[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] A Must-See for Music Lovers! Up-and-Coming New Artists (21–30)
Love markerPenthouse
Penthouse is a city-soul band formed in 2018 by six men and women who met in a University of Tokyo music club.
They gained attention through wide-ranging activities on YouTube and social media.
Their catchy songs incorporate a variety of musical styles, and their genreless sound is one of their key appeals.
While member Shintaro Namioka, who handles writing and composing the original songs, leads the creative side, each member also maintains a career as a company employee.
Be sure to check out their pop music, which features technical musicianship and soulful vocals.
heavy smokenishina
One young female singer-songwriter drawing attention in 2021 is nishina.
She previously gained experience performing in a band and an acoustic duo, and in 2019 she made waves by providing the vocals for “KISS no tabi Gyutto Gutto,” a track from Enon Kawatani’s solo project.
Step by step, she has built her career, and her appeal lies in a mellow, rounded voice with real depth.
Her lyrics resonate strongly and are easy for many listeners to relate to, and her music spans a wide range—from band-driven sounds to R&B-inspired tracks—making her an artist to watch as we look forward to what she’ll release next.
Free! Free! Free!Takeuchi Anna
A singer-songwriter born in the United States and based in Japan.
Their style, which incorporates slapping on acoustic guitar, pairs beautifully with a clear singing voice.
Shortly after debuting, they performed at major festivals and on tours, including SXSW.
In Japan, “alright” gained traction after being pushed on the radio.
Their sound, which absorbs and strums through various genres, is refined yet brimming with fun.
I hope people searching for stylish music will give it a listen.
Changing seasonsren
More and more artists are breaking out thanks to TikTok, and Ren is one of them.
One reason for his popularity is lyrics that deeply resonate, especially with people of his generation.
He also has many fans who are captivated by his vocal ability and tone.
His must-hear singing skills let him smoothly switch from low notes that make use of his natural voice to high notes in falsetto.
His voice has a distinctive resonance with a hint of huskiness, and plenty of listeners love singers with that kind of tone!
To You at DawnTOMOO
Singer-songwriter TOMOO, who was also selected for Spotify’s playlist showcasing the next breakout artists, “RADAR: Early Noise.” Her music is characterized by a band sound in which she sings while playing the piano, and her rich, resonant lower-mid register over piano rock is particularly captivating.
A skilled artist with a track record that includes starting piano at age six and composing songs since middle school.
Beyond her musicality, the profound worldview of her lyrics is also a major draw, so be sure to listen to her songs while reading the lyrics.
SPOTLIGHTeill
The owner of this rich, lustrous singing voice is singer-songwriter eill.
After performing as part of the unit “plusonica,” she began releasing music under the name eill in 2018.
Even before her major-label debut, she actively wrote songs for other artists, attesting not only to her vocal ability but also to her songwriting talent.
With R&B as her backbone, her tracks are especially recommended for listeners who love cool, female-vocal-driven songs.
fragrant oliveorenji supainikurabu
For a while after the hugely popular singer-songwriter Kenshi Yonezu made his music available on streaming, Spotify’s charts were filled with his songs.
Pushing through to rank near the top among them, however, was Orange Spiny Club’s “Kinmokusei.” Their relaxed, gentle vocals leave a strong impression, and the unpretentious, as-they-are expression gives off a modern vibe that’s very appealing.
On top of that, the beautiful melodic lines that make your heart tighten as you listen are captivating—their knack for well-aimed songwriting is truly excellent!