Spotify has unveiled its official 2026 Songs of Summer predictions, spotlighting 30 tracks the platform believes will soundtrack the Northern Hemisphere’s biggest season — with major names including Olivia Rodrigo, Ariana Grande, Drake, Bebe Rexha, Tame Impala and JENNIE making the cut.
Released on Friday (May 29), the annual editorial forecast taps into emerging listening trends and streaming momentum to identify the songs expected to dominate playlists, social feeds and festival sets over the coming months. This year also marks the first time Spotify is allowing users to directly participate in the prediction process through an in-app voting feature, letting listeners cast their pick for the season’s defining anthem.
Among the highest-profile inclusions is Olivia Rodrigo’s “drop dead,” which continues to build momentum following its breakout April release. The track recently returned to the top 10 of Spotify’s Daily Global chart after the arrival of “The Cure,” Rodrigo’s second 2026 global chart-topper, which debuted at No. 1 with 7.215 million streams on May 22. Both releases are setting the stage for her third studio album, You Seem Pretty Sad for a Girl So in Love, due June 12.
Ariana Grande also lands on the list with “hate that i made you love me,” arriving May 29 and already positioned by Spotify editors as a likely seasonal breakout. Drake’s “Janice STFU” joins the lineup alongside Bebe Rexha and Faithless’ nostalgic club-driven “New Religion,” while Tame Impala and JENNIE’s “Dracula – JENNIE Remix” is expected to gain more traction.
Spotify’s editorial team grouped this year’s selections into four defining sonic trends shaping summer 2026. Nostalgic club anthems are leading one lane, with tracks like PinkPantheress’ “Girl Like Me,” Slayyyter’s “DANCE…” and Zara Larsson’s “Midnight Sun” channeling disco textures, early 2000s French electronica and classic house influences.
Another key theme is what editors are calling “sadboy summer,” with Dominic Fike’s “Babydoll,” Malcolm Todd’s “Earrings” and Dexter and The Moonrocks’ “Freakin’ Out” embracing emotionally charged alt-pop. Elsewhere, global dance records continue to expand their reach through songs like DopeNation’s “Kakalika” and ARIA VEGA and Ryan Castro’s “CHÉVERE,” while “postcard country” emerges as an introspective thread led by Noah Kahan, Kacey Musgraves and Ella Langley. The list also features the infectious “Bangaranga” by Dara, which recently won the Eurovision Song Contest.
Photo: Spotify
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