It’s warm outside, so naturally, razor-sharp mind (all you need it to believe) slows down considerably. So, before I’m allowed to be a bit slower during silly season this summer, May 2026 was packing, and I collected my last remaining wits and tackled this last month like there is no tomorrow. I feel there are lots of albums which didn’t create the buzz they potentially could (to be fair, that’s kinda always the case), so here we are.
Cognizance – In Light, No Shape
May 1 // Willowtip Records
The first Cognizance album, with guitarist Alex Baillie also on vocals, sees this international act re-establish their impressive consistency as one of the best prog death metal bands currently active. They draw inspiration from 90’s sounds, but with tons of modern, progressive ideas presented with a very timeless, meaty production.
Modern Woman – Johnny’s Dreamworld
May 1 // One Little Independent Records
Knats – A Great Day In Newcastle
May 1 // Gearbox Records
MLEKO – The Feast of St. Perpetua
May 1 // Heist or Hit
A record which lets you know right away that there is something special about it. This is the first EP by Manchester-based post-rock/folk outfit MLEKO. This is very clearly inspired by the emergence of the whole new wave of British art rock in recent years, and I optimistically predict (and hope for) a great future for those guys.
American Football – American Football (LP4)
May 1 // Polyvinyl
Our favorite emo daddies are back to show us how it’s done. This whole phenomenon of American Football being such an important influence in Midwest emo and math rock in the late 90’s/early 00’s with only little material, then disbanding, and returning years later to be so much more than just a legacy band. I still think LP3 is their best album, and LP4 keeps the quality up. This band has so much mojo.
Lip Critic – Theft World
May 1 // Partisan Records
Smash breakbeat, punk, and New York attitude in the blender and squeeze some Lip Critic out of it. Those guys are special, and I thoroughly love every moment I spent with Theft World. It’s a bit hyper and over the top, and while many bands fail to work those traits into their art in a non-annoying fashion, Lip Critic do it with flair.
Lolina – Monopoly of Mistakes
May 1 // Relaxin Records
Broken Social Scene – Remember The Humans
May 8 // City Slang
A band that just has magic. With their sixth album in 27 years, Canadian indie darlings Broken Social Scene sound both fresh and timeless, floating through their own little space. There is nothing in here you’ve never heard before somewhere else, but thank God, music is not about that. Beautiful songs.
Otay:Onii – Love Is In The Shit
May 8 // Pelagic Records
Lane Shi recently made some headlines being one of the new vocalists for The Ocean, but by all means, check out her solo project, Otay::Onii. This is mind-bending stuff, abrasive and empowering, and I’m grateful she gets a big stage to showcase how talented she is, and people will hopefully give her solo work more attention. She deserves it.
Ivoire – Uragano
May 8 // Independent
Never heard of those guys before until we teamed up with them for the premiere of their song “Sotto la Cenere”, and I’ve been a fan ever since of this album. Very dark and brooding sludge/post-metal, but crusty and cvlty as hell. Ivoire simply do a lot of things right and definitely understand how to evoke atmosphere with their stuff.
Panopticon – Det Hjemsøkte Hjertet
May 8 // Bindrune Recordings/Nordvis
Loraine James – Detached From The Rest Of You
May 8 // Hyperdub
Another artist with a consistently great discography. Detached From The Rest Of You doesn’t quite reach the same depths of Loraine James‘ fantastic 2021 album Reflection, but it’s still one of the best electronica albums I’ve heard this year. Through all the more abrasive sound design and dark vibes, there is a surprising amount of catchiness in those tracks, which makes this feel very fresh and interesting.
Karmanjakah – Diamond morning
May 8 // Independent
I’m still not quite over the fact that I would fall for a djent album after long years with not the best relationship to the genre. Karmanjakah‘s Diamond morning takes elements of thall (which I generally dislike) and gazey/dreamy vibes to create their own niche, and they do it with so much confidence in their songwriting, sound design, and aesthetic that the end product just fucking works. The only djent album worth listening to in 2026.
Sílvia Pérez Cruz – Oral_Abisal
May 8 // Sony
Tolls – Bleeding Nectar
May 12 // Sony
On the other end of the spectrum, we have Oregon hardcore act TOLLS and their new release, Bleeding Nectar. Those guys have been around for quite some time, but this is my first time checking it out. Powerful, more metallic-leaning hardcore with a great feel for melody and dynamics. Special.
Jasmine Myra – Where Light Settles
May 15 // Gondwana Records
Jeff Parker, ETA Ivtet – Happy Today
May 15 // International Anthem
Sam Hoyek – demonstration_01: anomalous
May 15 // Independent
My first time hearing Sam Hoyek‘s material, and I was very intrigued from the start. Soundscapes which remind me of Goodspeed You! Black Emperor, texturally disturbing drones reminiscent of BIG|BRAVE, elements of Sam Hoyek‘s heritage in Syria — this is a wild, and sometimes all-over-the-place, record, but I remain utterly fascinated by it.
Active Child – Active Child
May 15 // Sony Masterworks
Rhododendron – Ascent Effort
May 15 // The Flenser
I don’t know much about Portland, but the couple clichés I’ve gathered point towards Rhododendron being a very Portlandian band — correct me if I’m wrong, but this album, this band fits so well with The Flenser. It’s the right amount of pretentious, but also very genuine and heartfelt.
Genesis Owusu – REDSTAR WU & THE WORLDWIDE SCOURGE
May 15 // Ourness
I was never the biggest fan of Genesis Owusu‘s stuff. Always a bit too much, a bit too hyper — but with his newest album, REDSTAR WU & THE WORLDWIDE SCOURGE, it feels like the Australian rapper toned it down a notch in favor of more impactful bars and more soulful instrumentation.
Dua Saleh – Of Earth & Wires
May 15 // Ghostly International
They Are Cutting My Arms Off – Apparition
May 15 // Wax Vessel
it foot, it ears – Tip Toe Loops
May 22 // Independent
The first thing that came to mind when I first listened to that album was Japanese artist Cornelius, who I love, so I knew I was in for a treat. This album is very whimsical and fantastical, but it’s not overblown with sonic elements — they simply use what they have very creatively. There won’t be a lot of listeners for it foot, it ears, but I still wanna give my best to shout out this outstanding and weird piece of music.
Jungstötter – Sustained
May 22 // Unguarded
Back in 2023, Jungstötter‘s album One Star was one of my favorite albums of the year. The new one was highly anticipated and shows an artist who knows his identity, but is also on the search and in constant progress. This is reflected within the songs of Sustained, which keeps the tension up high throughout its runtime.
Thee Marloes – Di Hotel Malibu
May 22 // Big Crown Records
Bill Orcutt & Mabe Fratti – Almost Waking
May 22 // Tin Angel Records
I’m closely following everything Mabe Fratti does on an artistic level, breathing fresh air into the Mexican art rock scene with every new project. Teaming up with experimental music veteran Bill Orcutt wasn’t on my bingo card, but damn I take it and will enjoy every bit of it.
Hannah Peel & Beibei Wang – The Endless Dance
May 22 // Real World Records
feeble little horse – bitknot
May 26 // Saddle Creek
District Five – GLUT
May 29 // Stone Pixels
Don’t let the ugly ass fool you. This record is tons of fun. Charmingly wacky jazz fusion/art rock, very expressive and compelling. GLUT has some Jaga Jazzist vibes in its calmer moments, but then it gets noisy and chaotic, and you realize that District Five are running their own show.
’68 – They Are Survived
May 29 // Independent
Boards Of Canada – Inferno
May 29 // Warp Records
Thanks for scrolling.
