Luna Staff Picks: 2026 ARtists To Watch
2026 artists to watch
2026 artists to watch
☆ BY THE LUNA COLLECTIVE STAFF ☆
AS WE LOOK AHEAD TO 2026, we’re spotlighting artists who feel less like trends and more like signals, musicians that shaping the next chapter of pop, alternative and experimental music in real time. Our 2026 Artists to Watch list highlights musicians who feel like they’re operating slightly ahead of the curve, building worlds that invite listeners in while quietly redefining their lanes. These are artists carving out space on their own terms, blending genre, visual identity and storytelling in ways that feel intentional and lasting. From left-of-center pop to boundary-pushing alternative, this list captures the sounds, and voices, we believe will define the year ahead.
GELLI HAHA
I became fascinated with Gelli Haha’s worldbuilding with just one listen of Switcheroo, her debut record and the genesis of the “Gelliverse.” What is this place, and who is my ringleader? That would be Angel Abaya, the folk rock artist-turned pop star from Los Angeles (by way of Boise, Idaho). A blend of experimental pop and synth-driven indie, Gelli Haha’s idiosyncratic sound is evocative of vanguards like Animal Collective, or the peculiarities of the former band Palm. But that’s not to say the Gelliverse isn’t a whimsical world of its own; it would be impossible to replicate the gaggle of voice effects and ambient sounds you’d hear at a playground on “Bounce House”, or the transition from dolphin vocalizations to dance music on “Tiramisu”. It’s this creativity that’s getting Abaya noticed. She was named KCRW’s Breakthrough Artist of the Year, and Switcheroo has landed on Best of 2025 lists from NPR, Pitchfork, Paste and more. Next year she’ll be performing at festivals like Kilby Block Party, and her set is quite literally not to be missed. With her bright red bodysuits, backup dancers and an array of props like mini trampolines and rainbow tarps, Gelli Haha is sure to stand out.
Radio Free Alice
By Aleah Antonio
Every assumption I had about Radio Free Alice upon first listening was wrong: I assumed the lead singer was older, perhaps in his late thirties or early forties, based on the maturity of his voice and songwriting. I guessed they were from somewhere in the UK with their evident influence of post-punk bands from the 80s. Not only are the boys of Radio Free Alice (Noah Learmonth, Michael Phillips, Jules Paradiso, Maayan Barnatan, and Lochie Dowd) all under the age of 25, but they all hail from Australia where Paradiso and Learmonth met in high school.
However, my assumptions are rooted in some truth—the sharp, mature and sometimes dark lyrical and vocal quality owes itself to bands like Talking Heads and The Smiths. Even though they are integral to Melbourne’s music scene, the band recently relocated to London to escape Melbourne’s “low ceiling” for success. Radio Free Alice are already great—the next step is for the greatness to be known.
They released an EP every year since 2023: their debut self-titled, Polyester in 2024, and Empty Words from this summer. Their debut album is due in the new year, where they hope to escape the more obvious influences that drove their first EP and tap more into crafting their own side like they did on Empty Words. Their true-to-punk discordant riffs and politically relevant lyrics stand out in the unseriousness and dopamine-driven woes of the world. Radio Free Alice begs you get off your phone, read more—perhaps listen to their new album, catch them opening for Geese in the new year and discover something new.
Lip Critic
By Sydney Tate
Tampered with a foolhardy grin, Lip Critic oozes with courage blown full force into requiem. Their fated presence illuminates an undeniably voracious act — aching with wit and raging in ceremony — reaching fans across experimental, heavy metal, and hip-hop realms.
Lip Critic released their debut album, Hex Dealer, in May 2024 to high praise, ensuing in a quest to tour North America, Europe, and the UK, including opening for bands like Snapped Ankles, White Reaper, and Fiddlehead over the past eighteen months.
Appearing as sorcerers of vitality and reason, Lip Critic’s moxie beams assuredly above the rest, fleshing out a world where two samplers and two drummers were always the Holy Grail we’d been missing.
Mother Soki
Mother Soki is one of those rare talents who seems less like a new artist and more like someone world-building from the inside out. The Minneapolis musician is inspired by ‘90s dream-pop, vintage synth textures, and shoegaze-leaning guitars, all resulting in a soft, surreal and magnetic sound. She didn’t always know music would be her lane, trying every art form she could growing up, but ended up finding a sense of clarity while songwriting in college. That jumpstarted “Rivet Gun,” the breakout single that exploded across TikTok and moved her into the spotlight, eventually landing her a deal with Mom+Pop.
