The 10 Best Songs of June 2026

We've selected ten tracks from the twenty featured in Paste's weekly Best New Songs column. These are the songs that will come to the table as the strongest contenders when discussions about the best of the year begin in December. Mykki Blanco and Kelela opened the month with brilliant dance music; The Tubs and the Sullivan siblings closed it with a rock and roll feast.

heavensouls — "shipping times and quiet streets"

Nigerian-born, Houston-based rapper-producer Chidi Obialo's westside trapped record made it into the top five of our mid-year list. His new single "shipping times and quiet streets" is a ceremonial collage, colored by the agile jazz saxophone of fairy therapy and the Auto-Tune murmurs of Sidepeices partner Stickerbush. Details wrapped up over seven minutes.

Kelela — "point blank"

The spirit of Cut 4 Me wanders through the West London broken beat of "point blank." Kelela's freshness returns in delays and breakbeats. Fade to Mind and Night Slugs ties permeate the entire track.

L'Rain — "soulless cycle"

L'Rain's upcoming LP Fata Morgana emerges from grappling with the nation's "descent into fascism and trad culture." "soulless cycle" creeps in and explodes unexpectedly. A sound-textural answer to the question of what happens when crisis becomes routine.

Lily Seabird — "Election Day"

This single, released for the Vermont songwriter's third record in three years, Lightspheres On Their Way, features rebellious distortion, screaming guitars, and outright wails. An Americana headbanger, a mosh pit gateway for folk.

Mykki Blanco — "Little Feet"

The first tease of CAFE PARADISO. A full-fledged queer flâneur song, condensed into two minutes with the help of Ian Isiah and Breakaway. Bodies mingling under the streetlamp, a room furnished with dance and devotion.

Sam & Louise Sullivan — "Working Girl"

The folk-rock chemistry of the Sullivan siblings reaches its most mature form in "Working Girl." The track, which wraps a narrative of a tired workday in soft vocal harmonies, offers the most human moment of the month.

SML — "Spontaneous Live Music"

The improvisational jazz quartet's new single progresses through an agile bassline and the free dialogue of wind instruments. The live production aesthetic breathes life into the record.

Tasha — "You Are Spring"

Poet-songwriter Tasha's album title track creates an image of spring with acoustic guitar and whispered vocals.

The Tubs — "Illusion Pt. II"

The follow-up track from British jangle-pop band The Tubs nods to classic R.E.M. moments with its twin-guitar weaving. An anthem closing the month for rock.

Kelsey Lu — "So Help Me God"

Cellist and singer Kelsey Lu's new album track is a prayer that moves between choral arrangements and electronic textures.

Source: Paste Magazine — "The 10 Best Songs of June 2026".