REFLECTION’s ones to watch 2026
ps: none of these are in a specific order, we love them all just the same.
Happy new year REFLECTors! To start off 2026 we thought we’d put you on to our ones to watch for this year. We really hope they make it even further this year, or become the next TikTok superstar!
20. chlo3pie
One of our favourite artists we interviewed in 2025, Chlo3pie is leading the next generation of hyperpop. With MLP inspired tracks such as ‘‘Pony Tones‘‘ and ‘‘Little Dress‘‘, Chlo3pie has shown that she really ‘don’t care’ what people say about her, and that she is ready to figh for the confidence of girls all over the world.
For fans of: Katy Perry, Stray Kids
19. angeli
If you have not heard the infectious lyric that everyone can relate to ‘‘I want a fat house with a heavy door, big gates to keep out the poor‘‘ on your TikTok for you page, you have not only missed out on the biggest South-Asian diva in UK Pop, but you’ve also misssed out on Angeli, a pop powerhouse that sings about topics that probably didn’t go down well at your family Christmas dinner, but who cares what they think anyways?
For fans of: FKA Twigs, GFOTY
18. MIlune
Milune’s ‘got that gift‘ of making any love song sound so much more heartfelt and making it resonate with the queer community 10 times better than anyone else out there. With a debut album (‘‘Hearts Lust‘‘) behind her, 2026 will kick off her sophomore Album roll out and we can’t wait to see what’s in store.
For fans of: Chappell Roan, Clairo
17. leah kate
Founder-favourite and VOL.4 cover-star, Leah Kate released her sophomoe album last November and announced a world tour. What sets her apart is her ability to be witty, and also make sure she gets right to the core, all in the same lyric, and I hope she goes even further than she did last year.
For fans of: Olivia Rodrigo, Avril Lavigne
16. Ricki Ayela
With 2 EPs under her belt being released in 2020 and 2024, 2026 marks a shift for Canadian pop princess Ricki Ayela, as she will be releasing her debut album, in two parts. What sets her apart from the crowd is the fact that she is not afraid to speak up on things that others will not, and yes she will name-drop you if you do her wrong. As a follower of Ricki’s music since 2023, I can’t wait for the album and I know she’s going to shock us all.
For fans of: Dua Lipa, Ava Max
15. Calea
Switzerland’s next pop star Calea is no stranger to REFLECTION, having graced the cover of our Spring 2025 issue (alongside Mimi Greene and Rini K). Calea really craved her own path after the release of her EP resonate last year, building a tight-knit fanbase of Catleas and actively engaging with them on social media. Fans describe her as a genre-hopping safe space, and I couldn’t agree more. With introspective songs like Golden Coast and Blue, and upbeat tracks like fan-favourites SOS and Unlocked, Calea has something for everyone, and we can’t wait to see what she does this year.
For fans of: Eileen Alister, Tate McRae
14. Bettina
An artist filled with bold responses and cheekiness to the gossip and rumors that have swirled around her, Bettina’s music poses as a challenge to those who claim to know her better than she knows herself, blending experimental pop with hip-hop-inspired beats. Her vocals remind me of early 2010s alt-pop, while feeling extremely fresh and I can’t wait to see what she does in 2026.
For fans of: Tate McRae, RAYE
13. moreofthem
Featured in VOL.4, moreofthem is making waves as one of the largest non-binary producers in London. Having released their reconfigured EP this year, and playing multiple gigs across London opening for the likes of MARiMARi, they have got themselves set for stardom in 2026, with a new project on it’s way very soon.
For fans of: Yeule, Piri & Tommy
12. baby bugs
Alt-Pop artist Baby Bugs had a fantastic 2025, releasing their deluxe album, 3 new singles from a new project and embarking on a North American tour were some of many feats, but what makes Baby Bugs stand out to me most is their ethereality, and whimsiness, which I have never seen an artist grasp as well as they do.
For fans of: Ethel Cain, Melanie Martinez
11. idathehoney
Having started 2025 with her Album release, and finishing it with a brand new single, Idathehoney, Switzerland’s most diverse artist originally started music to numb her tics as she suffers from Tourette's syndrome. She creates music in both English and German, and her Album THIS IS SOUND flows so effortlessly you don’t even notice the language change. She was also featured in VOL.5 of our print magazine.
For fans of: girl in red, FLETCHER
10. mimi greene
Mimi Greene is an Artist you definitely shouldn’t miss, having opened up for Sofia Camara, Pablo Brooks, Hanniou and more on International tours, Mimi was able to grace every crowd she performed in front of with infectious beats, heartfelt lyrics, and the sweetest fandom of ‘pickles‘ ever. I hope 2026 will be even better for Mimi Greene, and that she outdoes herself yet again.
For fans of: Sofia Camara, Alessi Rose
09. lavinia
LAVINIA, cover star of our first ever issue that released way back on October the 7th 2024 has had a stellar career since then, charting twice in the UK, 5 times in Germany, and getting millions of views on social media. LAVINIA is set to release her first major project next year, with fan favourite single ‘Never Be The Same‘, and many other songs that will return to her roots of acoustic pop, while meshing with her new persona of ‘leader of the cxnt club’, and I can’t wait to see it.
