The Best of May '26

May 31

It’s the end of May, which means festival season, summer solstice, and half-year music recaps are upon us. But before I get ahead of myself, the last month of spring saw a wealth of sun-soaked, dynamic, and groove-extensive releases. From post-punk debuts to indie-folk returns, keep reading to review all May had in store for indie, alternative, and rock fiens.

RAPID REVIEWS

Listen to Johnny’s Dreamworld on Spotify.

Modern Woman Never Loses Steam in Debut Record, Johnny’s Dreamworld - Tabita Bernardus

“Modern Woman’s debut album is a poetic masterpiece that doesn’t strive to be just one thing. With a foothold in curiosity and a sense of assuredness in the band’s aptitude for experimenting across genres, their approach pushes each track not only to the edge of the cliff, but dives straight into the chasm.”

For Fans Of: scrappy serenades, visceral lyrics, Kate Bush-like vocals

Pollen and Pride: Navigating the Seasonal Shifts of the Soul on Wim Tapley and The Cannons- McKenzie Blasi

“In an era of hyper-curated aesthetics and overproduced indie-pop, there is a distinct, grounding thrill in discovering an album that sounds like it was born in a garage but raised in a cathedral. Wim Tapley’s self-titled effort with his band, The Cannons, is exactly that: a masterclass in sophisticated scruffiness.”

For Fans Of: Americana-leaning indie rock, addictive guitar licks, 70°F afternoons

Watch the music video for “Otherside of Town” on YouTube.

Telescreens’ New Single “Otherside of Town” is Raw Intensity - Eva Elisa Wells

“When we finally break out into the chorus, the guitar explodes and we’re pulled in by an extremely catchy hook keyboard melody. Its grit and wiry qualities are built with a more polished form of technique. The chaotic and immersive nature it holds makes it translate perfectly into their style of intense, high-voltage live performances that leaves the room in shared catharsis.”

For Fans Of: surf rock, post-chorus refrains, public transit

Turnover Returns to Their Roots With Self-Released Double A-Side “Nightjar” / “I See You And Realize”- Jane Flautt

“The double A-side is the perfect one-two punch for a summer day soundtrack. If “Nightjar” evokes the unrestrained energy of a sweltering afternoon, then “I See You And Realize” is the midnight rumination that inevitably follows: moody, expansive, and disquieting.”

For Fans Of: shoegaze, finding ladybugs, moody easy listening

BROOKE’S BONUSES

Maitreya Corso is Maya Hawke’s Master class in Living and Loving with Sincerity

“Maitreya Corso sees Hawke continuing to flex her muscles of folk prowess while breaking free of much of the misery present in her previous records. It’s hard to imagine her humorously singing, “I talk to my toughest critic / Saying, ‘join the club, you’re one of us now,’” on MOSS or Blush, yet she delivers the line with such ease on the gorgeously atmospheric “Heavy Rain.” Hawke’s progression as a musician feels as natural as Maitreya Corso feels tender — and perhaps some tenderness is exactly what the world needs most right now.”

For Fans Of: finding silver linings, Beat poetry, the Rainbow Magic series

Listen to REDSTAR WU & THE WORLDWIDE SCOURGE on Spotify.

Genesis Owusu’s New Album is Sonically Addictive and Thematically Urgent

For better or for worse, I fall into the camp of listeners that never pays attention to lyrics when hearing a song or album for the first — or even second or third — time. It’s almost always sonics first and foremost for me. Yet there are instances when an artist writes with a pen of fire, overwhelming the senses with blazing storytelling that can’t be ignored. On Genesis Owusu’s third studio album, REDSTAR WU & THE WORLDWIDE SCOURGE, the Australian groundbreaker mixes a musical cocktail of hip-hop, synth punk, and alternative funk to establish the palette for his dead-on political and social commentary.

From the stream-of-conscious flow of “THE WORLDWIDE SCOURGE” (“Don’t talk to me ‘bout pledges, anthems / Keep your flag tightly furled / Dancing with the devil on the surface of a burning world”), to the psychedelic sound of desensitization on “HELLSTAR,” and call to “shake that ground” on “STAMPEDE,” the 15-track record holds a mirror to the world’s turmoil and begs listeners to stare directly into the reflection.

For Fans Of: genre-blending beats, protest music, the morning news scroll

Alaina May Drops New Anthem for the Chronic Yearners

Like many television enjoyers, I found myself swept up in pop culture’s newest hockey romance hyperfixation this month: “Off Campus.” While I’m certainly no Briar U series expert, I think it’s safe to say our supporting lead Allie would love Alaina May’s newest single, “Casual.” A track about “wanting something light” while not being “wired for ‘casual,’” as May shared, the song speaks to the natural human urge to seek meaningful connection. The lush production of indie rock’s TOLEDO provides the perfect nuanced atmosphere for May’s honey-soaked alto musings.

For Fans Of: the concept of limerence, dream pop, lavender candles

EXTRAS