[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!

Playlist

[2026] A must-see for music lovers! Up-and-coming artists to watch
	Title	Playlist	Review
1	BUTTERFLYReiko		Singer debut from the SKY-HI audition
2	Oni BanquetTomonari Sora		A multi-talented singer-songwriter, Sora
3	Tokyo JourneyMONONOKE		The music of MONONOKE is on fire!
4	FriendsFurui Riho		A singer from a gospel background with a warm singing voice
5	cheerMarushii		A rock band from Fukuoka that paints emotions, known for its deep lyrics
6	Goodbyes at midnightgarari		Garari draws attention with their unique music.
7	Make up your mind!Sabasusutā		Sabasister, a rising new band in J-rock
8	Crush CoreTyrkouaz		A twin band that reinterprets video game music
9	The whereabouts of my beloved.bokula.		From Hiroshima, the heart-stirring rock band bokula.
10	PhostepYurika		Featured singer Yurika, a voice that resonates with the heart
11	SugarShimizu Miisa		Miesa Shimizu draws attention with her Disney songs
12	pupaTomei		Tomei, a breakout newcomer singer drawing attention for a movie theme song
13	Love Before Dawnmekakushe		The striking new star mekakushe’s musical life
14	24/7 YOU…LANA		A female rapper who excels at Jersey club drills
15	omnidirectional beautynozomi		The music of multi-artist Noshime is popular.
16	Glyn Greenredrikon densetsu		A pop music band by Ayumu Matsuda and Jun Beppu
17	Transposetota		a young musician of contemporary bedroom pop
18	rendezvousshaitoopu		Shytoupe, a rising rock band from Kansai
19	escaperjo0ji		The musical activities of fisherman jo0ji from Tottori that come from his heart
20	Planet of Love ‘You’Tomioka Ai		A popular singer on TikTok, known for their clear, translucent vocals, is gaining attention.
21	words of blessingTele		Tele, a catchy and profound artist
22	Changing seasonsren		Popular on TikTok, captivating with relatable lyrics and strong vocals.
23	heavy smokenishina		Nishina: deep vocals and relatable lyrics
24	Great Tokyo ExpoTempalay		Tempalay is a high-sense (stylish) rock band.
25	Love markerPenthouse		Penthouse, a city soul band originating from the University of Tokyo
26	To You at DawnTOMOO		Piano-rock charmer TOMOO draws attention with her songs
27	Free! Free! Free!Takeuchi Anna		A musician from the United States with a unique style
28	Don’t get my hopes up.maharājiyan		A musician in a suit and turban, one to watch
29	SPOTLIGHTeill		The appeal of eill, a female R&B artist
30	How to Love AfterimagesTele		Tele, who is taking the music scene by storm with literary lyrics
31	GOLDPEOPLE 1		PEOPLE 1, a wide range of genres, deep into the music rabbit hole
32	fragrant oliveorenji supainikurabu		A heart-touching song by ORANGE SPINY CLUB
33	playing dumb; feigning ignorance; acting like you don’t knowTETORA		A girls' band from Osaka known for its compelling, down-to-earth lyrics.
34	mutualHakubi		Hakubi, a sharp rock band from Kyoto that pierces the heart
35	my lifemiyuna		Miyuna, a skilled singer with a husky voice
36	Tightly.mosao.		Popular on TikTok, a soothing/healing-type artist
37	earth mealasmi		asmi rises as a popular singer
38	it takes twoego apratment		Bassist Dyna, and on guitar and vocals...
39	spin; weave; compose (e.g., a story)tota		The rise of indie rock-style bedroom artists
40	VividMAZZEL		SKY-HI’s boy group MAZZEL debuts
41	To tell you the truth,yangusukinii		A new-generation rock band rising in popularity through social media outreach
42	What Do You Want?Rei		A rhythmic Western-style singer-songwriter
43	Youth Fantasy PoemHakanasono		The Music and Allure of Hakanen, Singing of Youth’s Ephemerality
44	A song about being cheated on but still in love.riria.		A bittersweet love song written by a teenager is making waves.
