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Everything old is neu again Neuphorians!
Over 50% of the current global streaming Top 20 is at least a year old, with several tracks being from the 20 th century, as algorithms serve us familiar comfort food amidst an indigestible tsunami of 2 million new monthly song uploads. Riding that throwback wave onto the Neuphoria August playlist is Tame Impala’s 2025 track “Loser which just hit #1 in global streaming after soundtracking Spider-Man Brand New Day’s box office juggernaut.
In August, we also visit South Africa, France, Netherlands, Sweden, India, Colombia and Spain alongside our usual stops in England, US and Australia.
Neuphoria August 2026 direct playlist links are:
If you wish to vote on the July Playlist, please submit your votes by EOD Monday September 7th PT (Tuesday, September 8th for the Europeans, Aussies and South Americans).
Defy the algorithm. Listen to Neuphoria
D
Tame Impala, Loser (Alternative)- Currently sitting at #1 on the global charts with over 160 million Spotify streams, this cut from Australia's Kevin Parker’s 2025 LP Deadbeat is enjoying a massive second life. The track’s syncopated, teasing guitar make it the ideal backdrop for Spider-Man: Brand New Day- framing Peter Parker’s awkward, stealthy pursuit of Ned through the subway and into a party to catch a glimpse of MJ. Clearly everybody loves a Loser.
Olivia Rodrigo, serena joy (Alternative)– A four-time Billboard #1 artist and double Neuphoria winner (April and June 2026), Olivia Rodrigo returns with "serena joy." Shelved from her June LP to keep that record’s relationship storyline intact, this standalone track draws from Margaret Atwood’s The Handmaid’s Tale. Built on a sparse arrangement of post-punk guitar and drum machine, it heavily channels The Cure's Seventeen Seconds- a fitting homage from a self-confessed Cure superfan.
Troye Sivan, She’s the Best (Pop/Alternative)- South African/Australian popster Troye Sivan previews his upcoming LP with the August release of its title track, "She's the Best" Taking a promising moody turn from his past dance-pop, the complex “She’s the Best” channel’s Lou Reed’s “Walk on the Wild Side”- complete with deadpan spoken delivery and street-corner backing vocals over a pulsing synth before ending with an urgent pop-rock finale with backing from his frequent collaborator Charli XCX. The stylish music video stars Troye and fellow Aussie icon Nicole Kidman hitting a nocturnal drag club (Watch here)
Shoutout to Neuphorian Paddybear for turning me on to “She’s the Best”.
Slayyyter, brand new chanel$ (Pop/Dance)- Unapologetically tacky and gloriously extreme, pop firebrand Slayyyter, who packed an overcapacity tent at Coachella earlier this year, returns with a sharp thematic sequel to her fan-favorite “Beat Up Chanel$.” Currently sitting at #1 on the influential r/popheads chart, "brand new chanel" finds her confronting an ex who stepped out with a girl rocking mint-condition luxury gear, setting the confrontation over shimmering, high-energy dance-pop.
I’m sooooo excited to see Slayyyter live with my nieces in September!
Odetto, L'AMOUR C’EST COOL (Dance)– Rising Parisian producer and vocalist Odetto serves up a tour de force in effortless Gallic swagger with "L'Amour C’est Cool" Layering a deadpan, spoken French talk-rap over a slinky retro-disco bassline and
breezy funk guitar, the track radiates vintage chic. Having just returned from a sweltering, un-air-conditioned Paris August, I’m comforted to know that at least Odetto is staying “COOL”.
Kudos again to Paddybear for turning me on to Odetto.
ANOTR, Talk To You (House/Dance)- Amsterdam production duo ANOTR have successfully translated their House cred to the mainstream, with the sun-drenched “Talk To You” cracking the UK Top 5 and gathering 190 million Spotify streams. Built on bubbly synth stabs and crisp funk guitar riffs, it is no surprise that “Talk to You” has been an inescapably infectious soundtrack to summer 2026. If this track is talking, I’m all ears.
Swedish House Mafia & Lykke Li, Happiness is So Sad (House/Dance)– Formed in
2008, the House Mafioso (Axwell, Steve Angello, and Sebastian Ingrosso) helped define the global EDM boom, with 2 global #1 anthems before their 2013 split sent all three on massive multi-platinum solo runs. Now fully reunited, the trio teams up with fellow Swedish alt-pop icon Lykke Li for August’s "Happiness is So Sad." Anchoring Li’s bittersweet vocal ache to a progressive house build, it’s a masterclass in wistful dance- floor melodrama. Forget the warm gun- this happiness is loaded with tears.
La Roux, Lose Myself (Alternative)- A synthpop trailblazer, who charted two #1 UK smashes in 2009, long-time personal favorite La Roux (Elly Jackson) makes a roaring return with "Lose Myself.” After a prolonged chart hiatus, Elly reclaims here heavyweight punch on “Lose Myself”, a preview of her forthcoming LP, Old Flames. Driven by sharp synthesizer stabs, her vocal somehow balances a detached iciness with raw urgency- proving her signature bite remains intact.
