The soundtrack of the next 12 months will marry jangly guitar anthems with cutting-edge pop. This is according to the shortlist for BBC Radio 1’s Sound of 2026, which suggests new music for the coming year.
Nominees also include American singer-songwriter sombreWhose sweet melodies and yearning pop-rock lyrics have already earned them a place in the UK top 10 singles.
Also in the running are Australian skate-rock duo Royal Otis And nervous post-punk outfit Some ducksThey are also joined by rising pop singers chloe kisha, skye newman And alessi rose – who supported Dua Lipa on tour this summer.
Previous winners include Adele, Haim and Chapelle Rhone. The 2026 winner will be announced on Radio 1 and BBC News in January.
This year’s list was compiled from votes by an international panel of over 170 industry experts and artists, including Sir Elton John, Dua Lipa, Zedd, Olivia Dean, Yungblud and Sam Smith.
It is open to artists who have not yet scored a number one album or more than three top 10 singles by 31 October 2025. Artists who already have a “significant public profile” are also ineligible.
Remaining Nominees for 2026 Include Breakout Rap Stars Gym Legacyirish rockers Florence Roadr&b singer Do you know and singer-songwriter sasha cable – Former collaborator of Disclosure and Jorja Smith.
The list has been running since 2003, when American rapper 50 Cent was the first winner.
Since then, it has also predicted success for Stormzy, Frank Ocean, Wet Legs, Florence + the Machine, Ray, Fred Again, Vampire Weekend and Yungblud.
This is what you need to know about the 10 nominees in the Sound of 2026 shortlist.
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