10 Albums to Look Forward to in May 2026

As with last month, May is set to feature an eclectic array of heavyweight titles that merit your attention. We would like to acknowledge a few artists—American Football, Pigeon, Aldous Harding, and Sparta—who did not make the cut but could have been included during a less packed month.

As always, our comprehensive overview of upcoming releases has you covered:

Release Schedule

Our release schedule is a regularly updated guide to upcoming album and EP releases.

No RipcordDavid Coleman

1 May

Kacey Musgraves – Middle of Nowhere (Lost Highway)
[Official] Country 🇺🇸

I was as surprised as anyone when I found myself hammering Kacey Musgraves’ Deeper Well to death in the Spring of 2024. I really enjoyed that record, with the jangle infused “Cardinal” a particular standout. Musgraves obviously has a sensational voice, but her underrated humour and self-deprecating style really came to the fore last time out. Lead single “Dry Spell,” with its ridiculously suggestive video, suggest Middle of Nowhere will offer plenty of the same. (DC)

Weird Nightmare – Hoopla (Sub Pop/Dine Alone)
[Bandcamp] Alternative 🇨🇦

Weird Nightmare, the project of singer and guitarist Alex Edkins, might not immediately ring a bell by name alone. But there’s a good chance that you’ve heard his other band, noise rockers METZ, which we’ve praised here in the past. But what you might not know about his latest, Hoopla, is that the musical direction he takes leans more on vintage power pop and garage rock. As fans of both genres, especially the former, colour us excited! (JR)

8 May

Broken Social Scene – Remember the Humans (Arts & Crafts)
[Bandcamp] Indie rock 🇨🇦

It’s been a busy year for 2000s Canadian indie rock veterans. Following releases from the much-beloved New Pornographers and Metric, frontperson Kevin Drew and his bandmates are releasing their first new material in nine years. But when it comes to new music from Broken Social Scene, I tend to have slightly more interest in their work. Produced by David Newfeld, who contributed to their acclaimed early 2000s albums, Remember the Humans is expected to exhibit the same anthemic energy that made them such a likable band during their peak years. (JR)

Gun Outfit – Process & Reality (Upset the Rhythm)
[Bandcamp] Indie/Alternative 🇺🇸

Stop me if I sound too romantic, but as a citizen of Los Angeles who also frequents the Pacific Northwest, I consider the desert rock of Gun Outfit as tailor-made for anyone who loves getting lost in this coast’s sprawling panoramic landscapes. Flying under the radar for close to 20 years, the West Coast band remains one of indie music’s best-kept secrets, having quietly released a stellar body of work that spans many styles: SST Records, The Byrds-circa Sweetheart of the Rodeo, the New Hollywood Cinema movement, and more. Not too bad, huh? And Process and Reality, their first album in six years, is an 80-minute double album that promises another bewitching blend of patient dusty jams and cinematic soundscapes. (JR)

The Lemon Twigs – Look For Your Mind! (Captured Tracks)
[Bandcamp] Power pop 🇺🇸

There’s nothing vaguely contemporary about the Lemon Twigs. While their unashamed retro stylings have certainly veered close to pastiche at times—especially in their early career—the Twigs have been on a remarkable run since 2023’s breakthrough record, Everything Harmony. I’m expecting more of the same expertly judged power pop on Look For Your Mind! (DC)

15 May

The Field – Now You Exist (Studio Barnhus)
[Bandcamp] Electronic 🇸🇪

We’ve reviewed four of Alex Willner’s albums in the past, and his mean score of 8.33 must be one of the highest in our 27 year history. A five track EP, Now You Exist is Willner’s first The Field project in 8 years. Given his impeccable track record, this one feels like an easy recommendation. (DC)

22 May

Mabe Fratti & Bill Orcutt – Almost Waking (Unheard of Hope)
[Bandcamp] Experimental 🇬🇹/🇺🇸

Guatemalan cellist Mabe Fratti’s unlikely collaboration with acclaimed guitarist American Bill Orcutt came about after she referenced his music in an article. I’ve only heard two tracks so far, but Almost Waking sounds like a boundless delight and a true testament to the cross-genre, cross-generational, and cross-cultural connections music can create. (DC)

29 May

Iceage – For Love of Grace & the Hereafter (Mexican Summer)
[Bandcamp] Post-punk 🇩🇰

Having appreciated their work since day one, I couldn’t leave out Danish art punks Iceage out of this preview. If you don’t believe me, you can find a review I wrote of their debut LP, New Brigade, in our archives. Much has changed since then, but their incredibly consistent track record hasn’t. And judging by their expectedly literate album title, For Love of Grace & the Hereafter, Iceage’s long-awaited return should satiate anyone chuffed by their thoughtful approach to songwriting. (JR)

Greg Mendez – Beauty Land (Dead Oceans)
[Bandcamp] Indie rock 🇺🇸

Philly indie rocker Greg Mendez has been making music for two decades now, but he didn’t come onto my radar until his self-titled 2023 album became something of a slow-burn success story, deservedly earning its spot on our Best Albums of 2023 list. It’ll be interested to see if he can deliver against a backdrop of raised expectation this time around. (DC)

Kurt Vile – Philadelphia’s been good to me (Verve Records)
[Official]  Indie rock/Folk rock 🇺🇸

While he might give the impression that he’s phoning it in, Kurt Vile has undoubtedly refined a distinctive style that doesn’t come as easily to others. The laid-back rocker has signed with legendary Universal subsidiary Verve Records for his latest, Philadelphia’s been good to me, yet his usual signifiers remain intact. I even find the lead single from the album, “Chance to Bleed,” goofier than some of his past work. (JR)

I’ve taken the liberty of compiling these picks in a short May 2026 Preview playlist on Spotify. Other streaming services are available.