The Best Songs Released in March 2026

Every time I write an intro to these posts, I reference how music is such an escape from the world and the tumultuous times we’re living in, and every time it just feels more poignant. So if you’re reading this, I hope you’re okay and taking the time to protect your peace in this insanely dystopian world.

Noteworthy album & EP releases:
Almost There, The Academy Is…
Written Into Changes, Avalon Emerson
Forgive, Forget., Avery Anna
IRREVERSIBLE, Brigitte Calls Me Baby
ARIRANG, BTS
DON’T, Cailin Russo
Everything Glows, Cannons
Worst Person in The World, Carol Ades
Whatever’s Clever!, Charlie Puth
SATTELITE, Charlotte Sands
better late than not at all, Chelsea Jordan
TORN, Cobrah
An Always Open Door, Endearments
Ö, Fcukers
Little Sticky Pictures, Girl Group
Brink, Girl Scout
PAINT ME LIKE ONE OF YOUR FAV AMERICAN GIRLS, googly eyes
Girlfriend, Grace Ives
Kiss All The Time. Disco, Occasionally., Harry Styles
Big Disgrace, Haute & Freddy
Trying Times, James Blake
Tell Me How You Really Feel, Katelyn Tarver
The Cost of Freedom, Koko Love
LK99, Leven Kali
Winged, Lia Pappas-Kemps
F.I.G., Naomi Scott
Jesus Loves a Primadonna, Nessa Barrett
Turned Into Me, Rachel Grae
THIS MUSIC MAY CONTAIN HOPE., Raye
Sexistenial, ROBYN
Detour, Samara Cyn
WOR$T GIRL IN AMERICA, SLAYYYTER
Ricochet, Snail Mail
Still There’s a Glow, Sweet Pill
Werewolf, The Brook and The Bluff
U, Underscores
Help (2), War Child Records
Memory Be A Blade, waterbaby
Jean, Yebba
Until You’re Satisfied, YONAKA

In chronological order:

“Nightingale Lane” – RAYE
Release date – February 27

Two things to start this paragraph off with: 1) I’m aware that I’m cheating by including “Nightingale Lane” in this round-up because it came out in late Feb., and 2) I could have picked a handful of songs off of Raye’s FANTASTIC new album, THIS MUSIC MAY CONTAIN HOPE., but this is the one that still makes me cry when I listen to it.

Raye heartbreakingly tells the story of being broken up with on Nightingale Lane, opening the song with a spoken line: “This is a song about the greatest heartbreak I have ever known.” She revisits the location, how it felt to have her world turned upside down by her lover, and how she has come to the conclusion that she will once feel the love she felt for that person again, and when it comes, it’ll be from the right person this time.

That’s the simplified way of discussing the subject matter of the song, but the intricacies of the song’s melodies, production, and vocal prowess cannot be discussed and frankly, understood, without listening to the song. Raye has already been praised throughout her career for her unbelievably strong vocal ability, but she takes it to the next level on “Nightingale Lane,” and the rest of the album, for that matter. The song continues to build until the bridge crescendos into something so viscerally emotional, you can feel the pain and emotion of Raye’s voice bursting through the notes—the yearning truly makes me cry every time I hear it. If you haven’t checked out her performance of the song live at Abbey Studios will the London Symphony Orchestra, I DEFINITELY recommend. – Kristin

“Familiar Hell” – Carol Ades
Release date – March 6

Carol Ades, whose career I’ve been following since I discovered her on The Voice back in 2013, has been one of my favorite songwriters in pop music right now. Her music is relatable, openly self-deprecating, and a raw depiction on the emotions that swirl through your head as a late 20-early 30-something. It comes to a head in her new EP Worst Person In The World, and particularly on the song “Familiar Hell,” a song about feeling like you’re stuck in a cycle of self-sabotage and struggling to find the ways to help yourself because it just feels easier to complain and…do nothing. “Am I ready to admit that it’s all kind of all my fault?” she questions in the opening verse of the song.

Those aren’t the only relatable lyrics in the track. Just 45 seconds in, she hits you with a hard truth that I feel like is something we all struggle with internally, but are less inclined to admit to anyone. “I get jealous of anyone who has anything at all.” Ouch!

