Today, EARMILK releases our look at our Artists to Watch 2026. The artists compiled on this list reflect the changing of the music industry. In the years since the birth of music streaming, now, more than ever, artists are showcasing their creative skills in expanding upon what is considered the standard. In pop, the genre has seen the emergence of DIY pop and bedroom pop, while genres like alternative continue to eclipse everything in sight.
We took our time to reflect on the recent trends and viral moments and compare it with the likelihood of many of these artists breaking out in 2026. A few are gaining traction from their outstanding live shows to landing spots on some of the biggest music festivals this summer; these names are sure to become household names this year.
yeule
Singapore-born nonbinary musician, performance artist, and painter yeule, also known as Nat Ćmiel, began releasing music at just 14. Since then, they’ve crafted experimental pop rooted in emotional excavation and self-reclamation. Their work has drawn a devoted following of fellow outsiders seeking catharsis from both physical and mental struggle. Yeule’s ability to fuse genres into a hypermodern yet nostalgic strain of experimental alternative pop is striking, pulling listeners back again and again, attentive to both what they’re saying and how they choose to say it. – Angela Cook
Connect with yeule: Instagram // Website
Operelly
Operelly’s aquarium of lyrical trinkets has been creeping its way into people’s ears since mid-2022, but attracting an even wider audience after the release of their first EP in May 2025. Handwriting Practice No. 1 includes a diverse array of offbeat indie-pop earworms such as the wildly catchy “You Don’t Have One Hope,” and the acoustic duet “‘It Must Be Bad.” With new fans seemingly popping out of the woodwork, there’s no lack of anticipation for more music from the California-based artist, who just closed out the year opening for Quinnie in the US and Canada. Listeners can look forward to a single release in late February, along with a breadcrumb trail of hints that suggest there will be more to come in the following months. – Lucy Nice
Connect with Operelly: Instagram // Bandcamp
Haute & Freddy
In the form of pop disco that seems to carry a carnival of fun, pop duo Haute & Freddy make music fun again. Since 2024, Lance Shipp and Michelle Buzz, a fun-loving duo burst onto the scene with a certain flair of music that hasn't been seen since the early 2000s. What Haute & Freddy do with their songs is nothing short of a Shakespearean play, full of tragedy but with a comedic twist. 80s-inspired synths are a focal point in their music, while Resinasse Era seems to make up their array of outfits in their cinematic music videos. This year is set to be a big party with Haute & Freddy hosting. Their debut album, Big Disgrace, is set to be released this March. -Donovan Wilkins
Connect with Haute & Freddy: Instagram // Website
Ayoni
Ayoni’s musicality is a force to be reckoned with. Her dexterous and powerful alto, combined with her meticulous and intricate arrangements, creates a musical universe imbued with intimacy, which is evident on her debut album, Isola. Her music represents a generation, Gen Z, finding its autonomy in an ever-changing world. – Adrianna Maxwell
Connect with Ayoni: Instagram
Kashus Culpepper
Before he dropped his debut album, ACT I, Alabama-bred Kashus Culpepper had already lived a lot of life. A former firefighter and EMT, Culpepper found his passion for music rising to the top while in the Navy. At the top of the year, his debut is gaining traction among the country music scene. Blending the fundamentals of country and that southern folk, Culpepper weaves a narrative that captures the heart of the land. The storytelling in his music sounds like a campfire with an old friend. Culpepper is already making a strong case for one of the country's most thought-provoking albums this year. – Donovan Wilkins
Connect with Kashus Culpepper: Instagram
WHATMORE
The West Coast and the South aren't the only locations where talented artist collectives grow. New York City-based alt hip hop collective WHATMORE started to gain momentum towards the end of 2025 and looks to keep it heading into 2026. With their social media presence and chill, inviting aura, the group is just as killer in the studio. The comparisons between Brockhampton and Odd Future are already in motion, but WHATMORE has what the others don't: New York grit. Their 2025 self-titled debut album was packed with fusions of NY hip hop and alternative flows. Don't be surprised if their names (Cisco Swank, Yoshi T., Jackson August, Sebastiano, and Elijah Judah) show up at a few music festivals this year. – Donovan Wilkins
Connect with WHATMORE: Instagram // Website
Tiffany Day
The rising star that she is, Tiffany Day centers her music around EDM that blends the quaint bedroom pop and indie. One of the best new artists to emerge in the past year, Day continues to build out her expanding career. Balancing between producing and songwriting, the artist is coming off her Lover Tofu Fruit tour from 2025 and will look to continue that momentum into 2026, where a possible album may be on the horizon. – Donovan Wilkins
Connect with Tiffany Day: Instagram
Sofia Isella
Sofia Isella has found her exposure reaching the far shores of the East Coast. Dark and emotionally charged is where Isella finds her sweet spot. Her music ranges from dark indie pop to a modern gothic-country blend. On social media, Isella's music garners tons of audio uses on TikTok, further confirming her cult following. While much of her music tends to lean on the pressures of fame, the moody singer does a fantastic job of displaying a fresh sound that could open up mainstream audiences to a new genre. – Donovan Wilkins
Connect with Sofia Isella: Instagram
Sherelle
Sherelle’s torrid but precise production creates the perfect landscape to get lost on the dancefloor. Her recent project, With a Vengeance, positions her as one of the leading architects of the 2020s electronic sound. –Adrianna Maxwell
Connect with Sherelle: Instagram
Fcukers
The New York-based electronic duo Fcukers are heating the Big Apple in a major way. Shanny Wise and Jackson Walker Lewis just announced their debut album Ö, out March 27th, doing a deep dive on Apple Music and blowing up the EDM space with their new single, "L.U.C.K.Y." Everything is in motion for the duo to break out this year. With a spot at the Governor's Ball Music Festival this summer, Fcukers are looking to keep the city cool this summer. – Donovan Wilkins
Connect with Fcukers: Instagram // Website
she's green
Hailing from Minneapolis, shoegaze rock band she's green is poised for a huge year in 2026. After releasing their latest EP, Chrysalis, last year and touring with other indie big names like Slow Pulp, the band is on the cusp of breaking through. The band spent the better part of the last few months gaining a management and a nationwide record label. Recently, the band was announced on the lineup of Slideaway Fest, a premier dream pop/shoegaze music festival. – Donovan Wilkins
Connect with she's green: Instagram
Gabriel Jacoby
R&B singer Gabriel Jacoby is a rare breed. Over time, Jacoby seems to enhance his storytelling abilities that build upon his upbringing. Weaving old school soul with a modern look helps the singer carve out his own in what many may call a crowded R&B market. With R&B growing over the past year, Jacoby positions himself among the Coco Jones and Leon Thomas. Clean hooks, minimalist style vocals, and Jacoby manage to pack it all into a cohesive sound. – Donovan Wilkins
Connect with Gabriel Jacoby: Instagram // Website
