Staged Haze’s 15 Artists to Watch in 2026

People might first know Absolutely as the sister of RAYE, but it quickly becomes clear that she’s operating in a lane entirely her own. Like her sister, she has undeniable powerhouse vocals, but Absolutely’s music lives in a much darker, more electronic space. It feels intimate and inward, emotionally heavy in a way that pulls you closer rather than reaching outward for spectacle.

Her three most recent releases, “No Audience,” “I Just Don’t Know You Yet,” and “Goodbye Glitter,” feel like intentional building blocks for her upcoming album PARACOSM, hinted to arrive in February, signaling that a major new chapter is right around the corner and solidifying her as an artist to watch.

Her live résumé backs it all up. Last year, she toured with BANKS and performed with the Jonas Brothers, and she’s set to open for Reneé Rapp at Wembley in March. She’ll also be performing at Governors Ball in NYC this year, another clear sign that her star is firmly on the rise. Absolutely feels poised for a defining moment, and 2026 could be the year everything fully clicks. – Jesse

ALFIE JUKES

Every year, it’s mandatory for me to find at least one new indie white boy to wholeheartedly support; and this year’s lucky guy is 23-year-old Alfie Jukes. The Brighton native is a combination of the dopamine-inducing side of the alternative genre (think Wallows, Balu Brigada) and the intense vocal power of what I like to call sad-boy artists, like David Kushner and Tom Odell.

Jukes’ singing skills, although imposing, are not showy, and the timber of his voice is something I’m not used to hearing in funky, electric guitar charged music, making the experience all the more exciting. Alfie’s name has been doing rounds both in my playlists and those made by
“The Industry” for a couple of years now, so it’s really a matter of time until everyone else catches on. – Javi

BABY NOVA

Baby Nova—whose stage name is a play on her home of Nova Scotia—is one of indie’s biggest and best kept secrets of the last year. A former circus performer, contortionist, and acrobatic dancer, Baby Nova’s unique perspective immerses you into her world with ease. Recently named as one of Spotify’s Artists to Watch in 2026, she released her debut album, Shhugar, on January 16th: a genre-bending journey of singer-songwriter, folk, and indie pop.

With vocal textures reminiscent of Jessie Murph and Lana Del Rey and a country rasp that could rival Laci Kaye Booth, Baby Nova paints an expansive picture of tainted, toxic love: “Could’ve just had sex with me, didn’t have to fuck me so hard,” she croons on “Killed For Sport.” Several of the songs on Shhugar are co-written with Elizabeth Lowell Boland, who has an impressive track record of co-writing credits with artists like Beyoncé and Tate McRae, which means Baby Nova is already on the right track when it comes to working with seasoned collaborators. – Kristin 

DEVON AGAIN

I first discovered Devon Again’s music back in 2021, which feels like a completely different world, with her single “Suburbia,” and have been enjoying her rise ever since, including seeing her open for Chappell Roan at the Troubadour in summer 2022.

The LA-based, Denver born artist has been releasing music consistently ever since, finding success with silly, left-of-center lyrics and EP titles (most famously, the 2022 EP titled Pee) and songs about growing up, heartbreak, and change in a relatable, cynical way with outlandish humor and catchy melodies. But one song of hers that I truly never get sick of listening to is the glimmering “Cherry Cola,” a song that could have been a radio hit and that is a hill I will die on (fans seem to agree, as it’s approaching her most streamed song ever released).

Devon Again’s most recent EP, In Order, showcases her strongest work with frequent collaborator Jon Buscema, and is Devon Again’s most vulnerable work to date. Devon Again just performed two shows on the East Coast and just played a sold-out show at LA’s Troubadour last night: the same venue where she supported Chappell Roan just about 3.5 years ago. – Kristin

ELI

After scrolling Instagram aimlessly as we all do several months ago, I came across an article on The Cut called “Eli Is the 2000s Pop Star You’ve Been Waiting For” and was completely taken aback. Who is this 2000s pop star getting a shout out on The Cut and why haven’t I heard of them? I immediately went to Spotify and have been a fan ever since. The 24-year-old is living out her Hannah Montana dreams, which were manifested by the vision boards she created as a child while watching American Idol, dreaming of her chance to make it big.

