[2026] Popular British Artists: Recommended Singer-Songwriters

A Place Called HomePJ Harvey

PJ Harvey – A Place Called Home

Unfortunately, here in Japan, people who know PJ Harvey’s name or music are mostly those well-versed in Western music or dedicated fans of alternative rock since the ’90s.

When her first Japan tour in 22 years finally happened in January 2017, her name trended on social media and in music media, so some people may have come across it in passing.

PJ Harvey debuted in 1991 with an indie single, and her first album, Dry—considered groundbreaking for a female artist at the time for its candid lyrics and provocative style—drew attention when Nirvana’s Kurt Cobain cited it among his favorite albums.

Since then, even as she has shifted her musical approach—whether it’s the raw, parched rock of her early years, her flirtations with trip-hop, straightforward pop, or a piano-led album—everything coheres unmistakably as PJ Harvey’s music, which is remarkable.

She is, in the truest sense, an alternative artist.

I recommend starting with Stories from the City, Stories from the Sea (2000), which weaves in accessible melodies and was also a commercial success.

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Let You Love MeRita Ora

Rita Ora – Let You Love Me [Official Video]

Born in Yugoslavia and raised in London, Rita Ora is one of the quintessential female artists who debuted in the 2010s.

As of 2021, she has released only two albums—the debut Ora, which topped the UK charts, and 2018’s Phoenix—but with her expansive vocals and knack for pop melodies, she has produced numerous hits across danceable R&B and pop.

In February 2021, she released the EP Bang, which includes a collaboration with Kazakhstan-born DJ Imanbek.

Reflecting the pandemic era while showcasing new facets of her now-in-her-thirties artistry, the record highlights her evolving appeal.

Beyond her talents as a singer-songwriter, Rita is also in high demand as a fashion leader—collaborating with global fashion brands, working as a model, and hosting television programs—thriving across a wide range of fields.

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Be Honest feat. Burna BoyJorja Smith

Jorja Smith – Be Honest (feat. Burna Boy)

From the mid to late 2010s, a wave of talented young singer-songwriters born in the 1990s made their debuts, and Jorja Smith, born in 1997, is very much one of those standout figures.

Her debut single “Blue Lights,” released in 2016 when she was just 19, generated buzz not only in her native UK but also among keen-eared R&B fans in Japan.

That same year, she placed fourth in the popular “BBC Music Sound of 2017,” which spotlights the most promising new artists.

Her languid, beautiful voice carries a timeless allure that transcends eras, and combined with her refined beauty, her presence stood out even before her album debut.

Released in 2018, the album Lost & Found is a beautiful work rooted in contemporary R&B while reflecting influences from jazz and hip-hop, delivering a cool, smoky sound born of the streets.

There’s no doubt she’ll continue to be an artist expected to lead the UK music scene as a young singer-songwriter.

Highly recommended even for those who typically listen to rock or pop!

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The ChangingmanPaul Weller

Paul Weller – The Changingman (Official Video)

When it comes to Paul Weller, he’s an iconic figure in British rock who began his career in the ’70s, defined an era with bands like The Jam and The Style Council, and has continued to be revered as an elder statesman of the scene even after going solo.

It’s not long ago that he reminded us of his enduring vitality when his 2020 album On Sunset topped the UK charts at No.

1.

You could say Weller’s journey is itself a chapter in the history of British rock, and he’s a rare artist respected not only by ’90s bands like Oasis and Ocean Colour Scene but also by bands that emerged in the 2000s and beyond.

His musical style—both in his band days and as a solo artist—has embraced a range of experiments; grounded in rock, it’s marked by a sincere love for Black music such as soul and jazz, continually delivering a sound that lets you savor the very essence of British rock.

If you’re exploring Weller’s solo work, you might start with albums that signaled his full-fledged comeback in the ’90s, such as 1995’s Stanley Road or 1997’s Heavy Soul.

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Another LoveTom Odell

Tom Odell – Another Love (Official Video)

Among the young singer-songwriters to emerge from the UK, Tom Odell stands out as a particularly brilliant talent with his piano-led ballads.

Born in 1990, Odell released his debut EP, “Songs from Another Love,” in 2012.

The following year, he swiftly captured attention, winning the BRITs Critics’ Choice Award and topping the UK charts with his debut album, “Long Way Down.” His songs, which explore themes of heartache and the pains of love, have been featured in numerous fashion shows, TV series, and films, resonating with a wide audience.

Spanning genres from pop rock to alternative, his musical versatility is sure to offer a fresh appeal to fans of Japanese music as well.