Top Picks of February 2026!
Hello all! Here I have all the singles I found during February from amazing upcoming artists. There were so many releases, which is why this is coming to you a few days into March; lots of debuts and even more AMAZING songs that will have you obsessed. This is the first time while creating these “listicles” that I had a hard time narrowing down what was the best of the best because everything was that good. There are a lot of indie rock and pop songs, perfect to listen to while the snow melts! Hope you enjoy!
Berlin - Quiet Light
experimental folk pop
Opening with a beautiful sequence of some of the most stunning and whispery vocals you’ve ever heard, haunting violins, and piano chords, Quiet Light sets the stage for her upcoming album Blue Angel Sparkling Silver 2. “Berlin,” being the first single off this project, cannot help but get the listener excited to see what comes next. After the first initial verse of a stripped-down melody, a lively beat comes in, creating a sense of desperation highlighted in the lyrics. Throughout the entire song, there’s a yearning for someone, and the defeat of being heartbroken and betrayed is laid bare, creating a raw sense of emotion. The song ends with a slow saxophone solo, creating solace and acceptance of one's feelings. “Berlin” is an exquisite soundscape, unlike anything I’ve heard before. Check out the single here and keep up with Quiet Light @quietlight_forever
Right To Live - No Weapon
hardcore
No Weapon’s band name comes from the quote “no weapon against me shall prosper,” which, as they explained in an interview with Knifetwister Records, means to them “Overcoming our obstacles, trauma, and daily lives.” It’s no surprise that with such a political name, their first single, “Right To Live,” is the output of frustration with fascism growing in America, and as daily life conditions just get worse, everyone sits idly by. The song starts with an intense bass line and then gets right into the lead singer, Nate, singing “Who can afford the right to live? (Why must we pay?)/The one who said that we don’t have? (The one that takes away),” being as clear as he can be with his messaging. The fast pace gives the sense of urgency, as their goal with the song was a “demand for change and a call for action.” Sonically, this is one of the best hardcore songs I’ve heard in the past year. Each instrument, when combined in its own strong aspects, creates an insanely moshable sound. I can’t wait to go to a show, hear this one live, and see what else No Weapon has up their sleeve with future releases. Find the single here, and catch a live show of No Weapon by keeping up with their Instagram @noweaponbkhc!!
EVERY SECOND COUNTS - flatroom !!
pop, dance, electronic
As everyone has said for the past couple of years, one of the biggest indicators of a recession in culture is the revival of pop and dance music. This single is such a great example of it. “EVERY SECOND COUNTS” is a pop masterpiece. flatroom !! takes late 2000s - early 2010s pop music and refreshes it, creating a ‘20s club hit. The infectious beat, fun bass, clean vocals, and an earworm of a melody are reminiscent of the Pitbull era of club music mixed with an almost Justin Bieber pop and a hyper-pop influence. The almost-dubstep-like breakdown at the end completes the song in such a satisfying way. This song is the type of song that when you’re about to leave the club, and you hear the DJ start playing this one, you gotta stay for it to dance. This single was accompanied by a music video featuring a group of furries, goths, emos, and other alternative people dancing behind flatroom !!, which is a perfect encapsulation of how the rave/hyper-pop scene is a cross-section of people from all different subcultures. Go listen to “EVERY SECOND COUNTS” here and keep up with flatroom !! @flatroomvr
Wasteman - Nautics
indie rock
The Nautics have been a staple band in the NYC underground indie-rock circuit for their 11-year lifespan. Their newest single proves that they aren’t going anywhere. “Wasteman” showcases the band’s growth and experimentation. The guitar has a crunchy tone that makes the song feel like the perfect summer tune to roll down the windows and sunroof, driving down a coastal road as the sun sets. The verse melody is very catchy, and the vocal harmonies in the chorus are refreshing. The end of the song features an interesting electronic version of the vocals that adds another layer of depth. It reminds me slightly of Wallows’ Model era, when they still had the fun, upbeat melodies, but with a bit of moodiness and attitude with the lyrics and vocals. Definitely a song you can both dance and cry to. Listen to it here and follow @official__nautics for updates, seems like they may be coming out with more music soon…
Baby - dwn bad
indie-rock, bedroom-pop, alternative
There is truly a lot of fun indie-rock and pop experiments right now. dwn bad, at least for me, is one of the forerunners for this melancholy, almost foreboding sound that is kind of a mix of Djo’s debut Twenty Twenty and Mac DeMarco’s Salad Days. In his latest single “Baby,” it is ever more clear that his music will be a part of my life forever (and I hope yours too!). The guitar riff sets the mood for an echoey sense of wanting something more. The vocals transport you to a different dimension as they’re soft and layered, conveying this need for someone as the lyrics portray. He is not just confessing but professing his love for this person and how timeless this passion is for them, which is reflected in the yearning atmosphere he creates. Listen to the single on any major streaming platform and follow @dwn__bad for updates!