45	Nagisaimase		imase's new song 'Nagisa' is popular.
46	it’s not that (…); it doesn’t mean (that …)maruri to ryūga		Lyrics by Ryuga from the popular male-female duo on Instagram
47	RippleAo		A 15-year-old singer-songwriter, talent in full bloom
48	Dinner Songtuki.		The music of tuki., active on the internet
49	Because I like you.Yuika		YUIKA, a soothing singer popular on TikTok
50	Riding in a Time Machineneguse.		Neguse is a four-member band from Nagoya.
51	Sentimental☆Lucky Girlshallm		Lia’s band Shallm is making waves with a drama theme song.
52	Youth Changing RoomKarin.		Gaining empathy with youthful struggles and a distinctive singing voice
53	love hangover7co		7co is a new-sensation music act that fuses R&B and hip-hop.
54	Who is he?zaki no suke.		Zakinousuke, a rookie artist drawing attention with popular songs
55	Talking Box (Dirty Pop Remix)WurtS		WurtS becomes a popular internet-born solo artist.
56	I love you!Cody Rī (Ri)		A band that plays music across diverse genres
57	duri-dadeChilli Beans.		Young female band Chilli Beans. with outstanding musicality
58	My Mr.RightDoul		The versatility and musicality of the prominent young artist Doul
59	hellsong. (let it in)CVLTE		CVLTE is an alternative rock band from Sapporo.
60	FLOOR IS MINE (feat. BIM)Skaai		Popular for multilingual mixed rap, with an international background
61	Tokyo cruisin’tonun		The groovy music by tonun feels pleasant.
62	A world without youto shiki		Toshiki, popular on social media, draws attention with songs that evoke empathy.
63	flower hat jellyfishKujira Yoru no Machi		A band gaining attention in fantasy music
64	Yellow ToyAooo		The creative music of the diverse four-piece group Aoo
65	backlightBILLY BOO		Black music from Sendai, a unique sound
66	Crazy LoveXY		XY is a boys group produced by YOSHIKI.
67	Mr./Ms. Despairmei-chan		Mei-chan, a multi-talented singer YouTuber
68	25eill		eill delivers moving performances with her translucent singing voice
69	white mageshallm		The bittersweet music of hope that shallm releases
70	ORDERCLAN QUEEN		CLAN QUEEN leads a new generation of creative neo-rock.
71	The 1muque		The music of muque, a four-member band from Fukuoka
72	Starry NightYuka		Yuka from Okinawa is popular for her gentle singing voice.
73	Wish to the Moonsorato		Sorato from Nagasaki to make major debut in 2025
74	From here onkepura		Kepla is a rock band full of youthful vibes.
75	Super StarFurui Riho		An emotional next-generation artist from Otaru
76	Sweet RainWOLF HOWL HARMONY		A vocal and rap group with wolf-like howls
77	Breathe in, breathe in here, keep on living.yui nishio		A gentle singing voice, a singer-songwriter in the spotlight
78	bright futureMom		Mom, a featured artist on Mac’s track
79	I knowammo		The appeal of ammo, a three-piece band from Higashi-Osaka
80	sentimentalyutori		Yutori launches full-scale activities in response to the buzz
81	stoppage timeNoda Megumi		Emi Noda, a singer-songwriter with outstanding vocal ability
82	CANDYICEx		A teen music unit born from EBiDAN
83	HEROSHACHI		The Appeal of Hip-Hop Female Rapper SHACHI
84	on the wayGusokumuzu		Gusokumuzu is popular for their youth-themed music.
85	Got me goodSuzuki Emiko		The accomplishments of gospel singer Emiko Suzuki
86	funny storyEishu		Eishu, who’s gaining attention for his solo acoustic performance videos, has begun his music career.
87	Grapefruit MoonTOMOO		Singer-songwriter TOMOO, with piano and a unique musical style
88	weeping cherry (blossom)ANNA		A high school singer’s beautiful singing voice and self-accompanied performance video
