Sounds of 2026
Splice x MIDiA Sounds of 2026
House on the rise
MIDiA Research and Splice present Sounds of 2026, a data-driven look at the forces shaping the next era of global music creation.
As listening habits fragment and micro-trends increasingly replace a single mainstream, creators are driving a new era defined by genre fluidity and highly localised scenes.
Key insights
Sound of the year: Afro house
With 778% growth, 6.7 million downloads, and 1.3 million searches, Afro house accounted for nearly 70% of all house growth in 2025, driven by global adoption and rising influence across North America, Europe, and WANA.
Dance music’s dual momentum
While melodic house surged, uptempo genres including speed garage, hard techno, jump up DnB, and hard dance all posted triple-digit growth.
Hip hop in transition
Still Splice’s most-downloaded genre, hip hop is diversifying as creators embrace throwback sounds and experimental subgenres alongside conventional trap.
Pop’s crossover comeback
Bedroom pop, indie pop, and acoustic-leaning sounds helped push pop back into the top three genres, signalling renewed demand for organic and emotionally direct music.
I think the 2025 Was the year the double edge sort of AI tools opened opportunities for anyone with a laptop bracket or honestly even a phone, but it also push real artistry back to the forefront. Albums mattered again. Intentionality mattered again. And with that came a huge wave of genre blending, which I'm always here for.
KITO
