From chart-topping stars to emerging artists, these 20 songs span pop, rock, country, and more — and they’ve been the soundtrack to my year (so far).

I’m a pop-culture writer covering everything from TV and movies, to music, Broadway, books, and games.

Between high-profile releases from Olivia Rodrigo and Gracie Abrams to rising artists like Presley Regier and Naomi Scott, my playlist has been thriving.

As someone who spends a lot of time interviewing musicians and listening to new music, I'm always searching for songs that stop me in my tracks. The 20 songs below are the ones I've found myself returning to over and over, whether it's a lyric that makes me emotional, a haunting melody that continuously runs through my head, or a killer guitar riff that pulls me in.

So, in no particular order, here are the 20 songs that defined my year (so far).

Favorite lyric: "It all breaks down, it always does/It all works out, it always does"

I first saw Holly Humberstone open for Olivia Rodrigo's Sour tour, and her career has only taken off since then. Cruel World is an excellent album, and "To Love Somebody" immediately hooked me. With an infectious chorus and an undeniable charm, it's the kind of song that makes you smile and hit repeat.

Favorite lyric: "I'm numb 'til I'm aching for the sharp pain/Watch my blade ricochet"

Gracie Abrams has a gift for writing ethereal pop melodies, and "Hit the Wall" is no exception. The opening percussion instantly draws you in, and the track beautifully builds up to my favorite moment ("ricochet!!"). Gracie's third studio album, Daughter from Hell, will be available on July 17.

Favorite lyric: "I'll be smiling just the same/no you never could take that away"

When you get a shout-out from P!nk on her Instagram, you know you're doing something right. Brody has one of the most agile voices I've ever heard — seriously, there's a riff in the second verse that will absolutely blow you away — and his voice pairs perfectly with the blues-y melody. Written and recorded on Brody's trip to Singapore, "Smiling" is a song that pops into my head for days at a time.

Learn more about Brody's time on Broadway and his approach to songwriting in our 2025 feature.

Favorite lyric: "Stars on the lake look like a million diamonds/Let it wash all over me"

If you were lucky enough to catch one of Jon's sold-out Forest Hills shows last August, you know how magical a night it was. The energy that Jon brings to his live performances is unparalleled, and Live From Forest Hills captures it perfectly. "WASH" was already a standout on Father Figure, but the additional brass arrangement and hearing the crowd singing along elevate the live version even further.

Favorite lyric: "When you lean into the pain, you find out who you are"

Evanescence has been my favorite band since 2003, and they are back and better than ever with 2026's Sanctuary. Amy Lee is a force of nature, delivering incredible vocal performances across the 12 tracks.

As the closing song on Sanctuary, "Wide Open Heart" leaves you with an overarching message of hope. Featuring a blend of Evanescence's signature heavy guitars, sweeping orchestral arrangements, and Amy's soaring vocals — it is a fitting finale for one of my favorite albums of the year.

To learn more about Sanctuary, check out my feature with Amy Lee.

Favorite lyric: "Some people seek beyond the clouds/Some people find someone to dream about"

2026 has been a big year for Hunter Hayes. Not only does it mark the 15th anniversary of his self-titled debut album (how has time flown so quickly?), but in March, he also launched a new chapter with the release of Evergreen. An incredible musician, Hunter showcases his versatility throughout the project, even picking up instruments like the Oud for the first time.

My personal favorite track, "Dream About," features a unique chord progression (I love it when artists mix major and minor chords) and highlights the musicality that makes him such a special artist.

Favorite lyric: "I paid my fare for a show/But the lights are gone, and no one's coming"

Naomi Scott's debut album, F.I.G. (Fall Into Grace), is a stunning body of work. I've been a fan since 2011's Lemonade Mouth, and Naomi's debut album shows that she has truly found her artistic identity.

"Sweet Nausea" was the track that stood out to me most, effortlessly blending atmospheric production with Naomi's soulful vocals. At only two minutes and five seconds, this is an easy one to play on repeat.

Favorite lyric: "Did you run from what you found?"

These guys are the real deal. 2025 and 2026 have been massive years for In Color, as their debut single "Headlights" completely took off on Spotify and TikTok. Lead singer Matt Hastings has an incredible, instantly recognizable voice, and the band's chemistry seeps into every aspect of their music.

"Jet Lag Mouth" is a perfect example. The mix is extremely well-balanced with the percussion, synths, vocals, and background instruments each having its own carved-out space, while working together as a cohesive whole.

Favorite lyric: "My head is full of poison, and my heart is full of doubt"

When I first listened to "The Cure," I was speechless. The arrangement sounds like nothing we've heard from Olivia before, and the gradual build of orchestral instruments throughout the song is masterfully done.

That final "I'm unraveled" pierces through you (and somehow sounds even better live than it does in the studio). You seem pretty sad for a girl so in love is an excellent album from start to finish, but "The Cure" was the track I found myself returning to most.

Favorite lyric: "His eyes are blue like mine, but his are just a better shade/ And his clothes are all high fashion, meanwhile mine are just okay"

I stumbled upon Presley's music on TikTok, and he has quickly become one of my favorite rising artists. Starting his career as a producer for artists like Doja Cat and Coco Jones, Presley approaches his music with remarkable attention to detail.

