May 1: Cosmic Thing - The B-52's
I kicked things off with an absolute fever dream of a listening experience with The B-52's Cosmic Thing. Bursting with energy at every level, their eccentric new wave sound is typified by zany vocals and funky instrumentals. I can't see myself listening to this style of music with any real frequency, but it does provide a fun little piece of escapism, flying away into the imagination of the B-52's.
Standouts:
Deadbeat Club
Dry County
Roam
May 2: Fantasy - M83
M83 has always been a group that, like many on the French electronic scene, has a way of producing a sound with such grandeur that it feels as if the music is being felt on some deeper level. The brains behind the group, Anthony Gonzales, has always relied primarily on ethereal instrumentation, with vocals acting as a secondary element, and things are no different on Fantasy, which is once again a true experience of an album.
Standouts:
Oceans Niagra
Us And The Rest
Fantasy
May 3: Drop Cherries - Billie Marten
Elegant harmonies and a folk-like composition are what make up the latest album from child prodigy Billie Marten. Drop Cherries is wholeheartedly an album about love, as Marten explores the highs and lows that come along with falling deep into something. Listening to this I'm reminded of Laura Marling, and that soft English folk sound that harks back to a more traditional era - it's definitely pleasing to see its recent resurgence.
Standouts:
Willow
God Above
Nothing But Mine
May 4: Chaleur Humaine - Christine and the Queens
Christine and the Queens have become a staple of the French indie scene, and their impressive debut, Chaleur Humaine, is the only example you need of why this is the case. Mixing between English and French, Chris explores deepfelt ideas of identity and belonging; his gender transition which would come a few years later is expressed beautifully on the opening track 'iT'. An absolute statement of a debut album.
Standouts:
iT
Paradis Perdus
Narcissus is Back
May 5: Everything Harmony - The Lemon Twigs
One of my favourite bands on the scene right now – The Lemon Twigs – are back with their fourth LP, Everything Harmony. More often than not the lyricism of the New York brotherly duo goes to some dark places, exploring modern solitude and lost direction. This darkness is coated by some beautiful instrumentation, with more acoustic numbers than the boys have utilised before, and the same nostalgic vibrancy that brings their sound so much charm.
Standouts:
Any Time Of Day
What Happens To A Heart
Corner Of My Eye
May 6: Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats - Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats
Formed as a more soul-focussed side project, the debut album from Nathaniel Rateliff and his backing band, The Night Sweats, is full of heart and nostalgia. Incorporating mostly elements of classic blues and rock, the self-titled record feels pretty timeless. Rateliff's voice booms over the strumming guitars with all of its raspiness and power, as I picture myself drinking whiskey in an old American saloon.
Standouts:
Trying So Hard Not To Know
S.O.B.
Wasting Time
May 7: Stay Sane - Ocean Wisdom
Ocean Wisdom is, I would argue, one of the most underrated rappers on the UK scene right now. As well as having a notoriously fast flow, the Camden-born artist has plenty more to offer - on Stay Sane he reflects poignantly on growing up in a gritty London, surrounded by gang-related activities. The album as a whole has a more mellow sound than his previous releases, only proving there's no territory the rapper can't explore and deliver in.
Standouts:
Gruesome Crime
Drilly Rucksack
Mondeo
May 8: Transformer - Lou Reed
I did surprise myself when I realised I hadn't actually listened to this iconic album from start to finish, and it's a wonder as to why - of course, it's brilliant. While the catchy guitar riffs and clean-cut production quality are an easy draw, it's Reed's open lyrical exploration of topics such as sexuality, gender and drugs that are so captivating, considering when Transformer was released. A truly honest and vulnerable record.
Standouts:
Perfect Day
Vicious
Satellite of Love
May 9: Good at Falling - The Japanese House
Good at Falling feels like a double entendre for the album - Amber Bain, AKA The Japanese House, explores the trials of being in love with a spaced-out sound akin to the sensation of drifting into a deep sleep. Her distorted vocals and drawn-out synths produce a dream pop album akin to the style popularised by The 1975; it's no surprise, then, that their frontman Matt Healy collaborated with Bain in producing the album.
Standouts:
Wild
You Seemed So Happy
Maybe You're the Reason
May 10: Soul Mining - The The
Despite their incredibly annoying name, The The's Soul Mining is a glowing example of the exciting new talent that the British post-punk wave brought in the early 80s. A cool blend of experimental electronic instruments and vocals with a somewhat alluring mystique to them, frontman Matt Johnson is not afraid to let the tracks ride out as long as he pleases. Seriously, though, 'The The'? Grow up.
Standouts:
This Is The Day
Perfect
Uncertain Smile
May 11: I Love You Jennifer B - Jockstrap
Jockstrap are an alternative and eccentric pop duo comprised of the vocal talents of Georgia Ellery and heavy production of Taylor Skye. Their debut album, I Love You Jennifer B, is bold in its experimentation, blending tinny beats, quirky sound effects and orchestral instrumentals. While not always finding a core sound to ground itself in, the album has plenty to showcase for this up-and-coming new group's potential.
