[2026 Edition] Uplifting Western Music — Latest Popular Songs and Recommended Tracks

StarstruckYears & Years

Olly Alexander – Starstruck (Official Video)

A brand-new, undeniably dazzling and irresistibly catchy electro-pop classic was born in the era of 2021! This anthemic track, released in April 2021 by Years & Years—rebooted as Olly Alexander’s solo project, known not only as a musician but also for his work as an actor—marks a new chapter in Olly’s career and is a key song in forecasting the future of Years & Years.

Created amid the stifling conditions of the pandemic, ‘Starstruck’ packs in the simple desire and energy to hit the town and dance.

As mentioned at the outset, it’s a perfect pop song; its lyrics, which convey passionate feelings for a loved one directly, are uplifting just to listen to.

At the same time, it reminds listeners of the joy and beauty that music can hold.

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Numb Little BugEm Beihold

Em Beihold – Numb Little Bug

Numb Little Bug, released in January 2022, is one of the standout tracks of the year, hitting No.

1 on Spotify’s Global Viral Chart right after it came out.

It’s the major-label debut single by singer-songwriter Em Beihold, born in 1999, and it first drew attention when she posted a piano-and-vocal version on her TikTok in August 2021, prior to the official release.

While the song features an irresistibly poppy, light-footed ensemble and a subtly wistful melody that sticks in your head, its lyrics—rooted in Beihold’s experience taking antidepressants—are far from bright.

They lay bare the raw emotions of young people living through the stifling atmosphere of the pandemic era, to an almost painful degree.

Even so, there’s also a sense that it isn’t sheer despair, which seems to capture the mindset of the younger generation remarkably well.

For listeners who find that purely cheerful, happy songs don’t quite satisfy—that inexpressible, hazy sense of unease that makes life feel hard—this is a track you should definitely hear.

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Obey with YUNGBLUDBring Me The Horizon

Bring Me The Horizon – Obey with YUNGBLUD (Official Video) ft. YUNGBLUD

For anyone who wants to get pumped up with a refreshing rock track—featuring loud-as-hell guitars, a heavy rhythm, full-on shouts, and still a singable melody—this song comes highly recommended! It’s a single released in September 2020 by Bring Me The Horizon, now one of the UK’s flagship rock bands and hugely popular here in Japan as well, and it also made waves for featuring fellow UK rising star YUNGBLUD.

Bring Me The Horizon started out as a brutally heavy deathcore band, but over the years they’ve shifted toward a more polished sound.

Obey, which sees frontman Oliver Sykes unleashing fierce screams for the first time in a while, was warmly received by fans who had been waiting for a heavier BMTH.

That said, their knack for crafting something properly catchy is as sharp as ever, making this a cool track that’s also easy to recommend to listeners who find overly heavy music a bit much.

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my ex’s best friendMachine Gun Kelly ft. blackbear

Machine Gun Kelly ft. blackbear – my ex’s best friend (Official Music Video)

In the American music scene of 2020, Machine Gun Kelly’s rise was truly remarkable.

Though known as a rapper, Kelly originally came from the rock world, and his album Tickets To My Downfall—an unabashed, 120% love letter to the 2000s pop-punk that defined his youth—symbolically became his first to reach No.

1 on the U.S.

charts.

Among the album’s slew of youthful, pop-punk anthems—complete with lyrics that carry a naïve, boyish vulnerability—this time I’d like to highlight my ex’s best friend, which also incorporates elements of contemporary trap-emo.

Featuring the popular singer-songwriter and producer blackbear, the song’s lyrics, delivered through Kelly’s gritty vocals, capture a complex male psyche that’s quintessentially 2000s emo.

Rather than a track for amped-up revelry, it’s recommended for listeners who want to sink into a mellow, bittersweet melody and simply feel it.

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Calm DownRema, Selena Gomez

Rema, Selena Gomez – Calm Down (Official Music Video)

Rema is a new-generation artist from Nigeria.

His collaboration with global songstress Selena Gomez is the track “Calm Down.” It’s a mellow love song.

Overall, the piece has a warm feel, but some lyrics depict confronting anxiety, so it can also be taken as an uplifting anthem.

When you’re feeling a bit worn out, why not listen to this track to relax? And be sure to enjoy the stylishly produced music video as well.

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UnderdogAlicia Keys

Alicia Keys – Underdog (Official Video)

Alicia Keys’s first single of 2020, “Underdog.” She used to sing more soulful tracks, but lately she’s been focusing mainly on pop.

The song has a serious melody, making it a great pick when you’re feeling down or need to get pumped up.

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Good as Hell (feat. Ariana Grande) [Remix]Lizzo

Lizzo – Good As Hell (feat. Ariana Grande) [Official Audio]

Lizzo’s “Good As Hell” is the perfect song for women who’ve lost confidence in themselves or for anyone who just wants to lift their mood without overthinking.

The lyrics are incredibly powerful, and they feel intimate—like advice from a close friend standing right by your side—so you’re sure to feel energized.

Lizzo’s vocals are soulful and powerful too, so even if something’s got you down, hearing her voice will help you forget it fast.

The piano-driven sound, with its bright rhythm, will make your heart feel light and bouncy.