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