May we bring you new music? Ahem, pardon us…We bring you May New Music!
This month’s New Music Alert is packed with songs all about growing older, growing in love, and growing apart. Expect songs from names you may have heard before and names you’re surprised you’ve never heard.
It’s the May New Music Alert.
Lizzy McAlpine | Older
Philly’s indie folk sensation dropped Older, McAlpine’s third studio album in early April. It’s packed to the brim with gorgeous observations of life’s varying oppositions: naive and jaded, love and hate, trust and betrayal. Hits include “Come Down Soon”, “I Guess”, and “Drunk, Running” – the latter a sobering track about a partner’s struggle with alcoholism. Catch McAlpine on tour across North America through August, and in Europe in October.
The record is about love, losing the ones we love, and, well, growing older. Give the title track a spin and tell us you’re not immediately swept away:
Medium Build | Country
Another massive release in April was Medium Build’s Country. The Alaskan’s first full-length since 2019’s Wild, this album’s quality was hinted at by several well-received singles which we’ve covered in the past. Now with the full release, we can’t stop bopping our heads to this new direction: more vulnerable, more heartfelt, more colorful, even jazzier (just listen to the horns on “Stick Around”). These songs are powerful anthems of queer love, tailored for the modern age.
He’s on tour in North America with Clover County through July, before heading to Europe in November.
Tuyo | Paisagem
Ever heard of the Brazilian trio, Tuyo? Let us introduce you. Tuyo blends synthpop, afrobeat, and house, seamlessly mixing electronic and acoustic instrumentation. They dropped their latest album Paisagem and it feels like a warm coastal breeze. Tuyo is one of Brazil’s hottest groups: their 2021 album Chegamos Sozinhos em Casa Vol. 1 was nominated for a Latin Grammy.
Check out the video for their single “Infinita”, which is just pure vibes:
MAUVEY | Before the Album 2.5
Born in Ghana and raised between the UK and Canada, MAUVEY makes genre-bending music that spans Afro, pop, hip-hop, rock, punk, and electronic – all against a visually stunning backdrop in his music videos.
The singer and producer released a remix EP called Before the Album 2.5, taking songs from his 2023 record Before the Album and bringing new life to them. We want to call out the song “The King”, which got remixed by 4KORNERS and features Madalen Duke and Temia.
MYTBE | CAKE EP
We covered South London’s MYTBE in our February Artist News, and we’re stoked her new EP is here. CAKE is a meditative four-track collection that tackles heavy themes, all while staying true to MYTBE’s minimalist stylings. These tracks are like intricate collages, as apparent on the song “flicker”, which features layered harmonies, jazz drums, and a mix of sharp guitars and delicate piano.
You might be asking: how does she do this live? MYTBE performed “Good Enough” at Sofar London last year. Take a look for yourself:
LÉA THE LEOX | Live From Salt Lick Sessions
The Salt Lick Incubator in Boston has produced some incredible talent, and they’re all touring the US as we speak. Luckily, if you can’t make one of these shows, you can hear one of the artists from the Incubator anytime you like.
LÉA THE LEOX dropped a live album called Live From Salt Lick Sessions, which features six tracks from the Salt Lick studio. Backed by a full band, she weaves tales of empowerment and individuality, all against the backdrop of introspective R&B and her powerful voice. No big deal, LÉA toured with Mariah Carey as part of the choir on last year’s Christmas Tour.
Hannah Connolly | Shadowboxing
What happens when you take a prolific writer and place her in a picturesque Southern California mountain town? The result is likely something like Hannah Connolly’s Shadowboxing. Connolly, an LA resident by way of Eau Claire, WI, mixes the country folk of Shania Twain and Sheryl Crow with the more electronic manipulations of contemporary rock. On Shadowboxing, we find the shimmering “Reno” embody the same space as the loose rock of “Golden”.
Pomme | “Qui a tué grand’maman?”
Lyon-based singer-songwriter Claire Pomme (a.k.a Pomme) is known for her breathy chamber pop vocals. She won Best Female Artist at the 2021 Les Victoires de la Musique (a.k.a the French Grammys).
“Qui a tué grand’maman?” is no exception. The song, whose title translates to “Who killed Grandma?”, is a cover of Michel Polnareff’s 1971 release. While Polnareff’s version is piano-led, Pomme takes to the guitar, delivering haunting melodies and lyrics that are just as spooky as they were over fifty years ago.
Zevia | “Amnesia”
The latest single from pop musician Zevia is a downtempo, piano-led admission of the pain after a break-up. Sometimes you wish you had amnesia so you could forget the pain. “I wish the memories don’t exist. If I had amnesia, if I had amnesia.”
Recommended if you like Billie Eilish, dark melodies, and comfort that even after a bad break-up, you’re going to be ok. Just check out the official video for the complete vibe.
Anna Walsh | “Plan B”
If you’ve ever been in a relationship with someone who isn’t emotionally available, this track is for you.
A Denver-based singer-songwriter, Anna Walsh’s song “Plan B” is about a dangerously aloof ex and an unplanned pregnancy, and the story of getting over-the-counter birth control. It’s a visual buffet, with lyrics in the style of Joni Mitchell and instrumentation packed with feeling. Just wait til the crescendo at the end, complete with next-level harmonies, a tempo change, driving guitar.
Angel White | “OUTLAW”
We’ve been following Angel White for some time now, and we’re super into his latest release “OUTLAW”.
“I’m an outlaw and you can’t catch me now,” White sings over a sparse guitar melody and simple rhythm. But don’t let the simple instrumentation fool you: White is economic with the production, but abundant with his lyrics.
Want to catch some of these artists (and so many more) at a show near you? Check out upcoming performances today!
