave of momentum after scoring a hit with STARS as the opening theme for the popular anime BLEACH: Thousand-Year Blood War – The Separation, is one to watch.
w.o.d.
stands for “webring odd duckling,” meaning a duck that can’t swim—they supposedly picked cool-sounding words from a dictionary and force-arranged them into a name.
The members are three musicians from Kobe: vocalist/guitarist Takuya Saito, bassist Mackay, and drummer Motoyoshi Nakajima.
If you love unadulterated, high-precision grunge rock, they’re a must-check.
From here onkepura
Kepla is drawing attention with down-to-earth lyrics that resonate with listeners and a driving, high-speed sound.
Formed in September 2020, the four-piece rock band has a youthfully evocative backstory: all members are classmates from Tokyo Metropolitan Saginomiya High School.
They made their debut in July 2021 with the mini-album “Days of Youth,” achieving a remarkable milestone as its tracks surpassed 100,000 views on YouTube.
In September 2024, they made their major-label debut with EMI Records, fully blooming with the skills they honed during their indie days.
Another appeal is their fan-centered approach: the members themselves handle merch and jacket design, keeping a close connection with their audience.
Their songs, which feel like snapshots of fleeting moments of youth, feature fresh sensibilities and lyrics that evoke real empathy, steadily growing their fanbase—especially among younger listeners.
Because I like you.Yuika
Yuika, whose signature song “Suki Dakara” broke out thanks to TikTok.
Many of you may have come across her not only on TikTok, but also by chance on Spotify playlists or in YouTube’s recommended section.
Her soft, approachable vocals are captivating and soothing to listen to.
She also shines with a gift for lyric writing that resonates powerfully, especially with younger listeners.
She’s a rising artist to watch, likely to keep releasing songs that continue to gain popularity.
Super StarFurui Riho
Singer-songwriter Furui Riho, from Otaru, Hokkaido.
She became interested in music after seeing a gospel live performance as a child, and began her full-scale music career in her first year of university.
In 2019, she released her debut single digitally; word of mouth spread, and she is now known as a standout artist of the new generation.
Once you listen, you’ll be hooked by her one-of-a-kind, emotionally charged word choices and infectious sense of rhythm.
She also writes songs for other artists, so keep an eye on that side of her work as well.
Sweet RainWOLF HOWL HARMONY
The audition “iCON Z ~Dreams For Children~” was held by LDH, and WOLF HOWL HARMONY is the vocal and rap group formed from its participants.
The group’s name was chosen because it’s made up of members who are like wolves howling.
Their appeal lies in their stylish style that fuses singing and rap into one.
Give them a listen and see for yourself.