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

SPACE INVADERKAYTRANADA

KAYTRANADA – SPACE INVADER (Official Audio)

This track was produced by Canadian producer Kaytranada, who won two major categories at the 2021 Grammys.

Released in August 2025, it was created as a lead single from the album “Ain’t No Damn Way!” Its retro beat reminiscent of 80s dance music pairs perfectly with synth tones that feel like a journey through space.

The repeated phrase, “Sometimes I just want to run away somewhere,” seems to capture the protagonist’s earnest desire to break free from the constraints of everyday life.

It’s the perfect BGM when you want a change of pace or to immerse yourself in something.

StormNight Tapes

Night Tapes – Storm (Official Video)

This track comes from Night Tapes, a London-based trio who craft music out of late-night improvisational sessions.

The floating synths, dreamy guitars, and whisper-like vocals weave a sound that feels like an invitation to a beautiful, electronic meditation.

The song brilliantly captures, in sound, the opposing emotions of chaos and stillness that exist within the heart.

There’s also a great anecdote: vocalist Iiris says she wrote it “in an instant, like a sneeze,” which underscores its impulsive allure.

It’s the lead single from their debut album, “portals//polarities,” due in September 2025, and it’s perfect for sinking into a quiet night and immersing yourself in its sonic world.

Lover GirlLaufey

Laufey – Lover Girl (Official Music Video)

Laufey, a singer-songwriter from Iceland who performed with the Iceland Symphony Orchestra at the age of 15.

Gracefully navigating between classical and jazz, she released this work in June 2025—a jazz-pop song that portrays a growing longing for a faraway lover.

By setting the loneliness of being unable to meet to a light, bossa nova–inspired rhythm, the expression paradoxically highlights the heart’s concealed ache—masterfully so.

The track comes from her third album, A Matter of Time, following the acclaimed Bewitched, which won the 66th Grammy Awards.

In July 2025, a music video filmed during her visit to Japan was also released, and the song is currently generating major buzz.

Dream NightJamie xx

Jamie xx – Dream Night (Visualiser)

This track by British music producer Jamie xx unfolds with dreamy synths that slowly expand.

He’s also known as a member of the popular band The xx.

The blend of wistful vocal samples and a steadily rising beat feels like the frenzy of the dance floor and the stillness before dawn existing side by side.

It’s said to be inspired by memories of “beautiful yet feverish nights” from the tour following his 2024 release In Waves, his first album in nine years.

You can sink into a bittersweet yet warm afterglow filled with affection for a night that has passed.

It’s a perfect song for reflecting at the end of the day or listening to while feeling the summer night breeze.

place of my ownPurity Ring

purity ring – place of my own (official music video)

Have you ever found yourself suddenly dreaming of a sanctuary where no one can disturb you? This track by Canadian electro-pop duo Purity Ring transforms that longing into a euphoric trance anthem.

The shimmering, dreamlike synths—fitting for a song said to have been born in the misty forests of the mountains—create a floating sensation, as if you’re drifting through the clouds.

The earnest desire to seek a personal sanctum and release your heart into the beauty of nature gently invites listeners into a kinder world.

The song comes from their fourth album, Purity Ring, set for release in September 2025.

When you want to step away from the bustle of the city and quietly sink into your thoughts alone, it’s sure to stay close by your side.

Starlight (ft. PinkPantheress)Danny L Harle

Danny L Harle – Starlight (ft. PinkPantheress)

This is a collaboration between London-based producer Danny L Harle and PinkPantheress, who is known for topping the BBC Sound of 2022.

For Danny L Harle—whose work with Caroline Polachek earned a Grammy nomination—this eagerly awaited track is his first since his 2021 album Harlecore.

Its shimmering sound evokes ’90s Eurodance, melding with PinkPantheress’s wistful vocals to create a distinctive atmosphere described as “ecstatic melancholy.” The lyrics, which portray a sweet yet frustrating longing akin to yearning for the light of a distant star, are likely to resonate with many listeners.

It’s perfect for moments spent gazing at the night sky or when you want to sink into a sentimental mood alone.

Let yourself be carried away by the sweeping waves of synthesizers.

Victory Lap TwoFred again.., Skepta, PlaqueBoyMax & Denzel Curry

Victory Lap Five

This is a star-studded track by two of London’s finest talents, Fred again..

and Skepta, joined by PlaqueBoyMax from the American streaming scene.

Fred again.., known as a Grammy-winning producer, delivers his signature emotional sound, interwoven perfectly with the heavyweight grime presence of Skepta and the energetic flow of a new-generation rapper.

It’s packed with positive energy—like a victory declaration—that celebrates the journey so far while aiming even higher.

Released in July as Part 2 of a track that dropped in June 2025, this version boasts an even more luxurious lineup with Denzel Curry added as a guest!