[2026] Great for drives too! A roundup of the latest stylish Western music

chrysalisL’impératrice

L’Impératrice, Louve — chrysalis [Audio Video]

As a leading figure in French disco based in Paris, L’Impératrice has long captivated listeners with exquisite sounds rooted in the golden era of the ’70s and ’80s.

In 2024, vocalist Flore Benguigui departed, and the band welcomed Maud Ferron.

This milestone track, created under the new lineup, was released in October 2025.

Its title means “chrysalis,” and the image of awakening—breaking out of the shell to take flight—runs throughout the piece.

The fusion of a theme symbolizing the band’s rebirth and transformation with a characteristically nu-disco, groovy track makes it a fitting opening to a new chapter.

Starting in November, the band will embark on its first-ever Asia tour, so if you’re into French pop, be sure to check them out.

All Over MeYukimi

Yukimi – ‘All Over Me’ (Official Audio)

Yukimi Nagano, who has long been active as the vocalist of Swedish electronic music band Little Dragon.

With a Japanese father and a Swedish-American mother, she has pursued her work with the Grammy-nominated band while releasing her solo album “For You” in March 2025.

She is also set to release the EP “Yume” in November, and this track is the lead single from that EP.

Depicting an irrepressible longing for love, the song traverses a wide range of genres—jazz, soul, electronic pop, and psychedelia—capturing the sensation of surrendering to a passionate dream.

Its floating, dreamy soundscapes and rich vocal expression create a world that makes it easy to imagine emotions wavering between romance and reverie.

It’s a perfect track for a relaxing night or for moments when you want to look inward.

ItsumoMei Semones

Mei Semones – Itsumo (Official Visualizer)

Singer-songwriter Mei Simones has been drawing attention for her distinctive sound that fuses jazz and bossa nova with indie pop through highly sophisticated techniques.

The track released in September 2025 is a special piece that was originally included only on the Japanese edition of her debut album “Animaru,” released in May 2025.

The breathtaking sound—featuring a virtuosic jazz guitar solo, rhythms reminiscent of Brazilian music, and an elegant string ensemble—is simply stunning.

Switching between Japanese and English, the song pulls you into a world where delicacy and passion coexist.

If you want to enjoy both technical musicianship and melodies that speak to the heart, this is a must-listen.

So Easy (To Fall In Love)Olivia Dean

Olivia Dean – So Easy (To Fall In Love)

Olivia Dean, a graduate of the prestigious BRIT School that produced artists like Amy Winehouse, is attracting major attention in the UK.

With Jamaican roots, her musical foundation lies in neo-soul and R&B.

Her debut album Messy was nominated for the Mercury Prize in June 2023.

From her second album, The Art of Loving, I’d like to introduce a track that embodies the album’s worldview.

The record delicately captures the coexistence of the exhilaration of falling in love and the reassurance of finding someone to share your life with.

Its light, comfortable pop sound melds with her soulful vocals, resulting in a highly refined song.

It’s the kind of music that can make an ordinary day feel a little special—be sure to check it out.

MS. PAC MANSudan Archives

Sudan Archives – MS. PAC MAN (Official Music Video)

This is a track by Sudan Archives, a U.S.-born musician, where nostalgically familiar game sounds and Y2K vibes are brilliantly fused.

With its electropop beat and synth tones, many listeners will likely find their bodies moving before they know it.

In this work, the image of pushing through the labyrinth of fame is superimposed onto a game protagonist who powers up to overcome obstacles.

The playful backstory—born from studio improvisation—is uniquely charming as well.

The song will be unveiled in August 2025 and included on the album “THE BPM,” releasing that October.

Its lead single has even been used in a Chanel show, underscoring the buzz around it.

It’s the perfect track for when you want an energetic beat to lift your mood or to treat challenges like a game and power through them!

REMIND MEChase Atlantic

Chase Atlantic – REMIND ME (Official Lyric Video)

Chase Atlantic, an Australian trio that blends alternative R&B and dark pop, has gained worldwide popularity.

In September 2025, they released this piece.

It’s a sentimental number that evokes unforgettable memories etched into a late summer night.

The sound—combining airy synths with a shimmering trap beat—showcases their uniquely genre-defying appeal.

Within its dreamy yet somewhat wistful mood, the vocals stir a deep nostalgia for times gone by.

This release follows their November 2024 album, “Lost in Heaven,” and is a perfect pick for those who find ordinary pop unsatisfying and want to spend the night with moody, atmospheric music.

Not Sorry (ft. Jill Scott & Rapsody)MOON CHILD

Moonchild – Not Sorry ft. Jill Scott & Rapsody (Official Music Video)

Moonchild is a neo-soul trio with a background from a prestigious jazz school, and their sophisticated sound has earned high praise from R&B aficionados around the world.

Their collaboration with soul legend Jill Scott and lyricist Rapsody may well be this track released in September 2025.

It’s a liberating anthem that rejects existing only for someone else and declares one’s own strength.

Over Moonchild’s characteristically warm and luxurious sound, the three distinct voices blend beautifully.

It’s their first single since the Grammy-nominated 2022 album “Starfruit,” signaling the dawn of a new chapter.

On nights when you feel bound by something, it will quietly give you strength.