Standouts:
Jennifer B
Concrete Over Water
Glasgow
May 12: Good Lies - Overmono
After years making a name for themselves as one of the biggest names on the UK dance scene, this year Welsh duo Overmono finally dropped their debut record, Good Lies. While many of the tracks on here may have been released for a while as singles, this collection stands more as a testament to the ethereal techno sound that the group has helped to cultivate on today's dancefloors, standing tall with the likes of Bicep and Floating Points.
Standouts:
Walk Thru Water
Arla Fearn
Is U
May 13: 3 Feet High and Rising - De La Soul
De La Soul are a group I've always been fond of, mostly due to their collaborations with Gorlliaz. Their debut, 3 Feet High and Rising, is a great proper introduction to the classic hip hop trio, packed with witty lyricism, funky beats and a few skits here and there. Overall, there's a feel-good sound to the album which is often missing from modern hip-hop; maybe it's time for a nostalgic renaissance.
Standouts:
Jenifa Taught Me (Darwin's Revenge)
The Magic Number
Buddy
May 14: Discovery - Electric Light Orchestra
The second Electric Light Orchestra entry of the year and the second album titled Discovery - I once again came away feeling thoroughly satisfied and energised. Jeff Lynne seems to occupy this space in the musical sphere that few other artists have been able to pull off to the same brilliance, with a fine blend of classical, rock and disco. Discovery is more concise than Out of the Blue, which works to its advantage in making it the more memorable record.
Standouts:
The Diary of Horace Wimp
Shine A Little Love
Don't Bring Me Down
May 15: Heaven To A Tortured Mind - Yves Tumor
It's hard to describe the experimental sound of Yves Tumor, due to their seamless transition between different styles across Heaven To A Tortured Mind. Think early 2000s emo meets psychedelic rock, with a sprinkle of alt hip-hop - a real collage of musical influence. Ultimately, though, Yves Tumor's music is wholly their own, reaching out into new territory and finding new ways to use vocals as their own kind of instrument.
Standouts:
Kerosene!
Gospel For A New Century
Super Stars
May 16: Subtract - Ed Sheeran
Being the first artist I ever saw live, I've always had a soft spot for Ed Sheeran. However, it has to be said that his music had headed in a distinctly downward direction in recent time, with many labelling Sheeran a sell-out. Subtract harks a little back to Ed's folk beginnings, and in these moments the album is more impressive, but in between that is the bland pop music that has become a mainstay for the artist's sound.
Standouts:
Boat
End Of Youth
Curtains
May 17: Beat - King Crimson
Listening to King Crimson's Beat, it's hard to believe that this was an album released in the early 80s - much like their contemporaries Talking Heads, their sound simply feels ahead of its time. At the core of this innovative style is a freedom among the guitars and drums to move through the songs almost in a flow state, going where they please and for as long as they need to. Greg Lake's strong vocals compliment this well, moving along in a smooth symbiosis with the instrumentation.
Standouts:
Neal And Jack And Me
Waiting Man
The Howler
May 18: Negro Swan - Blood Orange
Dev Hynes – AKA Blood Orange – may have been raised in Ilford, but his progressive R&B sound takes clear influence from his creative base in New York. Negro Swan explores black identity through Hynes' lens, unpacking themes in between trauma and hope, set against a backdrop of calming horns and keys. Voice recording samples are interlaced throughout to help further the imagination of Blood Orange's world, one that takes a cautious optimism towards life.
Standouts:
Chewing Gum
Take Your Time
Out Of Your League
May 19: Broken By Desire To Be Heavenly Sent - Lewis Capaldi
After his huge breakthrough in 2019, Lewis Capaldi became epitomised by his sad piano ballads - on his sophomore album Broken By Desire To Be Heavenly Sent, he builds on the strengths of his debut, at some points entering a more energetic space. Capaldi simply knows how to write a catchy tune, and while his song structure may become a tad repetitive after a while, he's clearly here to stay.
Standouts:
The Pretender
Forget Me
How I'm Feeling Now
May 20: Guero - Beck
Beck is an artist who time and again refuses to stick to one lane, and with each album he releases he seems to reinvent himself, even if just a little. On Guero, he harnesses a sound that lies somewhere between rock and hip-hop, with songs comprised of head-nodding beats, hard basslines and Beck's instantly-recognisable vocals. His recent Gorillaz collaborations come as no surprise, with nods to the group's sound found throughout this album.
Standouts:
Go It Alone
Black Tambourine
Girl
May 21: BAM BAM - Seeed
Founded in Berlin and consisting of eleven members, Seeed are dancehall/reggae group providing nothing but good vibes. The blending of these two genres works so well, maximising energy in the grooviest way possible - this album has me picturing being at a barbeque on the hottest day of the year. One does not have to know any German to have a good time listening to this one.
