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

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.

RushmereMumford & Sons

Mumford & Sons – Rushmere

It’s a song with a fantastical and profound worldview.

Scheduled for release in March 2025, it’s the title track of Mumford & Sons’ new album—their first new work in about seven years.

Hailing from the UK, the trio created this record as a three-piece for the first time, portraying memories of the past, self-discovery, and the hardships of life along with its beauty.

While retaining elements of folk rock, the track is characterized by a more personal and sentimental tone.

The lyrics, expressing sensitivity to life’s impermanence and the passage of time, are sure to resonate deeply with people living in contemporary society.

Baby Blue (feat. Oliver Sim)SG Lewis

SG Lewis – Baby Blue (feat. Oliver Sim)

SG Lewis from the UK is a multifaceted artist active as a singer-songwriter and producer.

Seamlessly traversing genres like deep house, synth-pop, and funk, he’s a proven talent who has also written songs for numerous artists, including Dua Lipa.

This is the lead single from his third album, “Anemoia,” set for release in September 2025.

The track features The xx’s Oliver Sim on vocals and comes together as a dance tune imbued with the sparkle of disco.

Reflecting the album’s overarching theme—nostalgia for an era one has never experienced—it blends a certain wistful emotion into its glamorous sound.

Its nostalgic world evokes faint memories of young love, making for a wonderfully comfortable vibe.

It feels like the perfect song for moments when you want to linger in a touch of sentimentality, wrapped in sophisticated production.

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.

Guy For ThatPost Malone ft. Luke Combs

Post Malone ft. Luke Combs – Guy For That (Official Music Video) ft. Luke Combs

A superb fusion of country and pop has given birth to a standout track.

This collaboration between Post Malone and Luke Combs portrays the pain of heartbreak and the difficulty of mending it through everyday metaphors.

Centered around acoustic guitar, the melody accentuates the poignant lyrics.

Included on Post Malone’s July 2024 album F-1 Trillion, it offers fresh appeal for country fans as well.

It’s recommended for anyone who has experienced heartbreak or seeks lyrics that resonate deeply.

The collaboration of two major American artists marks a step toward opening new doors in music.

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.