Protected: Meet the Mentos Fresh Sounds Class of ’26, Curated by Rolling Stone AU/NZ

Born in Auckland and raised in Western Sydney, Elijah Yo is a Māori and Polynesian artist, producer, songwriter and director whose work is deeply rooted in the culture and communities of his upbringing. Drawing from West Coast hip-hop, soul and funk, Elijah Yo’s music pairs sharp storytelling with themes of identity, resilience and ambition.

After teaching himself to produce beats and shoot music videos from his bedroom, Elijah Yo built a loyal following through self-made releases and cemented his place in Western Sydney’s strong music scene with 2018’s “Westcoast Party Remix”. Since then, the artist has amassed more than 17 million streams, released four projects, including his 2026 EP GTFOTW, and collaborated with the likes of Hooligan Hefs, BIGGS685 and Hooks.

Away from his solo career, Elijah is a member of Western Sydney collective YELLOWLINE and the founder of INHOUSE Studios, where he directs cinematic music videos for artists including Indigo Merkaba, Jess Jade and more. Whether behind the mic or behind the camera, Elijah is helping define the next era of Western Sydney creativity.

Sydney-based band Beryl have amassed a local cult following, and once you listen for yourself, it’s easy to see why. Blending emotionally raw songwriting with haunting vocals and intricate art-folk arrangements, Beryl have established themselves as a distinctive independent act.

Their 17 releases in six years speak to Beryl’s relentless creative output. That momentum culminated in 2023’s Dry Peel Crack, which received an Album of the Year nomination at the FBi Radio SMAC Awards. The band’s sophomore album Body Break, released in October 2025, marked a turning point in Beryl’s journey.

Expansive yet intimate, the record sees Beryl push their sound further while retaining the vulnerability and instrumental backing that’s become their calling card. Fans of Big Thief, Adrianne Lenker, Aldous Harding and Julia Jacklin will find plenty to love here, but Beryl are far more than the sum of their influences. With every release, they’re carving out space in the local music scene. One that’s more than deserved.

GAZAL is a Lebanese-Australian singer, songwriter and producer with one of the most distinctive sounds in Australian pop. Blending alternative R&B, jazz, soul, electronic music and left-field pop, her latest singles, “Backpack” and “Daisychains”, showcase both her adventurous songwriting and sharp production instincts, cementing her as one of the country’s most exciting emerging artists.

Writing, producing and art-directing every aspect of her creative output, GAZAL spent years refining her craft through hundreds of self-produced demos before introducing the world to her music. Her debut EP, I Accidentally Burnt The House Down, arrived in 2023, while her 2025 follow-up, Gods Into Frauds, expanded her sonic palette and reinforced her fearless approach to experimentation.

Influenced by boundary-pushing artists including Frank Ocean, Doechii, Blood Orange and Moses Sumney, GAZAL has already supported Nilüfer Yanya on tour, written songs for artists including Grentperez and George Alice, joined the Converse All Stars roster and established herself as a compelling independent voice to watch.

Few local acts are making pop as effortlessly fun as Foley. Originally from Aotearoa and now based in Sydney, multi-instrumentalists Ash Wallace and Gabriel Everett have built a devoted following with their hook-laden songwriting and colourful indie-pop sound. Evoking artists like Remi Wolf and After, the duo has shared stages with the likes of Tove Lo, Two Door Cinema Club and fellow Kiwi act, BENEE.

Their latest release, Like an Actress, sees Foley lean into the nostalgia of ’90s and early 2000s rom-coms, delivering five shimmering tracks packed with heart and irresistible melodies. Led by the chart-topping single “Honey”, which reached No. 1 in New Zealand, the EP marks another leap forward for the pair.

Following their debut album Crowd Pleaser and 2025’s That’s Life, Baby!, Foley continue to refine their unmistakable pop identity while expanding their audience on both sides of the Tasman. With an ear for undeniable hooks and a knack for reinvention, they’re fast becoming one of the region’s most exciting pop exports.

“I’m the Queen of Sydney, open the gate,” says Vv Pete on her track “Wassa”. And the Queen of Sydney she is. The Sudanese-Australian artist has become one of the defining voices of Australia’s new wave of rap, fusing razor-sharp lyricism with production that draws on Jersey club and global dance music, earning her comparisons to artists including Missy Elliott, Ice Spice and Lizzo.

Her breakout single “Bussit” introduced Vv Pete to an international audience, landing rotation on New York’s Hot 97 radio station, while collaborations with UTILITY on tracks including “Jordan 1s” and “Bacardi Papi” further cemented her place at the forefront of Australian rap.

Along the way, she’s earned multiple Sydney Music Arts and Culture Awards, performed alongside Denzel Curry, and taken her music overseas on her debut EURO VARVIE tour with producer UTILITY. With a co-sign from SZA and momentum building well beyond Australia’s borders, Vv Pete is firmly a part of the new generation of rap.