New Music Roundup: anjimile, WU LYF, and a Wave of Emerging Artists Define the Sound of 2026
A diverse range of artists are shaping the musical landscape, offering everything from introspective indie rock to explosive hip-hop and cathartic post-punk. This week’s standout releases signal a vibrant year ahead for music, with established acts and rising stars alike pushing creative boundaries.
Anjimile Previews “You’re Free to Go” with Indie Rock Nuance
Former “CoSign” artist Anjimile is set to release his new album, You’re Free to Go, on March 13th, and has offered a compelling preview with the single “Like You Really Mean It.” According to one critic, the track showcases Anjimile’s “lush, patient vocals” and a uniquely captivating rhythmic structure. The song’s dynamic shifts, particularly in the chorus where the drummer intentionally offsets the groove, create a sense of captivating tension. this culminates in a powerful refrain featuring “guitar shredding and open hi-hat smashing,” demonstrating Anjimile’s ability to seamlessly blend musicality with lyrical themes.
BunnaB Declares Independence with “SEEUMSAYIN”
Atlanta rapper BunnaB delivers a defiant energy on her new single, “SEEUMSAYIN.” Set against a driving “jersey club beat with booming bass and infectious chimes,” the track is a concise statement of self-assuredness. “I don’t care if they like me,I don’t care if they don’t/ I get the money,it’s okay,” BunnaB raps,embodying a spirit of unapologetic ambition. Building on the success of her 2025 album Sweet lick, BunnaB is poised for a breakout year in 2026.
By Storm Confronts Grief and Forges Ahead with “and I Dance”
The Phoenix-based hip-hop duo By Storm,comprised of surviving members of Injury Reserve,RiTchie and Parker Corey,are preparing to debut under their new moniker with My Ghosts Go Ghost. The album is a deeply personal project, created in the wake of the tragic passing of Jordan Groggs. The lead single, “And I Dance,” is described as an “expressive, emotional piece of left-field hip-hop” that fearlessly explores grief through “auto-tuned crooning, clattering percussion, and production that sounds like it’s actively destroying the track itself.”
Draag’s “NSPS” Offers a Dreamy Shoegaze Escape
Los Angeles shoegazers Draag return with “NSPS,” a single from their upcoming Miracle Drug EP. The track embodies the band’s signature sound, characterized by “warmth permeating
Fever Ray’s “The Sound It Made,” from Two Wheels Move the Soul, is a high-octane burst of energy. The track is characterized by “cranked guitar tones, furious drumming, and a bass line that sounds more like a bomb dropping.” The vocals match the intensity, delivering lines like “All systems go again/ Will it ever stop/ Don’t know” with unwavering conviction.
WU LYF Returns with the Epic “Tib st.Tabernacle”
After a decade-plus hiatus, WU LYF continues their resurgence with “Tib St. Tabernacle,” an ambitious 11-minute track.The song evolves from a “contemplative groove into a cathartic, blistering explosion of emotive post-punk,” demonstrating the band’s continued ability to create dynamic and immersive soundscapes. The track is a testament to the band’s revitalized creative spirit and a promising sign of things to come.