Channeling the stars of the early aughts like Britney Spears and Mariah Carey, Eli’s debut album, Stage Girl, is a re-imagined take on R&B pop with a focus on queer storytelling: one of he biggest tracks, “Marianne,” is based on a real person who Eli has had a previous relationship with (platonic or romantic is unclear). But the true showstopping moment of Eli’s career has to be with the song “Glitter,” released as a standalone track in December 2025 that, in another life, I was belting alone in my room as a ten-year-old, surrounded by Hilary Duff posters (complimentary). – Kristin

ERIN LECOUNT

Self-taught producer Erin LeCount has been making waves on TikTok over the last year or so, documenting her process in the studio and building a loyal following online. The 22-year-old’s take on “gothic pop” is heavily influenced by artists like Fiona Apple and Lorde, mixing ethereal, operatic vocal tones with textured synths and electronic sensibilities. With two EPs under her belt and a handful of singles, LeCount is heading to North America in the beginning of February to perform six shows across the continent, with five already sold out and the sixth on its way.

A debut album has yet to be confirmed, but considering how successful her releases have been thus far, combined with a clear demand for live performances, I’m hoping that we’ll get a full-length project announcement soon. – Kristin

FLOWEROVLOVE

I know it sounds cheesy, but I need Flowerovlove to get her “flowers” this year. Her music is genuinely delightful, a burst of warmth and color that feels like a much needed addition to the pop world. There is an ease and sincerity to what she makes that feels joyful without ever being lightweight.

Born Joyce Cissé, Flowerovlove is a British Ivorian singer songwriter, producer, and model who debuted in 2020 and has already released three EPs. Along the way, she has quietly racked up major recognition, winning Artist to Watch at the 2022 A&R Awards and New Artist at the 2024 Music Week Women in Music Awards. Her songwriting shines in tracks like “a girl like me,” which remains a standout favorite, and her really sweet Christmas release “wishlist,” a festive track that perfectly captures her charm.

She has also earned the ultimate cosign, appearing on Elton John’s Rocket Hour radio show in October of 2025. Live, her momentum keeps building. She performed at Lollapalooza last year and is set to play both Coachella and Governor’s Ball this year. With that run alone, there is no doubt she is about to gain a whole new wave of fans. And somehow, she is only 20 years old. Flowerovlove is not just one to watch, she is already blooming. – Jesse

GIRL GROUP

I only found out about Girl Group thanks to our Editor in Chief Kristin, and I was deeply surprised she didn’t add them to this list before I did. But alas! Girl Group is exactly the type of band that I love, except female, and oh, did I need a band of girls to love (I am actively working on fixing the musical internalized misogyny that makes me listen to mostly men, and I hope you can support me on this journey.)

The Liverpool-via-Norway quintet released their debut EP Think They’re Looking, Let’s Perform in June of last year, and it is pretty much a perfect project both conceptually and musically. The songs directly touch on what it means to be a woman in the industry (and the world) in an unabashed, appropriately-annoyed way, and it’s just so fun to listen to. Girl Group will certainly be a band to pay attention to, of course because of what they represent, but also because of just how good the product of their anger towards the patriarchy turns out to be 🙂 – Javi

HEMLOCKE SPRINGS

You might have already heard of hemlocke springs, born Isimeme “Naomi” Udu. She’s been releasing music since 2022, going viral for her song “Girlfriend” the same year and getting cosigns from musicians like Chappelle Roan, Conan Gray, Doja Cat, Grimes and Steve Lacy. That’s when I first found her too. But since her viral hits, she’s maintained her unique visuals and funky sound. Though the label alt-pop fits hemlock springs best—you can most clearly detect traces of Kate Bush inspired ’80s pop across her works—she defies genre and with each release, bleeds further and further out of the lines. No one is doing it like her.

This year, springs’ album The Apple Tree Under the Sea comes out February 13. I came across her “w-w-w-w-w” visualizer and was immediately enticed by her outfit, hair, and its mixed media animations. Theatrics, story, drama, visuals, it’s everything you could ask for. Her commitment to being unapologetically herself as a quirky Black girl is a welcome sight. Part of that is definitely how she blends analogue and digital art, especially against the landscape of AI generated art. She’s kind of the artist we all need right now. – Mendy

LEONIE BINEY

There’s something so immediately likeable and stick-in-your-head about Leonie Biney’s sound. Born to Ghanaian/Nigerian and Sierra Leonean/Jordanian parents, Biney has quickly created a name for herself as an up-and-coming musician since dropping her debut EP, It Could Have Been Nice, in 2024. Her songs have received millions of streams, with “beach song” and “Groupie” going viral on TikTok for their addictive melodies.

