Reggae in 2026 isn’t moving in a straight line. It’s branching outward, pulling in surf noir, indie pop confessionals, underground hip-hop romance, and dancehall urgency, all while staying rooted in rhythm and feel. This week’s releases read less like a single scene and more like a constellation, connected by vibe rather than geography.
Release Roundup
The Buttertones
Los Angeles cult favorites The Buttertones return with “Night Blooming Jasmine,” a track that leans hard into mood. Their signature blend of noir surf, garage rock, and cinematic post-punk feels especially lived-in here, unfolding slowly like a late-night drive with the windows down. Fresh off a 28-date U.S. headline run and festival appearances at Coachella and When We Were Young, the song sounds like a band confident enough to let atmosphere do the heavy lifting.
Kash’d Out
Florida’s Kash’d Out take a more direct route on “My Problems,” pairing breezy melodies with introspective tension. The track blends reggae-rock ease with indie-pop polish, reflecting a band shaped by constant movement. After a packed year touring alongside The Movement, The Elovaters, and Bumpin Uglies, Kash’d Out sound focused and road-ready, with headline tours stacked in January and March to keep the momentum rolling.
The Grouch & Pure Powers – The Linkz
On the hip-hop edge of the spectrum, The Grouch and Pure Powers debut their joint project The Linkz with “Priceless.” It’s a warm, romantic cut that favors sincerity over bravado, blending reggae-informed rhythms with The Grouch’s unmistakably human delivery. As the fifth single from their upcoming album The Payoff, due April 3, the song hints at a project built on connection and range, with features spanning Berner, Devin The Dude, Stylo G, Eli-Mac, and Living Legends.
Skeng
From Kingston, Skeng keeps the pressure high with “Pam Pam,” a sharp, no-frills statement that underscores why he remains one of dancehall’s most impactful modern voices. As the second single tied to the forthcoming Bobby Lane Project, produced by Govana and Roption, the track doubles down on immediacy, raw energy, and global reach.
Iam Tongi
Elsewhere in the reggae world, recent releases continue to widen the lens. Iam Tongi’s “Eyes For You” leans into warmth and emotional clarity, spotlighting his vocal growth and island-rooted positivity.
Jasmin Nicole and Kaleikaumaka
Meanwhile, rising voices Jasmin Nicole and Kaleikaumaka connect on “Let Me,” a love song built on a calming riddim and shared melodic intuition. Both releases signal a continued wave of island-influenced reggae that prioritizes feeling over flash.
Looking ahead, the coming months promise even more movement. With The Payoff landing in April and the Bobby Lane Project rollout continuing, alongside touring cycles from U.S. reggae-rock staples and new singles emerging from Jamaica and the Pacific, the genre’s near future looks intentionally fluid.
What ties all of this together is refusal to stand still. Whether filtered through noir-soaked guitars, indie-pop hooks, underground hip-hop storytelling, or dancehall’s raw immediacy, reggae’s influence remains elastic, pulling new shapes into orbit while staying anchored to groove, voice, and intent.