Co-written by Lauren Aquilina (Rebecca Black, Maude Latour, Fletcher), Madelene Eliasson (LÉON, ELIO, Broods) and Marcus Andersson (Chappell Roan, Demi Lovato, Rina Sawayama), “Familial Hell,” is another hit song added to Carol Ades’ arsenal of autobiographical, relatable bangers. After all, her Spotify bio simply states “The therapist you didn’t ask for,” and I think that sums it up quite nicely. – Kristin

“All I Did Was Dream of You” – beabadoobee ft. The Marías
Release date – March 12

“All I Did Was Dream of You” is a collaboration, born out of mutual admiration, between beabadoobee and The Marías that feels like such a natural link up for both of them. The track blends dreamy indie pop with touches of trip hop and alt rock, with Bea’s soft, intimate vocals sitting right alongside María Zardoya’s airy, hypnotic tone in a way that just works.

There’s something really subtle but addictive about it, like it slowly pulls you in the longer you listen. Lyrically it leans into that feeling of being a little too lost in someone, where everything feels easy and you’re not thinking too hard about anything, just existing in it. That energy carries into the music video, which was shot in Vilnius, Lithuania and leans into surreal moments like a car crash that make the whole thing feel slightly off in a really cool way. As her first new release since This Is How Tomorrow Moves, it feels like a return that’s familiar. – Jesse

“Doesn’t Just Happen” – James Blake ft. Dave
Release date – March 13

“Doesn’t Just Happen” by James Blake featuring Dave is one of those tracks that feels heavy in a really intentional way. It opens with this really cool moment that sounds like swelling strings layered over a super crisp, almost hypnotic beat, immediately pulling you into the world of the song. It’s minimal but textured in that way James Blake does so well, where every sound feels carefully placed. His vocals come in restrained but still hit.

Then, Dave steps in and shifts the energy just enough, bringing a more grounded, clear-eyed perspective that cuts through the haze. The contrast between them works perfectly, Blake floating in the emotion while Dave anchors it. It’s a song about how things, especially relationships and personal growth, don’t just fall into place on their own, and you really feel that tension the whole way through. It’s also quickly become one of the standout tracks from the album, and it makes sense. Bringing Dave into the mix opens the song up to a wider audience, especially his fanbase, but it never feels like a gimmick. If anything, it taps into the fact that UK rap is really having a moment right now, and Dave continues to prove why he’s at the center of that conversation. Definitely one that pulls you in, but don’t stop there, go run the full album. – Jesse

“Miyazaki” – Paris Paloma
Release date – March 17

26-year-old singer-songwriter Paris Paloma has ever shied away from writing political her music. Her name may look familiar from the massive hit, “labour,” which she released back in 2024—and has since been streamed nearly 400 million times on Spotify alone.

The artist’s newest single, “Miyazaki,” was inspired by Studio Ghibli director Hayao Miyazaki and the various statements he has made opposing AI and how it has infiltrated art, which started a decade ago. Paris Paloma explains: “I wrote this song about art, about the burning, urgent desire to create art as my way of making sense of the world, and as my way of resisting darkness and hatred. It’s a defiant song, about defending the human need of artistic creation in a world that is increasingly devaluing it in the face of AI.”

Paloma’s songwriting has always been powerful, but feels even more poignant with the release of “Miyazaki,” and many other artists have shown support on social media for the song and how the rise of AI is impacting the artistic process. “I’m not a violent person but I make things with aggression, I’m not a violent person but my work is one exception,” she sings on the pre-chorus. With so much of the world accepting AI being woven into our daily lives, it’s safe to say we’ll continue to see more pushback in creative spaces. – Kristin

“Bodyfeeling” – Underscores
Release date – March 17

Underscores dropped her third album, U, through a livestream performance at a Bay Area mall in late March. It was refreshing, and new, and highly anticipated given the earlier release of three singles from the album: “Music,” “Do It,” and “Tell Me (U Want It).” I first heard of Underscores thanks to the remix for “Do It,” because it featured Yves, former member of the K-pop group LOONA, now a blossoming soloist in her own right. Their sounds, electronic and K-pop, meshed together in a perfect duo. As I scoured her discography, I found that each of her videos were fresh, exciting, and bursting with early 2000s pop motifs. I completely bought into her genius. As she shows in the livestream and her trademark headphone-dyed hair, she is building a whole new world for her music. 

It’s incredibly hard to pick a favorite off the album, and I find a new one every week as the lyrics change in resonance to me based on my mood. “Innuendo (I Get U)” stole my heart first, then “Bodyfeeling” had me dancing in my seat. But most recently, I’ve become fond of “Wish U Well,” which closes the album and vividly illustrates the end of a relationship. But it’s not just sad—the intro is alive, a soundscape of voice recordings, elevator dings, and static adjustments. Combined with the very R&B guitar, it’s a song that feels sincere and relatable, yet innovative. Although U takes a more palatable pop-forward approach than her previous releases, as long-time fans expressed, in my opinion, it’s a perfect introduction to Underscores. – Mendy