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

AprilRose Gray

Rose Gray – April (Official Visualiser)

Singer-songwriter Rose Gray, rooted in East London’s club culture and acclaimed for her January 2025 debut album Louder, Please, has been drawing growing attention—winning MTV Push UK and IRE 2025 in February.

The work she’s unveiled from the long-awaited deluxe edition, A Little Louder, Please, is this track.

It’s an exhilarating slice of dance-pop that captures the sense of liberation sparked by encounters on the dance floor and the joy of living in the moment.

Wrapped in the glittering aura of 2010s nightclubs, the sound is a superb piece that naturally moves both heart and body.

A perfect choice for boosting your mood or sinking into a weekend night.

Children of the Baked Potato (feat. Remi Wolf)Thundercat

Thundercat – ‘Children of the Baked Potato (feat. Remi Wolf)’

Known as a virtuoso bassist, Thundercat won a Grammy in 2021 for his album “It Is What It Is.” The track he released in September 2025 features LA-born singer Remi Wolf.

It unfolds a supreme funk sound where a dynamic beat built on polyrhythms intertwines with a technically dazzling yet playful bassline.

The song pays homage to a long-standing jazz club in LA, and it’s fascinating that the two artists’ musical roots intersect in its backstory.

It also drew major attention when the promo video was shown across 42 outdoor screens in Shibuya.

I Wish I Didn’t Waste Your TimeThundercat

Thundercat – ‘I Wish I Didn’t Waste Your Time’

Thundercat, the musician who wields a virtuosic six-string bass and moves effortlessly between jazz and soul.

After winning a Grammy in 2021 for his album It Is What It Is, he’s finally dropped a long-awaited solo track.

Released in September 2025, this song centers on a bittersweet, beautiful sentiment: regret over having “wasted” time with a former lover.

His signature blend of flowing bass lines and sweet falsetto remains intact, melding with dreamy synths.

This time, producer Greg Kurstin is on board, crafting an intimate yet richly layered sound.

It’s a track that’s perfect for a solitary night when you want to sink into a sentimental mood.

Countryside (ft. Eva Tolkin, Liam Benzvi, Ian Isiah)Blood Orange

Blood Orange – Countryside (Audio) ft. Eva Tolkin, Liam Benzvi, Ian Isiah

Blood Orange is the project of Devonté Hynes, an artist who moves fluidly across genres from singer-songwriter to filmmaker.

The work he released in August 2025 features an enchanting, dreamlike sound woven from airy synths and gentle guitars.

It poetically portrays a sense of nostalgia and longing—gazing out the window and thinking of someone far away.

The scene of a fog-laden city quietly beginning to breathe seems to invite listeners into an introspective world.

This track appears on Essex Honey, his first album in six years, and suggests a larger narrative of returning to his roots and finding healing.

It’s a perfect listen for nights when you want to forget the city’s clamor and sink into contemplation.

FACEDOWNChase Atlantic

Chase Atlantic – FACEDOWN (Official Lyric Video)

Chase Atlantic, the Australian trio fusing alternative R&B with rock and trap, are drawing attention with their distinctive dark aesthetic.

Openly influenced by The Weeknd and The 1975, they released a new single in August 2025.

Intertwining dreamy, weightless melodies with hypnotic beats, the sound feels quintessentially them.

This work vividly portrays struggles with mental health and an inner turmoil like drowning in a bottomless pool, striking deeply at the listener’s heart.

Overcoming the hardship of losing their production data, they completed the acclaimed masterpiece LOST IN HEAVEN; this new release further deepens that world, making it a perfect listen for late-night solitude and contemplation.

in plain sightKhalid

Khalid – in plain sight (Official Video)

Since earning wide acclaim with his debut album, American Teen, singer-songwriter Khalid has been at the forefront of the R&B scene.

He has now released the lead track from his upcoming album, After the Sun Goes Down, slated for October 2025.

Marking a departure from his previous chill sound, this new work is an exhilarating dance-pop track, shimmering with synths that evoke ’80s disco.

In contrast to its lyrics about breaking away from betrayal, the sound feels boundlessly liberating—an intriguing juxtaposition.

It’s a powerful statement of self-liberation from an artist who, in November 2024, shared his true self with fans.

This is a track that can give you courage when you want to shake off the past and take a step forward.

Love is Like (ft. Lil Wayne)Maroon 5

Maroon 5 – Love is Like ft. Lil Wayne (Official Video)

Maroon 5, a band boasting worldwide popularity for their groovy sound, return with a track from Love Is Like—their first album in about four years since the 2021 masterpiece Jordi—featuring rapper Lil Wayne.

The song draws you into a provocative lyrical world that likens love’s irresistible allure to a drug.

Its funky beat, sampling Valerie Simpson’s classic, and the warm, organic instrumentation make it a perfect fit for a drive.

This marks their fourth collaboration with Lil Wayne, showcasing their strong chemistry.

Set for release in August 2025, it’s a track that highlights a fresh side of the band.