6 Single Recs of 2026 #1
1. Lay It Down by Tusekah
Tuseka Njoko, professionally known as Tusekah, is a singer-songwriter from South Africa living in Aotearoa. Her sound is described as a mix of neo-soul and R&B, rich in groove, delivering soulful, expressive and emotional vocals.
2. Dance The Pain Away by Haute & Freddy
Michelle Buzz and Lance Shipp are Haute & Freddy, a theatrical, eclectic duo based in LA. Their sound will transport you back to their royal court of 80s synth-pop, dance and new wave while their style and visuals are straight from the 18th century dress-up box - baroque with a circus flair.
3. Wasn’t It You? by Make Strangers
Make Strangers are a 4-piece band from Nottingham, UK. A gorgeous fusion of soul, funk, 80s pop and modern indie, their sound is toe-tapping nostalgia that will have you dancing in your bedroom.
4. Til95 by Downtown Kayoto
Downtown Kayoto is a Zimbabwean musician raised in Hull, Yorkshire, UK. He’s a singer, rapper, producer and fashion-lover, having modelled for various brands and magazine features. Despite previously describing his sound as indie/alternative R&B and hip-hop, Kayoto doesn’t define himself by genres, enjoying stepping out of his comfort zone and experimenting.
5. Raindance by Rikas
Rikas are a German 4-piece band hailing from Stuttgart, taking influence from 70s funk and blending it with elements of pop and soul to create a breezy, sunny, upbeat and retro sound.
6. Automatic Glow by The Hoosiers
Irwin Sparkes and Alan Sharland are The Hoosiers, an English indie pop-rock band that rose to fame in the 2000s with their debut album The Trick to Life (2007) ft. hits Goodbye Mr A, Worried About Ray and Cops and Robbers. Their sound is upbeat, quirky and catchy but they can also pull off melancholy, emotional tracks such as A Sadness Runs Through Him and Clinging On For Life. Sparkes’ falsetto and Sharland’s drums make for truly addictive pop that’s nostalgic for any millennial in the UK.
