Alongside the typical countdown to prom, summer, and other big milestones in a school year, 2026 leaves students searching streaming platforms for any releases of new music. Noah Kahan, Harry Styles, and Bruno Mars have all announced upcoming albums that have become highly anticipated throughout the school.
Known for his lyrical, folk music, Kahan gained a large following after the release of his third album “Stick Season” in 2022. Following this release, Kahan released an extension of this album in 2023, attracting even more listeners.
On Jan. 30, Kahan gave fans an early look at his upcoming album with the release of the title track, “The Great Divide.” Throughout the last year, Kahan teased songs off this new album by sharing snippets on social media and at concerts. The full album is not set to be released until April 24, yet fans are still attempting to decipher his easter eggs, including deciphering the meaning of posts made on his alternate TikTok account, “thelastofthebugs.”
“I really like listening to Noah Kahan’s music because it puts me in a good mood and makes me feel nostalgic,” sophomore Mary Fadden said. “I love his lyrics because I really resonate with them.”
Though Kahan warned fans that things would start happening quickly, no one could anticipate the extent of what he had planned. Kahan released the music video to his single only a few days after the single dropped and continued to rapidly release information. Directly after the video dropped, Kahan’s North American Tour was announced, with dates throughout the summer of 2026 with special guest Gigi Perez.
“I am so excited that he is going back on tour,” Fadden said. “I am doing everything I can get tickets because I really want to hear him live. My favorite album to listen to is the live from Fenway Park, so being able to hear him live would be insane.”
Another artist that students are buzzing about is Harry Styles, whose fan base is known for its radiant energy public postings. Styles’ fans have his upcoming album, “Kiss All the Time. Disco, Occasionally,” to look forward to, which is set to release March 6. This is Styles’s first release since the massive success of “Harry’s House” in 2022.
“I’ve been listening to Harry Styles since he was in One Direction,” senior Kate McCarthy said. “I had a feeling that he was planning on releasing something soon, and I can’t wait to hear the album.”
Following the album announcement, Styles also revealed his tour titled “Together, Together.” So far, Styles has announced multiple international stops and nearly 30 shows in New York City alone. The tour announcement included the various artists that will be joining him at select locations including: Robyn, Shania Twain, Jorja Smith, Skye, Newman, and others. For many fans, the tour offers a chance to experience the new album in a live setting surrounded by others’ who share their love for Styles’s welcoming music.
Bruno Mars adds another layer of excitement to the year, especially for students who have enjoyed his releases over the years. Despite the fact that Mars hasn’t had a solo release in ten years, students still excitedly wait for the release of “The Romantic” on Feb 27.
As students count down to the release date, many are also looking ahead to tour dates, giving fans another reason to be excited. Mars announced his 2026 tour with various locations in the US and internationally. Mars even confirmed that Anderson .Paak will be joining him for all stops of the tour and Leon Thomas, Raye, and Victoria Monet will be opening in select cities.
“I got tickets for “The Romantic” in May with my best friend,” junior Claire Dolafi said. “I can’t wait to see Bruno Mars live and hear not just his new album, but all of his music.
As fans wait for more announcements and release dates, one thing is clear: whether it’s folk, pop, or funk-inspired hits, new music continues to bring students together and give them something to look forward to.