Portraits of Tracy, Caught in a Jam (Alternative)– 22-year-old Baton Rouge DIY visionary =continues their shape-shifting ascent with "Caught in a Jam" recently crowned a Pitchfork Song of the Week. Essentially two distinct songs (one upbeat, the other dreamy) stitched together, the track mirrors an EP whose styles are so wildly disparate it’s hard to believe it’s all from one artist. Wearing its neon-drenched '80s MTV influence squarely on its sleeve, “Caught in a Jam” pairs frantic art-pop grooves with squeaky Missing Persons–esque vocals, hanging together- just barely…..
If I was a pony, Will this be the last time (Alternative/Electroclash)– Emerging from the exploding boy/girl duo electroclash wave (think Snow Strippers and Bassvictim), NYC’s if I was a pony delivers an audacious collision of styles on “Will this be the last time.” While grammar purists may cringe at the band’s name, this track makes no mistakes, playing like a chopped & screwed Purity Ring spiked with retro new jack swing and hazy indie guitar breaks just to make sure that you’re paying attention.
Stop horsing around and turn up the volume!
Banjaare & Roni, Barsaat (Indian)– Here at Neuphoria, Inc. we have a soft spot for popular oddities. So when we heard about this Indian song, which was not from a Bollywood movie and sung in a regional tongue spoken by less than 1% of India (Haryanvi) yet was #2 on the charts in India, we were intrigued. Upon listening to Barsaat's gentle, melancholic indie-ish ballad with a weeping sarangi and swooning, melismatic vocal bends, the Neuphoria board of directors voted to ratify adding this to the playlist.
KAROL G, Judeline & rusowsky, BbY WOW (Latin)– As the most-streamed female
Latin artist in history, Colombian superstar KAROL G ventures into moody, atmospheric territory alongside Spain’s rising avant-pop favorites Judeline and rusowsky with “BbY WOW”. Currently sitting at #6 on both the US and Global streaming charts, this crossover cut “WOWs” us as a slow-burning earworm anchored to a soft reggaeton pulse and velvety three-part harmonies.
Trim, Coconut Water (Rap)– Picked by Pitchfork as a 2026 Song of the Summer
frontrunner, coastal South Carolina breakout rapper Trim turns Lowcountry swagger into pure gold on "Coconut Water." Propelled by a stripped down club bounce, her thick Gullah Geechee accent stretches "wuaaa-tuh" into an intoxicating hook. Grab a cold Vita Coco before the song’s filthy innuendo makes you overheat.
Mulaa Joans, That Ain't You (Gospel/Soul)– At just 19, London-based powerhouse Mulaa Joans turns a dating reality check into full-blown Sunday service on "That Ain't You" Leaning into the smoky depth of fellow Brits Adele, RAYE, and Sienna Spiro, she roots the track in pure church tradition—warm keyboard chords, a soaring gospel choir, and a rich, raspy vocal delivery. It builds straight toward her devastatingly cold dis: "that ain't now, that ain't here, and that ain't you." Amen to that.
Koe Wetzel ft. Ella Langley, Jaded (Country)– Currently, the #1 most-added single in Country radio, August’s "Jaded" pairs Texas outlaw Koe Wetzel with the unstoppable Ella Langley, presently on a dominant 18-week #1 run with "Choosin' Texas." The duet thrives on vocal contrast: Wetzel’s rough-hewn rasp cuts against Langley’s emotive twang as the two trade scars over bruised guitars, turning their baggage into an undeniable power ballad.
Phoebe Bridgers, Lost Boys (Indie Pop/Indie Rock)– August heralded the release of “Lost Weekend”, the much-awaited 3 rd LP from four-time Grammy winner and critical darling Phoebe Bridgers, following a solo hiatus since 2020’s landmark “Punisher”. Aided by hitmaker Jack Antonoff and in the control room, the surprisingly buoyant 1 st single, “Lost Boys” trades Phoebe’s signature hush-quiet acoustic sound for driving synth flourishes, brass bursts, and dare I say- pop gloss (Yikes!).
Yard Act, New Beginnings (Indie Rock/Britpop)– Known as one of the UK’s fiercest live acts, Leeds outfit Yard Act pull off an unexpected pivot on "New Beginnings" taken from their July LP You’re Gonna Need A Little Music. Frontman James Smith steps away from his usual razor-sharp anti-capitalist cynicism to deliver a life-affirming anthem. Backed by an angular guitar crunch, brass accents and an infectious Britpop swing, “New Beginnings” proves that optimism and post-punk street cred can coexist.
Chat Pile, Same Rules (Noise Rock/Sludge Metal)– Named after the toxic mounds of mining waste littering their native Oklahoma, underground metal powerhouse Chat Pile continue to turn modern dread into art. Previewing their forthcoming September LP, "Same Rules" opens with a dissonant dirge reminiscent of 80’s goth mainstays Red Lorry Yellow Lorry before exploding into a heaving sonic chat pile. Paired with Raygun Busch’s trademark lyrics of visceral alienation, it’s a track befitting both the Neuphoria and EPA Superfund list…..