Her sound most reminds me of fellow British artist, Beabadoobee, but somehow Biney is able to set herself apart amongst the sea of soft-voiced acoustic bedroom pop artists. Her lyrics are lovesick yet clever, like in “I’m Making You Coffee” or extremely romantic, as in “Comedown.” On the surface, her production is simple, but the 19-year-old nails the ability to build anticipation across all her songs and resolve them in the most satisfying way – and she’s just getting started. If she’s not on your playlist, what are we even doing here? – Mendy

MIKAYLA GEIER

Rising Canadian singer-songwriter Mikayla Geier’s unique blend of “creative and classical” has garnered her a large fanbase over the last couple years for her eccentric, “theater kid” energy (described by Staged Haze writer and photographer Javi who attended her show in Toronto last fall) and fearlessness performance style. Born in Vancouver to a tapestry of Chinese and German heritage, Geier has been dancing since three-years-old and once attended an elite Russian ballet academy before pursuing business school and her musical career.

There are dancers who can sing and singers who can dance, but artists who can genuinely do both near perfectly are few and far between. At just 26-years-old, Geier continues to hone her craft and pave her own way as a seasoned performer, her biggest opportunity on the way this year: opening for MARINA on the “Princess of Power” tour in May. – Kristin

SABURNIA

I don’t know too much about Saburnia, the band formerly known as The Thistle Brothers, but I do know that after hearing about 30 seconds of their most recent song, “Even,” which I can best describe as a folksy, rock twist on Dijon. What sets the brothers apart—named Cameron and Devin Thistle—is their recording process: they exclusively record “without click tracks or digital grids, building songs from live takes captured during late-night sessions,” according to an interview with Talon Marks. The same article comments on the band’s dedicated following built in LA: their last show in November drew 700-800 RSVPs without any sort of promotion on social media. 

With only three songs released under the artist project Saburnia, there’s an air of mystery surrounding the band and what’s to come, and I will be watching with curiosity. – Kristin

SOFIA ISELLA

I remember when I first discovered Billie Eilish in her very early days, and it was pretty obvious to everyone paying attention that she was going to be a very successful artist with a long career ahead of her. I feel pretty similar to 20-year-old Sofia Isella, who has such a specific and strong point of view for such a young age, that I can’t help but compare her to Eilish.

A self-proclaimed “slut for words” (taken from her Spotify bio), Isella’s music is heavily themed around women’s empowerment and toxic masculinity, citing artists like Fiona Apple, Nine Inch Nails, and Taylor Swift, as inspiration. Her music is often uncomfortable to listen to, a raw and honest take on the cultural divides that are swirling around contemporary society today. With 100 million Spotify streams, 2.6 million Instagram followers, and a stint opening for Swift on the Eras Tour in 2024, it’s easy to see that Isella is on her way to stardom, and has no problem paving her way to get there on her own terms. – Kristin 

THE BELAIR LIP BOMBS

The Belair Lip Bombs feel like a band arriving at exactly the right moment. Rooted in a DIY ethos but sharpened by intention, their music balances urgency and yearning in a way that feels both nostalgic and strikingly current. Even their name points to something specific and rare, inspired by super limited skateboard wheels from the late ’70s and early ’80s that were considered cutting edge for their time, a fitting parallel for a band pushing forward while staying grounded in history.

Their latest album, Again, released in October via Third Man Records, marked a clear turning point. The songs are more focused and emotionally precise, leaning into what the band describes as “limerence rock,” a sound driven by obsession, longing, and romantic intensity. It sits near yearn core but feels sharper and more restless, capturing the push and pull of wanting something just out of reach. This release also marked the first time the band worked with a producer, a shift that helped refine their vision without dulling its raw edges.

With tours across the US and Australia planned for this year, BelAir Lip Bombs are clearly stepping into a bigger moment. The momentum behind the band continues to build as they bring these songs on the road and introduce their sound to new audiences. They sound like a band coming into full focus, and they are only just getting started. – Jesse

VIENNA VIENNA

Fresno-born artist Vienna Vienna, who goes by J, has been releasing music since 2021, but got the chance of a lifetime when Fall Out Boy’s own Pete Wentz discovered his music a couple years later, who was reminded of early demos by none other than Panic! At The Disco…and the rest is history.

Vienna Vienna’s debut EP, Wonderland, dropped in 2024 on on PULSE Records and Pete Wentz’s DCD2 (formerly known as Decaydance Records) which was followed by “God Save The Queens” in 2025: a song that amassed a queer following as a “rallying point” for the LGGTBQIA+ community. Fast forward to 2026, and he’s released a new EP called Entertain Me, a six-track project that takes J’s “glimmer rock” to the next level: marrying the best of ‘80s pop with a modern tinge of indie rock that doesn’t take itself too seriously.

“Company Hunting” features a songwriting credit from hit songwriter Justin Tranter (Britney Spears, Linkin Park, Katy Perry, the list goes on and on), and with an upcoming tour supporting Daisy Grenade this May, it’s safe to say that Vienna Vienna’s on the road to major indie success.
– Kristin