Standouts:
Lass Sie Gehn
G€LD
Lass Das Licht An
May 22: Laid - James
James are one of the many great successes to come out of the Madchester era, and Laid paints an excellent picture of what the band is all about. The album is all about love and sex – as the title alludes to – and there's a nice blend of lyricism offered up, from the tongue-in-cheek to the more profound. The instrumentation also finds a nice balance, between the energetic style of James' Madchester contemporaries, and the more airy sound found with The Cocteau Twins.
Standouts:
Sometimes
Say Something
Laid
May 23: I Do Not Want What I Haven't Got - Sinead O'Connor
I Do Not Want What I Haven't Got is certainly not the most gleeful of albums, but Irish folk singer Sinead O'Connor's hypnotic vocals, paired with some dramatic strings really cannot be ignored. While this does bring an enchanting nature to the album, other than her lead single – covering Prince's Nothing Compares 2 U – there's not much for me to want to come back to here. An interesting listen, but would I be wrong for calling it a little dull?
Standouts:
Nothing Compares 2 U
Black Boys on Mopeds
Feel so Different
May 24: The Rabbit That Hunts Tigers - Yin Yin
This band may originate in the Netherlands, but their name and style would lead you to believe they were from the other side of the world. Using experimental South Asian sounds, Yin Yin's The Rabbit That Hunts Tigers delivers an album of instrumentals dominated by some epic guitar pieces. Some more modern dance sounds are thrown in to create a sound that feels uniquely the band's own, often producing images of old Western movies in my head while listening.
Standouts:
One Inch Punch
Kroy Wen
The Rabbit That Hunts Tigers
May 25: Glasshead - Tommy Newport
Glasshead is an album that sits nicely among the new wave of psychedelic pop, with a sound that may remind one of Tame Impala or MGMT. Tommy Newport's falsetto-pitch and echoey voice bring a dreamy aesthetic to the album, accompanied by some indulgent basslines that really bring the funk out of a few of the tracks. The lyrics may be a little cliché at times, but the main draw here lies on the sonic side.
Standouts:
Calabasas
Nicotine
Jonny's Habit
May 26: Cool For Cats - Squeeze
New wave rockers Squeeze know how to have a good time on Cool For Cats. Their storytelling lyrical style delivers a picture of adolescent life at the time in 70s England, full of nights on the town and dead-end jobs. Their array of accompanying instruments keeps every track fresh and entertaining, with Difford and Tilbrook's vocal performances ringing true to their South London roots.
Standouts:
It's Not Cricket
Up The Junction
Revue
May 27: PARTY GATOR PURGATORY - Temps
An experimental hip-hop project fronted by comedian James Acaster was definitely not on my 2023 bingo, but here we are nonetheless. If PARTY GATOR PURGATORY is anything, it's ambitious, combining a whole host of sounds and vocal features; one may be compelled to compare it to Gorillaz' sound, albeit a little more out there. This is not entirely to my taste, but it's exciting to see a new hip-hop group ignoring all conventions and trying something brand new.
Standouts:
partygatorpurgatory
ificouldjust
no,no
May 28: Beautiful World - Take That
Sometimes, you're simply in the mood for some corny throwback pop music. To categorise Take That in such a way may seem a little harsh - songwriter Barlow has some serious talent in the way of delivering a catchy tune that flies a little above the standard generic sound. Beautiful World has some timeless pop songs, and the vocal talents of the four gents compliment each other nicely. Shine is a tune I will simply never ever get bored of.
Standouts:
Patience
Shine
I'd Wait For Life
May 29: KAYTRAMINÉ - Kaytranada & Aminé
Rapper-producer collaboration albums are all the rage right now, and this time it's Kaytranada and Aminé getting in on the action. Their respective sounds blend together seamlessly, as Aminé flows over each beat graciously. There's a coolness to the whole album which is signature to Kaytranada's style, and with the help of a few features along the way, this definitely feels like more than just 'another collaboration album'.
Standouts:
4EVA
Who He Iz
Sossaup
May 30: Blowin' Your Mind! - Van Morrison
Irishman Van Morrison now spans over seven decades, but it all started with the blues-inspired Blowin' Your Mind!. Morrison's vocal style feels candid and fresh for its time, with a similar spoken-word approach that his contemporaries such as Iggy Pop and Jim Morrison were experimenting with. The instrumentation is apt for its time, though, lacking any real unique focus - with production taken contractually out of Morrison's hands, this may be a reason for the unoriginality.
Standouts:
T.B. Sheets
Brown Eyed Girl
Spanish Girl
May 31: The English Riviera - Metronomy
Metronomy are one of these groups who – on paper – should be right down my alley, but for whatever reason have always passed me by. Their soft blend of electronic and indie rock is pleasing to the ear to be sure, but I can't get it out of my head that they sound too much like a Hot Chip knock-off, lyrically and sonically. Some recognisable hits in here, though, and it certainly plays well for some good background music on a warm summer's day.
Standouts:
Everything Goes My Way
The Look
The Bay
Comments