Tems Makes Spotify's 2026 Songs of Summer List; Fans Can Vote In-App

Spotify has unveiled its annual Songs of Summer predictions for 2026, featuring a curated list of 30 tracks expected to define the season across the Northern Hemisphere. For the first time, listeners can vote for their own Song of the Summer directly within the app.

The list, compiled by Spotify's editorial team, spans diverse genres and artists. Nigerian singer Tems appears on the list through Dave's track 'Raindance', while Ghanaian duo DopeNation earns recognition with their Amapiano-Azonto fusion 'Kakalika', which has already gone viral in global football celebrations. Other prominent artists include Drake, Ariana Grande, and Bebe Rexha.

To vote, users simply tap the 'Vote' button at the top of the Songs of Summer playlist and share their prediction on social media. This interactive feature marks a new era for the streaming platform, allowing fans to directly influence the summer anthem conversation.

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Trends Shaping Summer 2026

Spotify's editorial team identified four key musical movements driving this year's list. Dance music leans heavily into nostalgia, with tracks like 'New Religion' by Bebe Rexha and 'Girl Like Me' by PinkPantheress sampling sounds from past summers. Zara Larsson's 'Midnight Sun' draws from 90s house and early 2000s French electronica. Global dance records are pulling inspiration across borders, with DopeNation's 'Kakalika' exemplifying cross-continental exchange.

Sadboy Summer and Postcard Country

A distinct melancholy streak runs through the season, dubbed 'Sadboy Summer', with tracks like 'Babydoll' by Dominic Fike and 'Earrings' by Malcolm Todd pushing emotional angst into mainstream summer listening. Rounding out the trends is 'Postcard Country', introspective tracks tied to specific places, led by Kacey Musgraves' 'Mexico Honey' and Noah Kahan's 'Doors'.