California

We say

Today’s Ones To Watch 2026 is the brilliant London-based singer, songwriter, and guitarist Maya Delilah. She’s been on our radar since we first fell for her gorgeous ’70s soul-leaning cut ‘Actress’ in late 2023. Since then, the BRIT School alumna has continued to build momentum around her warm, expressive take on soul-pop. Early last year, she released her debut album 'The Long Way Round', leaning into touches of country and blues alongside subtle hints of gospel and choral harmony. This Friday (9 January), Maya expands that world with a deluxe edition of the album, adding four new tracks, including ‘California’ — a laid-back, sunlit folk-pop affair. Tastemaker praise has come from Clash, The Line of Best Fit, Rolling Stone UK, Evening Standard, and The Sun, alongside strong DSP backing. On radio, she’s found champions at BBC Radio 1’s Future Pop and Future Artists (via Jack Saunders, Tara Kumar and Sian Eleri), as well as BBC Radio 6 Music supporters Gilles Peterson, Craig Charles and Nick Grimshaw. Plus, she has received a nod from one of her biggest inspirations, John Mayer, on his Life With John Mayer show. Maya has also been selected for Fender’s Next Class of 2024, named a Spotify ‘Artist To Watch’ for 2025, tipped by The Sun as a ‘New Face for 2025’, and more recently highlighted by the Daily Star as one of its ‘Four To Watch in 2026’. Over the past year, Maya has toured with Lawrence and FIZZ, played The Great Escape, and appeared at Fuji Rock Festival. We’ve adored her soul-steeped pop, and with the deluxe album arriving this week, it reinforces why Maya Delilah is on our Ones To Watch list.

Contact

Label: Fontana (UK) and Blue Note, Capitol (US)
Distributor: UMG Recordings
Marketing: Jessica Graham-Wright, Fontana
Radio: Rosie Crocombe & Amy James, Universal Music UK
Streaming: Anna Maran, Universal Music
Online: Lee Barter, Universal Music UK
Press: Julie Clemessy, French Press
TV: Karen Williams, Big Sister
Live: UTA
Management: Angie Somerside, SomeCreative
Photo Credit: Rae Farrow