WHAT BRANDS WILL SOUND LIKE IN 2026: KEY MUSIC TRENDS FOR CAMPAIGNS

When it comes to creating memorable marketing campaigns, standing out is about paving the way. But powerful creative concepts and impactful visuals aren’t the only areas where trend-conscious marketers can make a splash - music provides a crucial avenue for innovation, not least because it’s a medium in which brands can build a compelling narrative by offering customers an emotional shortcut to their company values.

So, when it comes to music, how can you stay ahead of the curve for the next 12 months? And what kind of genres should you be looking at to soundtrack your next advertising spend?

In this blog, we examine audio strategy and advertising trends and predict the key musical trends for 2026 that every smart marketer needs to know.

Music Trends 2026

From sonic branding to background music and beyond, it’s never been more important to select the right soundtrack.

Today’s audiences expect music that feels personal, emotive and authentic and this - combined with ever-shifting cultural and technological developments - helps shape music trends. Below are some of the key trends we expect to see in 2026.

Purpose-Driven Sound

To create a campaign that engages, you need to tell real and compelling stories that make audiences feel as well as think. This is where high quality music, created by humans comes in. Elevate your narrative with authentic music that will resonate emotionally with your audience.

At Audio Network, we promise we will never use generative AI to produce music, because we value human creativity. We invest in human talent, empowering the brightest and best artists, composers and producers from around the world to record to tell their stories at the world’s finest studios. Read more in our blog.

Authentic, Global Sounds

The silver-lining of a world where derivative, dirt-cheap, AI-generated music is becoming a crutch for less imaginative marketers is that it allows the brands that truly value authenticity to stand out. Opting for authentic global sounds is a great way of demonstrating your commitment to quality, not least because AI simply isn’t capable of conjuring such sounds, as Vox reports:

“Today’s AI models are liable to exclude vast swaths of music, especially from musical traditions that predate recording technology and come from non-Western origins. As currently designed, they are more likely to produce stereotypical sounds within a genre or style than they are to produce anything peculiar, let alone innovative or interesting.”

By selecting indigenous sounds, you are also demonstrating your knowledge of local markets, and reflecting a keen awareness of commercial music trends, be it the global dominance of Latin pop and Afrobeats, or the proliferation of hybrid sounds setting the charts alight worldwide.

At Audio Network, we empower artists, composers and producers from all over the globe to create exceptional music that communicates all the cultural richness of their communities. From K-pop to traditional Chinese orchestration, reggaeton to tango, Afroswing to amapiano, discover a world of music in our ever-expanding catalogue.

Cinematic Storytelling in Brand Campaigns

Cinematic storytelling in brand campaigns is about using the emotional power, visual depth, and narrative techniques of film to create marketing that feels more like a movie experience than an advertisement.

It’s not just about selling a product - it’s about making audiences feel something memorable and meaningful. Just think of Apple’s 2023 campaign, The Greatest.

Naturally, to tell stories at scale, you need a top-quality soundtrack to match. From epic orchestral tracks to hybrid compositions, we help brands future-proof their campaigns with timeless quality and modern sound.

Retro Revival: 80s Synths and Nostalgic Pop

Nostalgia remains one of the most powerful weapons in the advertiser’s arsenal, and nothing is more nostalgic than a retro soundtrack. In the next 12 months we expect to see brands bringing back iconic hits from the 80s and 90s to spark emotional connections with Millennial and Gen Z audiences, fostering a sense of comfort and trust, and cutting through the noise of contemporary music.

Of course, licensing commercial hits can be an expensive and complicated process. If you’re seeking a similarly wistful sounds, we have heaps of playlist inspiration, featuring a wealth of pre-licensed tracks spanning 80s electronic and 90s collections channelling hip hop, boy bands, dance parties and old skool rave.

Read More

So now you know what brands will sound like in 2026, why not dig into some more of our blogs - we cover everything from music licensing tips to branding and business ideas that hit the right note.