The Europeans' 2026 Summer Playlist

Last month, we asked you for your favourite sunny, summery songs from across the European continent – and boy, did you deliver! This week we’re taking a break from the news to talk about some of the incredible music you introduced us to, by artists from Sweden to Serbia.

GET IN ON THE FUN: We’re mixing things up over on Patreon and giving members new perks for supporting our work. Visit ⁠⁠⁠patreon.com/europeanspodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠ to take a look at all the benefits. You can also, as always, make a donation via our website. A huge thank you to our supporters for making independent European journalism possible – we hope you’re as excited about what’s next as we are.

Unsung: Cleaners is a documentary podcast bringing together the voices of cleaners across Europe, telling their stories in their own words. From invisible labour and night shifts to dignity and organising for change, the five-part series explores the human stories behind one of the world’s most essential – and most overlooked – jobs: cleaning. In the first episode, Hayat Elhore, a cleaner at the European Parliament in Brussels, shares what it’s like to clean a building that symbolises democracy – while often being treated as invisible. She pulls back the curtain on a typical day in the life of a cleaner.

A huge thank you to the artists who made this week’s episode possible (and who’ve put a skip in our step over the past few weeks). Songs mentioned in this episode:

“Caramello” by Rocco Hunt, Elettra Lamborghini, Lola Indigo

Qobuz | Spotify | YouTube

“Volio BiH” by Dubioza Kolektiv

Qobuz | Spotify | YouTube

“Bean Udaí Thall” by Huartan

Qobuz | Spotify | YouTube

“Jag kommer” by Veronica Maggio

Qobuz | Spotify | YouTube

“Amorgos” by Leonidas Balafas

Spotify | YouTube

“Liūdna!” by Free Finga

Spotify | YouTube