89	Sentimental KissShio Reira		Reira Shio, a rising new artist gaining attention for her unique music
90	D♡VE QUEENSARM		Jazz-oriented female artist SARM makes a major breakthrough
91	PolaroidShin-Tōkyō		New Tokyo with enchanting tones, thriving under self-governance
92	Shake itYahagi Moeka		Moeka Yahagi, a solo artist shining with musical talent
93	Duckykankan		Mr./Ms. Kankan, a mysterious singer, is popular.
94	See you againMOL.		Kyoto-born band mol-74 with a delicate musicality
95	traditionCHO CO PA CO CHO CO QUIN QUIN		A unique band gaining attention with tropical music
96	ObsessedAyumu Imazu		While rooted in R&B and pop, dance…
97	Call (Blur)UNICODE		Japanese K-pop group UNICODE
98	Afraid?? feat. nothing,nowhere. (Prod. Saint Patrick)(sic)boy		Music that fuses rock and hip-hop
99	SSMEPK shampoo		A noisy, captivating rock band on the rise
100	STARSw.o.d.		The band w.o.d., known for a BLEACH theme song, grunge rock
101	Summer breeze, you and I in lovekatakoto		A skilled middle school rock band born in 2000
102	Summer BloomRyukku to soine gohan		The classic rock of Ryuuku captivates the youth.
103	Jettin’THE JET BOY BANGERZ		A rising star band captivating Generation Z with their music
104	CARRY LOOSECARRY LOOSE		Four-member idol performance group CARRY LOOSE
105	This is fine.KALMA		A three-piece band from Hokkaido brimming with youthful energy
106	Don’t die!kocchi no kento		Kento Sugo, who performs music under the name “Kento.”
107	Only a single voicerokudenashi		Carrot the good-for-nothing, a singer gaining attention on social media
108	I want to be lovedYumcha		A talented singer-songwriter who sings about love
109	Let’s keep smilingkawanishi natsuki		A singer from Nara known for their captivating mid-to-low vocal range
110	Summer IllusionOmoinotake		Omoinotake, a three-piece band from Shimane
111	medicineLeina		A 19-year-old singer from Machida who expresses emotions through self-written, self-performed music
112	Pull UpLitty		Music by popular female rapper Litty is making waves
113	PAPER MOONA-ko		A singer-songwriter gaining attention for their unique music
114	Diveziproom		ziproom is drawing attention with their distinctive sound
115	Last live showBurandē Senki		A rock band from Osaka gaining attention for its unique sound
116	Unbalance Blendretororiron		A band of music school graduates is gaining attention for its unique sound.
117	Double Double FIGHT!CANDY TUNE		The idol group CANDY TUNE, popular on social media
118	proof of existenceKID PHENOMENON		KID PHENOMENON’s youth and talent are drawing attention
119	HunterLIL LEAGUE		A dance-vocal unit born from the LDH audition makes its debut.
120	Purple SkyNOA		From a YG trainee to a major debut in Japan
121	SCREAMWENDY		WENDY is a rock band from Setagaya.
122	300 yenotonari ni ginga keikaku		A four-member band from Nagoya is active.
123	Baby youyuka		Moved by the music through Yuka’s poppy singing voice
124	Selfish girlfriendAkiyama Ritsuki		Ritsuki Akiyama draws attention at the Mikakunin Festival
125	GREENAPPLE4na		Singer-songwriter originating from the internet
126	Your Dreamland4s4ki		The appeal of 4s4ki, known for her diverse music
127	Wonderlandkyururin tte shite mite		A next-generation idol group for the social media era—one to watch!
128	With you, on Earth8		Mr. 8, popular on TikTok, draws attention with relatable lyrics.
129	Suzunari Memoriesthe molars’		The Appeal of Hiroshima Punk Band the 奥歯’s
130	Parting Flowersurii		Suri, a versatile Vocaloid producer active on multiple fronts
131	DropHANA		New diversity-focused idol group HANA is thriving
132	In Love with the Mirrorraisan		A band garnering attention for its distinctive music and praise
133	Inner LightsThe Songbards		A band formed in 1994 is attracting attention.
134	HAPPY HUMANTiU		The rise and appeal of the newcomer musician TiU
135	Santa, Santa, SantaKashiwagi Hinata		Hinata Kashiwagi, a talent of the new era in music
136	Someday, when I become a momtakane no nadeshiko		A rookie music group that made its major debut in the blink of an eye
137	Who am Ai？【Ai Higuchi Introductory video】Higuchi Ai		Higuchi Ai, a singer who accompanies herself on the keyboard, songs that resonate with the heart
138	OrionTetsukaze Tōkyō		Tetsukaze Tokyo goes viral with relaxed vocals