Tag: Olivia Dean

Your Summer 2026 Soundtrack? Spotify’s Predictions Are In

May 29, 2026

The days are getting longer, the temperatures are rising, and playlists are filling up for the season. With summer around the corner, Spotify’s global editors have been keeping a close eye on the musical landscape and are ready to unveil the songs they think could shape this year’s soundtrack.

“I think above everything, we all know that a song of the summer is about the vibes,” said Talia Kraines, Editorial Lead, Pop at Spotify. “It’s a song that makes you feel good, that you can listen to outside in the sunshine with your friends, and that has the ability to travel across genres, people, and countries.”

From hot new releases to chart-climbing anthems and surprise viral hits, our picks are made for beach days, road trips, rooftop parties, and everything in between.

And for the first time, we’re letting listeners predict the song they think will be the season’s biggest hit with in-app voting. Just tap “Vote” at the top of the Songs of Summer playlist, then share your pick on social media or via Spotify Messages.

Songs of Summer 2026 predictions

Dance music is a summer staple, but this year we’re seeing several party-ready tracks turning up the heat with a nostalgic twist. “New Religion” (Bebe Rexha and Faithless) and “Jamaican (Bam Bam)” (HUGEL and SOLTO) sample sounds from summers past, while “Talk To You” (ANOTR and 54 Ultra) and “DANCE…” (Slayyyter) channel disco, ’90s house, and early 2000s French electronica.

But the energy doesn’t stop there. Artists from Ghana to Colombia are keeping partygoers moving this season with internationally-inspired sounds. “Kakalika” by DopeNation fuses Ghanaian azonto with South African Amapiano, while “CHÉVERE” by ARIA VEGA and Ryan Castro brings Caribbean and Latin Afrobeats energy. 

Sadboy summer is also trending. Songs like “Freakin’ Out” by Dexter and The Moonrocks, “Babydoll” by Dominic Fike, and “Earrings” by Malcolm Todd are perfect for nights when you’re looking for something moodier.

And for storytelling in song, country is taking us places. Ella Langley’s “Choosin’ Texas” and STELLA LEFTY’s “Boston” are rooted in specific locations, evoking the warmth and reflection of long summer nights.

Without further ado, here are Spotify’s 2026 Songs of Summer predictions, listed in alphabetical order by artist first name. 

Whether it’s a pop powerhouse, an Afrobeats groove, or a dancefloor-ready hit, these songs all have one thing in common: the potential to define summer 2026.

Stay tuned! We’ve got more surprises coming all summer long. 

Introducing the Best New Artist 2026 Nominees

January 23, 2026

Best New Artist 2026

Spotify’s annual Best New Artist celebration honors the rising stars whose talent, creativity, and dedication have propelled them to the music industry’s biggest stage. More than a party, the evening spotlights the artistry and hard work of the nominees who are shaping music today and underscores our commitment to amplifying artists at a defining moment in their careers.

After a cancellation due to the Los Angeles wildfires last year, the event is back in a big way. On Thursday, January 29, The Lot at Formosa will play host to the celebration, sponsored by Hilton. All 8 of the 2026 nominees—Addison Rae, Alex Warren, KATSEYE, Leon Thomas, Lola Young, Olivia Dean, sombr, and The Marías—will be in attendance and perform live on our rotating stage throughout the night.

Before the winner is announced, get to know the nominees for this year’s Best New Artist, and see how Spotify has helped amplify their music and find new fans around the world.

Addison Rae

We had a feeling Addison Rae was one to watch from the moment her debut single “Obsessed” landed on New Music Friday in 2021. Since then, she’s dropped a string of singles, EPs, and an album, and was featured in the behind-the-scenes performance short, Spotify Presents: Addison – The Debut. Last year, her song “Headphones On” was named one of Spotify Editors’ Picks: Best Songs of 2025.

Alex Warren

Alex Warren made waves in 2025 with his song “Ordinary,” which racked up more than 2.9 million streams on its first day and went on to join Spotify’s Billions Club. The hit was the third most‑streamed song in the U.S. last year, while his album You’ll Be Alright, Kid secured the No. 7 spot among the most‑streamed albums globally.

KATSEYE

KATSEYE stands out not just for their high-energy beats, but for the journey that brought them together. More than 120,000 artists applied to be a part of the girl group in a global talent search. Only 20 finalists made the cut and competed in an intensive audition program that streamed worldwide. 

Their first track, aptly named “Debut,” dropped in 2024 and was an instant hit. A year later, “Gnarly” was featured on Spotify’s 2025 Songs of Summer list.

Leon Thomas

Leon Thomas is on our radar, literally. Earlier this year, he was featured in our RADAR podcast series where he talked about his EP PHOLKS, his creative evolution, and more. Previously included on the Rising R&B: Artists to Watch Playlist in 2024, he continued to impress with his song “My Muse,” landing on Spotify Editors’ Picks: Best Songs of 2025.

Lola Young

Making history as the first cover artist for R&B UK in 2020 was just the beginning for Lola Young. This year, she was named EQUAL Ambassador for the U.K. and Ireland, while her single “Messy” was featured on Today’s Top Hits and ALT NOW and also became a certified member of Spotify’s Billions Club.

Olivia Dean

This year marked several big Spotify moments for Olivia Dean. “It Isn’t Perfect But It Might Be,” featured in Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy, was her first song included on Hot Hits UK. Over the summer, she appeared on the covers of the Chill Pop and New Music Friday UK playlists after dropping “Man I Need,” a song that was also a part of her Spotify Live Room performance. Closing out the year, her track “So Easy (To Fall In Love)” made Spotify Editors’ Picks: Best Songs of 2025.

sombr

sombr’s 2025 hit “back to friends” defined a landmark year for the rising artist. The track entered Spotify’s Billions Club and was among the most‑streamed songs both globally (No. 6) and in the U.S. (No. 7). Meanwhile, his song “canal street” was included in Spotify Editors’ Picks: Best Songs of 2025.

The Marías

Since releasing their debut album CINEMA, The Marías have built impressive momentum, earning two Grammy nominations and a Billboard chart‑topper, along with collaborations with Latin music heavyweights like Bad Bunny and Tainy. They were among the top RADAR artists last year, while their song “No One Noticed” was the No. 10 most-streamed song on Spotify in the U.S. in 2025.

Scores, Songs, and Supper Served at Our Spotify Supper in London

September 18, 2023

Olivia Dean Performing

Good food, good conversation, and amazing music. Is there anything better?

That’s what was served up last week in London at our annual Spotify Supper, which included a live performance by Olivia Dean, our EQUAL UK & Ireland ambassador and recent Mercury Prize nominee.

Spotify Supper began in 2016 as a way to bring together executives with advertising and publishing partners for an evening to remember. The dinners have become a much-anticipated staple of our brand, and the latest, held in London, was no exception. Guests were treated to a multisensory experience with “Blend”-inspired cocktails and enjoyed desserts from the Soft Serve Society that took a cue from our Sonic Science research.