Western music singers and artists you want to listen to in summer: Ranking [2026]

When Doves CryPrince76rank/position

Prince and the Revolution – When Doves Cry (Official Music Video)

A single cut from the 1984 album Purple Rain.

It was Prince’s first major hit, spending five consecutive weeks at number one on the charts and earning platinum status with over two million copies sold.

Despite its memorable riff, it’s experimental in that it repeats the same melody without a traditional chorus.

The breezy, beeping programmed sounds evoke the trends of the ’80s.

Even now, it sounds incredibly stylish—testament to a timeless talent.

Flex (Ooh, Ooh, Ooh)Rich Homie Quan77rank/position

Rich Homie Quan – Flex (Ooh, Ooh, Ooh)

It’s a musically accomplished track that fuses authentic Jamaican reggae with a slightly eerie rhythm.

The music video evokes a fun summer vibe, but the rhythm itself is intricate, as if crafted by a renowned electronica artist.

Plug WalkRich The Kid78rank/position

Rich The Kid – Plug Walk

It’s a 2018 track with a music video that kicks off with a massive UFO invasion, shows him living with mysterious life forms, and features Rich the Kid mixing colorful liquids in a van—truly entertaining.

The story-driven MV feels just like watching a drama or a short film.

As a so-called next-generation rapper on the verge of a global breakout, he’s worth watching not only for his rap, but also for his fashion and the artwork.

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Murakami Shinpei

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Never Gonna Give You UpRick Astley79rank/position

Rick Astley – Never Gonna Give You Up (Official Video) (4K Remaster)

Rick Astley’s timeless hit “Never Gonna Give You Up” became a global sensation.

It’s so famous that most people have probably heard it at least once.

There’s even an Instagram Live filter that re-creates the music video, and many younger people might know the song from that.

Musically, it’s grounded in synth-pop, which was mainstream in the 1980s.

Synth-pop is also trending again in the 2020s.

If you want to explore the latest in synth-pop with a nod to the past, this song is a great place to start.

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Ryo

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Livin’ La Vida LocaRicky Martin80rank/position

Ricky Martin – Livin’ La Vida Loca (Official Video)

A quintessential piece of 1990s Latin music, “Livin’ La Vida Loca.” In Japan, more people might be familiar with Hiromi Go’s cover, “GOLDFINGER ’99.” Incidentally, a literal translation of “Livin’ La Vida Loca” is “crazy life.” The lyrics are also quite different from those of the cover.

In any case, it’s been crafted into a Latin track with blazing vibes, making it a perfect fit for the summer atmosphere, don’t you think?

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yamamoto

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