5 Pop Artists Shaping The Sound of Summer 2026!

The sun is shining again, and we can’t help but get excited for all the brand-new pop music landing just in time for the Summer season. From singles that are already on our playlists to entire albums still weeks away, this Summer is bringing us music from both renowned pop icons and emerging artists. Every year, the internet is torn trying to determine the new "Song of the Summer", so here are our predictions for the top contenders of Summer 2026!

1. RAYE

The singer who found success with her single "WHERE IS MY HUSBAND!" released a brand new album, THIS MUSIC MAY CONTAIN HOPE., in late March of this year. Her sophomore record is structured in 4 seasons, taking listeners on a journey from songs that feel like Autumn to songs that give off Summer vibes. She puts a touch of jazz and R&B into her pop sound and brings collaborations with Al Green, Hans Zimmer, and Grandad Michael. RAYE just concluded her tour on May 20th and is joining Bruno Mars as a special guest on a few shows of his stadium tour this Summer.

2. Demi Lovato

The former Disney star and author of 2015’s hit "Cool For the Summer", Demi Lovato released It’s Not That Deep (Unless You Want it to Be), a deluxe version of her 9th studio album, back in April 24. Fans were surprised to see her coming back to dance-pop when her past couple of albums leaned more towards rock. She added 8 songs, including collaborations with Cobrah and Rose Gray. Currently mid-tour and selling out arenas, Demi Lovato is having her moment. Songs like "Low Rise Jeans" are perfect for car rides with the windows down.

3. MUNA

MUNA’s 2022 song "Silk Chiffon" is arguably one of the most feel-good songs of all time. On May 8, the group released their fourth studio album, Dancing on the Wall, a record that channels the uncertain energy of living in a Los Angeles defined by social/environmental issues and political tension, but does so through buoyant dance-pop. As their Spotify biography says, the album is "(...) a soundtrack for hearts simultaneously on fire and observing the chaos around them." Their title track, "Dancing on the Wall", is an upbeat tale of an unfulfilling love. MUNA has sold out 8 concerts in NYC and is on the lineup for this year’s Lollapalooza.

4. Towa Bird

Last year, Towa Bird wrote the song "Your Girl" for Netflix’s show "Nobody Wants This". Her sophomore album Gentleman, released May 15th, and she has described this record as a challenge to traditional gender roles, bringing a queer lens to modern society’s notions of chivalry. Her idea for the album is to separate the words "gentle" and "man", bringing a balance between femininity and masculinity. Her new single "Dirty Habit" has a melody that you cannot resist tapping your foot to. We are anxiously awaiting a tour or festival appearance!

5. Olivia Rodrigo

We can’t talk about Summer pop without talking about Olivia Rodrigo. Given that her past two albums, SOUR and GUTS, have defined previous Summers, her third album you seem pretty sad for a girl so in love, coming out June 12th, is promising. She has described the album as "sad love songs", explaining that her favorite romantic songs always had "a tinge of fear or yearning in them." Her single "drop dead" reached 90,000 streams in only two weeks, and her tour is starting in September after Summer officially ends, but we can anticipate her songs being on every radio station after her album release.