The days are getting longer, the temperatures are rising, and playlists are filling up for the season. With summer around the corner, Spotify’s global editors have been keeping a close eye on the musical landscape and are ready to unveil the songs they think could shape this year’s soundtrack.
“I think above everything, we all know that a song of the summer is about the vibes,” said Talia Kraines, Editorial Lead, Pop at Spotify. “It’s a song that makes you feel good, that you can listen to outside in the sunshine with your friends, and that has the ability to travel across genres, people, and countries.”
From hot new releases to chart-climbing anthems and surprise viral hits, our picks are made for beach days, road trips, rooftop parties, and everything in between.
And for the first time, we’re letting listeners predict the song they think will be the season’s biggest hit with in-app voting. Just tap “Vote” at the top of the Songs of Summer playlist, then share your pick on social media or via Spotify Messages.
Songs of Summer 2026 predictions
Dance music is a summer staple, but this year we’re seeing several party-ready tracks turning up the heat with a nostalgic twist. “New Religion” (Bebe Rexha and Faithless) and “Jamaican (Bam Bam)” (HUGEL and SOLTO) sample sounds from summers past, while “Talk To You” (ANOTR and 54 Ultra) and “DANCE…” (Slayyyter) channel disco, ’90s house, and early 2000s French electronica.
But the energy doesn’t stop there. Artists from Ghana to Colombia are keeping partygoers moving this season with internationally-inspired sounds. “Kakalika” by DopeNation fuses Ghanaian azonto with South African Amapiano, while “CHÉVERE” by ARIA VEGA and Ryan Castro brings Caribbean and Latin Afrobeats energy.
Sadboy summer is also trending. Songs like “Freakin’ Out” by Dexter and The Moonrocks, “Babydoll” by Dominic Fike, and “Earrings” by Malcolm Todd are perfect for nights when you’re looking for something moodier.
And for storytelling in song, country is taking us places. Ella Langley’s “Choosin’ Texas” and STELLA LEFTY’s “Boston” are rooted in specific locations, evoking the warmth and reflection of long summer nights.
Without further ado, here are Spotify’s 2026 Songs of Summer predictions, listed in alphabetical order by artist first name.
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- “Talk To You (ft. 54 Ultra)” – ANOTR, 54 Ultra
- “CHÉVERE (premium_remix)” – ARIA VEGA, Ryan Castro
- “hate that I made you love me” – Ariana Grande
- “New Religion” – Bebe Rexha, Faithless
- “Kingdom of Fear” – Cameron Whitcomb
- “Bangaranga” – DARA
- “Raindance (feat. Tems)” – Dave, Tems
- “Freakin’ Out” – Dexter and The Moonrocks
- “Babydoll” – Dominic Fike
- “E85” – Don Toliver
- “Kakalika” – DopeNation
- “Janice STFU” – Drake
- “Choosin’ Texas” – Ella Langley
- “NOBLE” – F3miii
- “L.U.C.K.Y” – Fcukers
- “Jamaican (Bam Bam)” – HUGEL, SOLTO (FR)
- “Mexico Honey” – Kacey Musgraves
- “Earrings” – Malcolm Todd
- “Maladie” – Mauvais djo
- “Doors” – Noah Kahan
- “drop dead” – Olivia Rodrigo
- “KOKO” – Omar Courtz
- “Girl Like Me” – PinkPantheress
- “Free Your Mind” – Prospa, Cloonee
- “Rein Me In (with Olivia Dean)” – Sam Fender, Olivia Dean
- “DANCE…” – Slayyyter
- “Boston” – STELLA LEFTY
- “Dracula – JENNIE Remix” – Tame Impala, JENNIE
- “Self Aware” – Temper City
- “Midnight Sun” – Zara Larsson
Whether it’s a pop powerhouse, an Afrobeats groove, or a dancefloor-ready hit, these songs all have one thing in common: the potential to define summer 2026.
Stay tuned! We’ve got more surprises coming all summer long.
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