tsunami (demo) - inlimerence.
emo, skramz
I am truly living for the emo and skramz revival these past couple of years, and I’m glad to see some finally coming from New York (if y’all know any other bands from NY that sound like this… don’t gatekeep and tell me!). Earlier in the month, inlimerence. released their first demo on Bandcamp, and it is heartwrenching. It starts with heavy, distraught vocals that make it feel like a wound is opening up. The grungy, fuzzy guitars drive the sound and emotion in this release, allowing all the emotion to be brought out onto the table, splayed open. You can hear not only the raw grief in the lyrical content, but also in the instrumental and screams of the lead vocalist, Gabe. The roughness of the sound, whether it's from it being a demo or purposeful, really adds to the emotional intensity of the song, as grief can be messy and sprawling, even uncontrollable. It’s definitely a demo you need to check out if you’re as excited about the emo & skramz revival as I am. I’m excited to see what they do next. Find the demo on Bandcamp and follow them @inlimerence.ny!!
Diet Cheat Lite - Firstsex
gothic dance, post-punk
The NYC duo Firstsex has been rising in notoriety in the post-punk scene, and for good reason. Their debut single, “Diet Cheat Lite,” comes after two years of playing shows around the boroughs and exemplifies their live, fun spirit in recording. The synths are addictive and will make you want to dance until your feet fall off. The lyrics are coarse, harsh, but brutally honest. As a woman, it's so relatable – the lyrics exemplify trying to get your friend to stop being delusional, stand up, and get the fuck out of the toxic relationship that they’re in. There’s an attitude in both the lyrics and the sound itself, allowing for the moodiness of their gothic and post-punk inspirations. Their Instagram bio describes themselves as “slumberparty-core,” which I couldn’t agree more. It's a fun dance tune that you can definitely hear in the club. Find the single here and follow them @_firstsex_!
no quiero ser tu amigo - feel trip.
Spanish indie-rock
feel trip. is an Ecuadorian and Polish indie-rock duo that creates songs in both English and Spanish. Their latest single, “no quiero ser tu amigo,” is about exactly what the title entails: a story about how the lead singer doesn’t want to be friends with someone anymore. Typical of the 2000s and late 2010s era of indie-rock that they are drawing inspiration from (after all, they have called themselves the Spanish version of The Strokes), the instrumental is upbeat and fun, yet the lyrical content is cynical and somewhat self-reflective. The twangy guitar reminds me of the 2017-2019 indie era that defined my high school experience, where I would’ve been scrolling through Instagram and accidentally coming across this song and becoming obsessed with it, to the point where I’d probably start my morning commute every day with that song for months. It’s infectious and instantly puts you in a nostalgic mood. I’m excited to see what’s next for this duo. You can find the song on major streaming platforms and follow them @feeltrip.musica on Instagram!
Honest - ideasforconversations
electropop
The duo ideasforconversations have been making a splash in the NYC independent music scene. As one of the first singles off their recently released EP No Bad Words, “Honest” is a thrilling number that hooks you in immediately. The fast-paced synths create an imminent feeling, keeping you on your toes as you listen. There's a sense of a post-punk attitude and inspiration, particularly the vocals being crisp and brief. There’s a lot of layered vocals as well, which adds a mysterious vibe to it that makes you want to listen more. There are so many gems of sound you pick up every time you listen to the song. It’s definitely a dancing song, which is why I will tell you to catch one of their sets in NYC to dance to this and the many other hits they have, especially off their debut EP. Listen to “Honest” on any major streaming platform and keep up with them @ideasforconversations
Runt - Jay Veil
punk
Although it has a short runtime of under a minute and thirty seconds, the newest single from Pennsylvania punk Jay Veil is definitely one you won’t forget. Taking heavy influence from the raw 70s punk sound, bringing conviction to the stage. The uproar of guitars adds to this, allowing his lyrics to be more poignant than ever. Veil speaks on being tired of things being the same in the world and how the powerful underestimate his and the people united’s strength. He begins the song with “They’re going for a mass extinction event/I don’t want any part of this shit/So I’ll die on my knees with my eyes to the sun,” demonstrating his frustration and refusal to participate in systems that abuse people. “Runt” is a great song to get your frustrations out with the world. Go listen to it here and follow him @jayveilsucks to keep up with upcoming releases and shows!