I recently sat down with Presley to discuss his acclaimed 2026 project, Sensitive to the Room, and I told him how much the opening track, "Why Am I Here," stood out to me. The synths that fill the space in your headphones, combined with Presley's use of his voice as another instrument in the production, immediately pull you into the world of the EP.

Favorite lyric: "In all the places that you go/In the sunlight and the snow/You know I'm gonna be right here next to you"

I love the artistic direction Yungblud is taking. Idols was one of my favorite albums of 2025, and the 2026 deluxe edition, Idols (Complete), adds seven incredible tracks. Closing track "Suburban Requiem" is currently my most-played song of the year, and I love the opening guitar riff that immediately grabs you.

The combination of Yungblud's raw vocal power, acoustic and electric guitars, and orchestral arrangements creates a song that feels both intimate and larger-than-life.

Favorite lyric: "I get to miss you, I do it all of the time/I get to see you when I'm dreamin', oh, how lucky am I?"

Alex Sampson is having a breakout year. After going viral on TikTok during his Thank You For Loving Me tour, he released his Growing Pains EP and announced he'll be opening for Freya Skye this fall.

"How Lucky Am I?" is a standout track, showcasing a rock-influenced sound and a refreshing perspective on the beauty of missing someone — celebrating the idea that you're lucky enough to have someone worth longing for and dreaming about.

Learn more about Alex in our June feature.

Favorite lyric: "You got the money, honey, I got the time"

Finn Wolfhard is quickly making a name for himself in the indie-rock space, having released his debut album in 2025 and following it up with Fire From The Hip on July 10. Lead single "I'll Let You Finish" has an irresistible charm, especially in the chorus, which has been stuck in my head since I first heard it.

Favorite lyric: "I like you, but my body isn't ready/I want you, but the mirror won't let me"

When Sombr posted a sneak peek of the chorus on TikTok, I was counting down the days until the song's release. "My Body Isn't Ready" has a powerful message about body image and insecurity, and Sombr sings every line with incredible emotion. 

Complete with a music video starring Off Campus's Josh Heuston and Obsessions' Inde Navarrette, the song feels like another major step forward for one of music's fastest-rising artists.

Favorite lyric: "It kills me watching you takin' her home/But sad girls don't leave 'til the last song"

Bebe Rexha dropped one of the best albums of the summer with Dirty Blonde. It's a cohesive, authentic body of work, and you can hear the passion and drive she puts into every track.

Any song on the album could have ended up on this list, but the David Guetta collaboration "Sad Girls" stood out to me the most. Blending euphoric electropop with Bebe's vocals, it feels like a return to her roots and is the perfect close to the album.

Favorite lyric: "Regret burns like cigarettes pressed to my face"

I have to thank the Spotify algorithm for introducing me to her music, and Faouzia is an artist who instantly stopped me in my tracks. She expertly pairs acoustic instruments with haunting melodies, and "Birthday" showcases both beautifully. There's something mesmerizing about the song's atmosphere, and I'm excited to check out more of her music.

Favorite lyric: "I know the dark shows up more than we'd like/Carve it in stone so the story survives"

Dermot Kennedy knows how to write songs that tug at your heartstrings, and "Refuge" exceeds expectations. The melody is so powerful that it doesn't need a huge arrangement, and Dermot's voice shines over the gentle acoustic guitar. 

At its core, "Refuge" has a beautiful message about finding comfort in another person during life's most difficult moments. The pre-chorus is my favorite moment of the song, and possibly my favorite moment of any song in 2026 so far.

Favorite lyric: "We hide on broken glass and fast lines drowned in flame"

Quarters has been one of my favorite bands since 2022, and they didn't disappoint with their third album, I HOPE THIS ISN'T THE END OF THE WORLD. I tend to gravitate toward the beginnings and endings of albums, and closing track "Comet" hooked me from the very first seconds. In particular, the opening guitar riff is my favorite I've heard all year.

Favorite lyric: "They say you know when you know it/And you make me feel the same as Sunday"

I will forever shout from the rooftops about Charlotte Sands. My favorite thing about Charlotte's music is her ability to move effortlessly between styles, from pop-punk, melt-your-face-off bangers to acoustic, easy-listening ballads.

"Sunday," the closing track on her 2026 album Satellite, falls into the latter category: a gentle ballad about finding the right person, someone who makes every day feel a little brighter.

Favorite lyric: "The first night I felt anything/She is the time I'm living in"

Rising British indie-pop band, daydreamers, is the definition of good vibes. Their blend of acoustic instruments and synths evokes both euphoria and nostalgia in a way that feels fresh.

Single "She Is A Time I'm Living In" feels like it was made for a coming-of-age film. With pulsing guitars at the front of the mix, it's the kind of song that makes you want to roll the windows down and get lost in the moment. Don't miss their debut album Have You Tried Screaming? out now.

What are some unforgettable tracks on your 2026 playlists? Let me know in the comments below!