I’m always happy about the summer. Not about the heat. I hate the heat. But there aren’t that many releases going on during the summer, so it’s awesome for taking a break from the flood of albums and revisiting all the good stuff that got released in the first half of the year. May is usually the last month to relentlessly push out good record after good record – so brace yourself for one last beefy boy until we hit fall.
Otoboke Beaver – SUPER CHAMPION
May 6 // Damnably
Haunter – Discarnate Ails
May 6 // Profound Lore Records
I didn’t really expect anything delving into Discarnate Ails – certainly not that it would grab me like no other metal record this year, either. The rich and compelling compositions and the conceptual, august nature of the songs really did something with me, and channeling an artistry that is often missing from metal these days.
Pure Reason Revolution – Above Cirrus
May 6 // Inside Out Music
Tvivler – Kilogram
May 6 // FysiskFormat
There is something utterly charming about Tvivler, and that appeal reached its peak with Kilogram. Sure, I really enjoy the Danish lyrics – I don’t understand a word, but it just sounds damn cool – but they are one of the those bands with such confident energy and vision that it’s hard not to like them.
Elephant Gym – Dreams
May 11 // Topshelf Records
I always liked Taiwanese math trio Elephant Gym a good bit, but taking my basic affection for Asian math rock into consideration, not as much as I could have. With Dreams, the band took a step forward and finally made it – at least for me. This is the first record from the band that really, thouroughly resonates with me, and I’m looking forward to spinning it time and time again.
Gilad Hekselman – Far Star
May 13 // Edition Records
As one of the coolest guitar players in jazz, you have a certain responsibility when you’re dropping new music. It has to be awesome. Glad that Gilad Hekselman took this challange with a smile, bringing his A-game with Far Star, a great jazz record between classic and modern vibes.
They Hate Change – Finally, New
May 13 // Jagjaguwar
There is nothing that sounds like They Hate Change. There are a lot of artists who showed that hip hop can be so much more that just hip hop, but even in that regard, this project is very, very special. I was waiting for Finally, New to drop, and I’ll be damned if it isn’t one of the best records of the year.
The Smile – A Light for Attracting Attention
May 13 // XL Recordings
Even if you despise supergroups, you have to be a little intrigued with this one. Featuring Thom Yorke and Jonny Greenwood from Radiohead and Tom Skinner from Sons Of Kemet, and with a track record like The Smile already have, I was more than stoked to hear A Light for Attracting Attention. The way this album flows and feels is really special.
Say Sue Me – The Last Thing Left
May 13 // Damnably
Monophonics – Sage Motel
May 13 // Colemine Records
Kendrick Lamar – Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers
May 13 // PGLang/Top Dawg Entertainment/Interscope/Aftermath
Gospel – The Loser
May 13 // Dog Knights
It’s pretty though to figure out where to start. How can you praise this album properly? One of the most triumphant comebacks I’ve ever witnessed, not only to form, but far beyond. I’ve never heard something like The Loser. Gospel are fucking back.
Ethel Cain – Preacher’s Daughter
May 12 // Daughters of Cain Records
Busty and the Bass – KARNEVAL
May 13 // Arts and Crafts
To get things straight right from the beginning: I ADORE Busty and the Bass‘ 2020 record Eddie. Like, ADORE. There is no week in which I don’t spin it, and I’m still not over how fantastic that album is. I was naturally excited for the new EP KARNEVAL, and was pleasantly surprised about the more hip hop-focused approach. I can’t get enough of this band. MORE!
RLYR – RLYR
May 13 // Gilead Media
I was not expecting this. Never cared a lot for RLYR in the past, but for whatever reason, their newest one stuck with me. Such a strong artistic vision, and such an interesting take on post-rock and post-metal. I haven’t heard such an inventive and fresh album in that vein in a long, long time. Fantastic.
Obongjayar – Some Night I Dream of Doors
May 13 // The Orchard/September Recordings
Obongjayar is colorful, explosive and vibrant. There is so much to discover within Some Night I Dream of Doors that I still looking forward to unfolding layer after layer of this fantastic album. At the same time, I’m already overly stoked what will follow after this. An inspirational experience!
Vitam Aeternam – Revelations of the Mother Harlot
May 13 // Crime Records
Sister Ray – Communion
May 13 // Royal Mountain Records
Allysha Joy – Torn : Tonic
May 13 // First World Records
Acadie : Raw was a fantastic neo-soul album back in 2018. Allysha Joy not only showed immense potential on that album, but also charisma and joy. I was excited for its successor, but when I got my ears on Torn : Tonic, I was absolutely blown away. The leap Allysha took with her new album is tremendous, and I’m not sad anymore that I probably won’t get another Hiatus Kaiyote album this year.
Glåsbird – Himalaya
May 14 // Whitelabrecs
If you like ambient and are still sleeping on Glåsbird, what are you doing with your life? Start with Himalaya right now.
Luminous Vault – Animate The Emptiness
May 20 // Profound Lore Records
Cave In – Heavy Pendulum
May 20 // Relapse Records
Porridge Radio – Waterslide, Diving Board, Ladder To The Sky
May 20 // Secretly Canadian
Eat Your Own Head – Neck-Deep in the Blyth
May 20 // Drongo Records
NEGRVS – De Lúcidos y Atormentado
May 20 // Independent
INANNA – Void of Unending Depths
May 25 // Independent
Quinn Oulton – Alexithymia
May 27 // DeepMatter Records
In his review, my mate Shaun called this album one of the best records he’s ever heard. I wouldn’t go that far – but Alexithymia is very, very special. I’ve stumbled upon Quinn Oulton‘s music with his catchy little EP Show Your Face. The leap he took with his debut album is massive, though. A masterpiece between neo-soul and art pop – dark, compelling, and catchy.
Orochen – Anthroposcenic
May 27 // Suicide Records
This band went from ‘well, yeah, that’s alright‘ to ‘fuck, listen to this NOW‘ super quickly. With Anthroposcenic, Orochen made a splash into the scene between hardcore, post-metal, stoner, and probably a bunch of other stuff. This album is full of great songs, and you shouldn’t miss out on this.
Elis Noa – I Was Just About to Leave
May 27 // LasVegas Records
I’ve been hooked with indie pop/neo-soul duo Elis Noa, especially since their album What Do You Desire? back in 2020. To see promising artists like them grow into themselves even more is always a pleasure to experience, and they proved themselves once again with I Was Just About to Leave!
Kellermensch – Capitulism
May 27 // Motor Music/Persona Non Grata Records
They are one of my sweet spot bands, and I will love them forever. New album is great, too.
Just Mustard – Heart Under
May 27 // Partisan Records
I love how this album feels like you gathered together with some friends, stumbled upon a dirty little location somewhere, and you just squeeze yourself down some stairs and there is a fucking awesome band playing their hearts out in front of 10 people. Heart Under bursts of talent, and damn does this album flow well.
Heaving Earth – Darkness of God
May 27 // Lavadome productions
Doldrum – The Knocking, Or The Story of the Sound that Preceded Their Disappearance
May 27 // Katafalque
Deca – Smoking Gun
May 27 // Coalmine Records
This episode of The Noise Of was pretty metal-heavy, and besides Kendrick Lamar and They Hate Change, there wasn’t a lot oh hip hop that caught my interest – maybe the new Quelle Chris, which obviously didn’t make the cut in the end. A really great gem was Deca‘s Smoking Gun, which had so much great jazzy vibes that I have to love it.
Olhava – Reborn
May 27 // Slowsnow Records
Thanks for scrolling!