With her new EP fantasy out as of December 5, Mother Soki is becoming impossible to ignore in the dream-pop universe, and I can’t wait to see what she has planned for 2026.
Rubi Plume
By Dani Weinstein
I discovered Ruby Plume through her Goodnoise performance on TikTok, and immediately wondered why she hasn’t received more attention. She’s a singer-songwriter who leans into alternative folk/pop, creating music that is both delicate and powerful. She has soft, calming vocals, but still conveys intense emotion without having to raise her voice. “Cherrypick” was the song that first drew me in, and it introduced me to the rest of her work.
Her guitar playing, primarily fingerpicking, adds an expressive foundation to her sound, often layered with subtle synths that give her music a pure, atmospheric feel. Videos of her songwriting across social media offer little windows into her creative mind, which makes her music feel even more honest and intimate.
Her most recent release, “Pindrop”, is already stuck in my head; the instrumentation ties everything together so seamlessly, and her style reminds me a lot of Lizzy McAlpine and Searows, especially the way she blends intimate storytelling with quietly powerful vocals.
Faouzia
By Natalie D.C.
Moroccan-Canadian singer-songwriter Faouzia has taken the world by storm with her enchanting synth-pop vocals, elegant production, and empowering lyrics featured in her recently-released debut album FILM NOIR. While she’s been creating music since she was a young girl—collaborating with established artists like David Guetta and John Legend—the explosive popularity of her single “UNETHICAL” this past summer has officially cemented her place as a pop icon on the rise. From haunting trips to Paris to mind-bending covers of classic songs, Faouzia is an artist with talent, range, and passion who’s sure to make an even bigger splash in the new year.
Lilyisthatyou
The opening track on Liliyisthatyou’s most recent project, “CANADIAN IDOL,” signals the artist’s confidence about her imminent success. Her latest EP Lilith deals with her rising fame and clears assumptions on where she is standing now and how she got here. Lilyisthatyou has been releasing music consistently since 2021 with a quality that is difficult to imitate. Although fitting in the pop category, her sound has an elevating component to it. Her personality shines through her art. With candid lyrics, she explores subjects such as mental health, partying, sexuality and pain, without sugarcoating what she means. At the same time, she pairs her honesty with high-energy production that sounds innovative with each release she puts out.
Lilyisthatyou’s presence is loud and prominent while her emotional complexity is what draws people to connect with her music. Lilyisthatyou is clear about who she is and where she’s going— she knows she has what it takes to become a superstar, and she doesn't shy away from it. Once you notice her, you can’t look away.
Yves
By Patti Doud
Yves established herself as an important player in the pop genre with her viral hit “DIM” and glittery mini album, “Soft Error”; The EP boasted nostalgic Y2K sounds and rising pop features from across the globe, including Britain’s pop princess, Pink Pantheress and Mexico’s sapphic-rocker, Bratty. Sticking to a consistent brand of bouncy PC music, combined with the occasional emotional ballad to diversify her discography, Yves has carved a unique path for her rise in 2026. The K-pop idol wisely built upon the cult following success of her group, LOONA, which has allowed her to move up in the ranks of the pop-synth girls of today. She’s caught the attention of impressive artists such as Rebecca Black and FKA Twigs, so it’s only a matter of time until the general public catches up.
Sydney Rose
By Dany Mireles
Sydney Rose is an essential artist to watch in 2026, rising from bedroom recordings to becoming one of indie-pop’s most quietly powerful storytellers. The Georgia-born singer built her foundation on soft, breathy vocals and confessional lyrics that almost feel handwritten, inviting her listeners to moments of vulnerability with rare ease. Her breakout came in early 2025, with “We Hug Now” a fragile slow-burn song about drifting apart that unexpectedly exploded across social media, propelling her into the spotlight as one of the year’s most resonant new voices. Now, Sydney is entering a new creative era, one defined by growing confidence, sharper perspective, and a deepening emotional palette. With more music on the horizon and a sound that continues to evolve while staying intimate to its core, Sydney Rose is poised for a defining year ahead.
Dallas Wax
Dallas Wax is a New York–based rock band primed to break through in 2026. Formed just two years ago, the band has already completed a West Coast tour leg, headlining select dates and opening shows for Jet—an impressive milestone for a group so early in its rise.
Drawing from Led Zeppelin–era rock, Dallas Wax delivers a nostalgic sound sharpened by a modern influence. They balance career-driven seriousness with a playful spirit, letting their creativity flow into both their music videos and energetic stage presence.
Fan favorite “Girl Like Me” is the kind of track that makes standing still impossible, and catching Dallas Wax live echoes the rare thrill of discovering a band just before the rest of the world does.