fig, i want it all. - Mikah Amani
folk
Mikah Amani is a folk musician from Florida who creates beautiful arrangements that’ll leave you stunned. His latest single, “fig, i want it all.” picks up an echoey acoustic guitar, creating a haunting yet mellow atmosphere. The fingerpicking melody creates a sense of withdrawn hurt, as he dwells on a past relationship and the heartache of not wanting someone to leave. Listeners can really feel the betrayal in his voice and words, as the lyrics are incredibly poetic. “I took our story for a spin while you were sleeping/I rode it down at midnight, and I think it's worth the reading/A sunless hour paints the world in quiet silver” is such gorgeous writing and portrays a clear scene. Amani is very talented, and I’m so excited to hear more from him, as he is releasing a new single this month! Listen to “fig, i want it all.” here and follow him @mikah.amani for updates about his next releases!
Do it all - SliccMic
pop
NYC-based pop artist SliccMic is a master at creating great pop songs. Her latest drop, after a two-year break, “Do it all,” showcases that she can make a pop song with any influence. Now having a more R&B influence with this single than previous work, she creates a confident anthem that’s perfect for pregames and nights out with the girls. The sound is definitely 2000s and 2020s pop it-girl inspired, taking the likes of Doja Cat, yet is stylish and innovative like SliccMic’s previous works. Although she has softer vocals in this release, she is still expressing certitude within her lyrics, flexing on all her haters. The beat is cutesy and fun, and the small synth sounds enormously add to the atmosphere. It’s a short but sweet song you need to add to your playlists. Listen to “Do it all” on all major streaming platforms and follow @sliccmic to keep up with future releases.
Unlimited - Crab
indie-rock, alternative
Starting with reverbed and overdriven layered guitars, indie rock band Crab sets a plaintive and somber scene of a dying love on their latest single, “Unlimited.” Reflecting on a relationship that just doesn’t seem to work, soft feelings of nostalgia are presented by the harmonies of the co-ed vocals. The repetition of “my heart” throughout the verses will be stuck in your head for days and displays the desperation of trying to figure out how to end things, if they should even be ended. The switch between the slow and fast beats between the verses and choruses reflects the ups and downs at the end of a relationship. The guitar solo in the end ties up the song perfectly, encapsulating the intense emotions of the heartbroken. It’s perfect if you need a catchy song to focus on during a breakup. Listen to the song here and follow @crab.www for updates!
Bicurious George - The Schwegs
pop-punk, alternative
The Schwegs are a fem-fronted pop-punk and grunge band from New York that has many 90s influences. “Bicurious George,” their latest single, definitely draws from the sounds of Courtney Love, Alanis Morrisette, and Gwen Stefani. The song opens up with a fun, memorable riff with familiar pop-punk distortion, and then gets into an assertive verse, where lead singer Emma Montenegro speaks on a man leaving her dissatisfied in a relationship. The chorus gets into a jumpy beat, where the listener can picture themselves with their friend going crazy in the pit at Warped Tour. Throughout the entire song, Montenegro’s vocals are so strong, I’m obsessed with her little vocal flips; they’re so satisfying to listen to. This song makes me excited to get into their discography, which I urge you to do as well! Find the song here and follow @the_schwegs to keep up with them!
PLEASE, TEXT ME BACK! (feat. Peter Wellman) - nomillionaires
pop, bedroom pop
This debut is a lighthearted one, showing the exciting nature of the upcoming artist nomillionaires. With clever lyrics (my favorite being “If I really wanted the time and space/I’d go cop a real Bill Nye”), they wrestle with the feelings of wanting someone back, even though they know it won’t be good for them. The song is a bit funky, as the bass line in the chorus brings a liveliness to the melody, which will get you up dancing. Their voice is smooth and buttery, creating a chill and vibey experience. I can totally see myself listening to this one on a cool summer day near the pool. I’m so thrilled to see what they release next! Listen to “PLEASE, TEXT ME BACK!” here and keep up with them on Instagram @nomillionaires_music!
I really hope you found something that you love. I truly adore each of these songs and am very excited to see more from these artists! See you again very soon, hopefully with a show review :)