For fans of: Charli XCX, Lorde
08. lydia may
Well we couldn’t create our ones to watch list without including this drop dead gorgeous star girl could we? Lydia May makes rock unlike anyone else in the industry at the moment, turning the 2020s “alt pop girlies” wave into something distinctly her own, blending theatrical roots with rich, emotionally led songwriting she describes as “odd and wonderful”. With sold-out shows, a devoted fanbase and an EP on the way, Lydia May is planting the seeds of a career that feels both deeply personal and destined to grow. She also graced the alt-cover of our 6th Volume.
For fans of: Poppy, Eileen Alister
07. lenii
The woman that inspired founder, Tarun to create REFLECTION Magazine, after a conversation about him asking amazing, open and witty questions in a fandom ‘‘lentil’‘ zoom call, Lenii is a pioneer of the Alt Z genre. She released her third Ep in 2024, and 3 singles for her next project in 2025, and all of them were so diverse with ‘HOLD ME BACK‘ showcasing her violin skills, ‘I Like It A Lot‘ her rap flow, and Goldfish Brain being THE song of the Summer for 2025 with visuals filmed in her apartment swimming pool, she is one of the most diverse artists out there.
For fans of: Mothica, Grimes
06. nucya
At just 18 years old, Nucya isn’t your average ‘‘guitar pop‘‘ artist. Nucya has a way of encompassing rage, sadness, and the tiny glimmer of hope you get after crying into a song so effortlessly. 2026 will see her release her debut EP, and I’m so excited to give it a listen.
For fans of: Idathehoney, Zoe Fengari
05. bbyclose
Okay, we’ve reached the big leagues! At number 5 we have got possibly the biggest artist in the world to fly under everyone’s radar (at 9M monthly listeners), providing vocals on songs such as Kisses and On & On, bbyclose, one of my favourite dance artists at the moment. bbyclose’s goal for next year is to continue to paint the picture of who bbyclose really is as there’s a lot of people out there who know all the words and can sing along to theirsongs but they don’t necessarily know them. Their latest track ‘ego’ seems to me, like bbyclose really introducing themselves and bringing everyone into their fun, silly, feminine and confident world of bad bitches and I can’t wait to see what they do next.
For fans of: Nova May, Kenya Grace
04. erin lecount
Erin LeCount is a rising pop artist carving out her space with emotionally sharp songwriting and a sound that feels both intimate and effortlessly polished, which is getting increasingly rare in the industry at the moment, She blends diary-like honesty with modern pop transforming heartbreak and self-reflection into songs that linger long after the first listen. She’s a must for your 2026 radar.
For fans of: Fiona Apple, Imogen Heap
03. alessi rose
English singer-songwriter Alessi Rose who’s quickly turned heads across the U.K. and beyond is THE moment. After gaining traction last year with acclaimed EPs like ‘‘For Your Validation’’ and ‘‘Voyeur’’, she did not only sell out headline shows but also hit the road in 2025 as an opening act for Dua Lipa’s Radical Optimism Tour and Tate McRae’s Miss Possessive Tour, With growing global buzz, Alessi Rose is solidifying her spot as a breakout voice in pop and it will be super exciting to see what 2026 has in store for her.
For fans of: Gracie Abrams, Olivia Rodrigo
02. Beth mckenzie
Brutally honest lyrics and a vibrant sound is what quickly makes one of the most compelling emerging voices in UK pop; Beth McKenzie. From dissecting internalized homophobia in ‘‘Don’t Tell My Boyfriend’’ to confronting betrayal and resilience in ‘‘Inside Out’’ she creates candid, emotionally rich songs that resonate with queer and Gen-Z audiences alike. With her debut EP ‘‘Does This Make Me A Bitter Woman?’’ showcasing a fearless blend of indie pop and alternative edge, Beth McKenzie is THE queer artist to watch for 2026.
For fans of: Lorde, Erin LeCount
01. eileen alister
Eileen Alister is a Zurich-born pop singer whose emotionally rich bedroom pop and dark-tinged hooks have earned her a devoted following across Europe. Her breakout began with the house-pop gem Voices (one of my personal favourite tracks of hers) and continued through Lifetime Lover, leading to sold-out shows from London to Zurich and a major European tour behind her debut album Honeymoon in a Motel, proving her rise is more than just a sapphire blue moment. Eileen was also spotlighted as a cover artist in REFLECTION Magazine VOL. 6, where she shared space with other emerging creatives. But what marks Eileen as one to watch is how she blends raw vulnerability with a fearless identity.
For fans of: Lana Del Rey, Reneé Rapp
Thank you so much for supporting us in 2025! We can’t wait to show you what we’ve been working on over Christmas in a couple of weeks, and hope you have a lovely new year - Tarun & Anna (founders)
