Artists exciting us in 2026 / September

Since starting this as a series in 2024, Mixmag Asia has consistently focused on spotlighting fresh and forward-thinking names from across Asia and its far-reaching diaspora.

Now in 2026, that approach remains the same.

From those dedicated to cutting-edge electronic and dance music to the occasional left-field pick from another genre, each edition brings together a selection of artists who are making noise in their local scenes or just starting to reach beyond them.

We’re not rigid about sound; if they move us, they belong here. Some names may already be familiar, others less so, but all are surely worth your time and attention.

Keep a look out for these ones.

BrokinPaper is Harrison Lee, a New York native who has a knack for turning the city's moods into dark, driving rhythms and cinematic sound design. The co-signs are stacking up, with a nod from Timbaland, a DJ mix for Rezz's HypnoVizion on Apple Music, and a HÖR Berlin set in July. He’s just dropped the seven-tracker ‘FUNCTION OVER FORM’, which leans into dancefloor-ready low end; think warehouse rave with its gritty industrial feel and hints of relentless EBM. It’s this concoction of sound that’s also successfully crossed over into the visual world, catching the eyes and ears of fashion and screen, with a global ZARA campaign placement for his track ‘66023C’ a spot on the 2026 series M.I.A. from the creator of Ozark, and Gucci afterparty sets in New York and Berlin following Demna's GucciCore show. So what’s next for BrokinPaper? Another track which lands on October 14 via Project 91 Recordings; ‘Love Me (Do It Right)’.

Moni-Moni (real name Mikelis Yu) was born in the Philippines, raised in California, and now works out of Cebu as a DJ, curator and founder of Cradio Radio, the independent platform he started in 2023 to document a scene that had almost no record of itself. His sound ranges from acid and trance, disco, house, funk, soul and rare groove, to world fusion and funk, shaped by years of digging and a habit of pairing obscure Filipino records with contemporary club tracks. Cradio has become a connective point for the wider Philippine underground, working with Manila’s UNKNWN, Siargao’s Barbosa Records and Davao’s We Can't Relate, among others. With its radio shows, parties, venue takeovers and collaborations, Cradio’s network has also extended across the region, with shows in Japan, appearing on Potato Head Bali's Headstream Radio and a feature on Gilles Peterson's Worldwide FM. He plays Ace Hotel Sydney on October 2, and is prepping for Cradio's annual Halloween gathering plus a January event tied to Cebu's Sinulog Festival.

Yogyakarta-based Sanjonas is a producer, DJ, graphic designer and just about everything in between who’s constantly bringing more attention to the city’s creative and music scene. That reach extends to the collectives and imprints he's founded or co-founded; RAMPAK G, Post Party Syndroma, sa/ve studio, Bast Cultura, Wicker Basket and 555_S.E.A, each a collaborative effort to reimagine post-platform futures through music and visual work from across ASEAN. It's a background that bleeds into everything he touches, pulling sound, style and image together into something cohesive and consistently exciting. His sound is a cacophony in the best possible way, ricocheting between heavy bass and experimental, club and eclectic, deconstructed club and techno. His sophomore LP, 'Ngelmu Tirakat', lands on October 15 via RAMPAK G. We've had an early listen, and it's without a doubt one to mark in the calendar, with the lead single out now.

Siiry is a quadruple threat: singer-songwriter, composer, producer, and DJ. Based in Hyderabad, her musical sensibilities are rooted in Indian classical traditions while genres like R&B, soul, trip hop, house, breaks and electro inform her choices behind the decks and DAW. Apart from regularly touring India, Siiry has also travelled to Tokyo, Bangkok and, just last month, to Amsterdam, for shows. August was a big month for the artist as it also saw the release of her debut single ‘Deja Vu’; a dreamy and breaksy vocal track with a sumptuous music video attached. Another single, ‘Wet Dream’, is due before the end of the year and next year is looking bright, too, with an Australian summer tour currently in the works.

Never miss a beat. Subscribe to our Scene Report newsletter or follow us on Instagram.