Sam Atkins: Much has been said on this website about the lack of properly great albums in the first few months of the year. For me May was the start of what I hope will be a summer full of great records, with some returning and new faves delivering enjoyable albums.
First to shout out is Alison Goldfrapp who has released one of the best dance pop records of year so far with The Love Intention. There’s something so immediately enjoyable about every song here, full of life and danceable from start to end. Jessie Ware is another who delivered once more at the tail end of April. For me That! Feels Good might actually be my least favourite full length Jessie Ware LP, but it’s still packed with brilliant songs like ‘Begin Again’ and the soaring ‘Hello Love’. Arlo Parks also continues to impress with her brand new record, though I’ll need a bit longer to make up my mind there.
My most listened to record from May is a very recent release though, the excellent new LP from Kesha, Gag Order. For me some of the best music of her career it’s stark, interesting and daring in its step away from mainstream pop. I highly recommend my fellow bastards give it a go.
Fran Slater: I’m going for a weird one for my pick of the month for May. Instead of giving a shout out to some obscure folk artist, a new Irish post punk band, or a new release from one of my sad indie favourites, I’m choosing songs from Britney, Bruno Mars, Madonna, and Bowie (okay, that last one is pretty standard me.)
The reason I’ve suddenly gone pop? I just replayed all The Last Of Us games on the PS5 and needed some light relief, so I stuck on a game I recently got for free through my subscription. Sackboy is a 2020 platformer that is definitely largely aimed at kids, but I’ve never seen music used so well in a game. As the little woven hero jumps around collecting orbs and saving the world from Vex, everything on the screen pulses to the sounds of some pretty huge songs.
It’s a total joy and has definitely been my favourite musical experience in May. Maybe that just shows how rarely I get out these days but fuck it. Get some Sackboy in your life.
Rick Larson: My best of May is the same as my best of March and April and likely what will be the greatest music moment of 2023: the release into the stream of De La Soul’s classic albums. Held up for years by label Tommy Boy’s reluctance to clear samples and stuck in the mire of a bitter contractual dispute, these albums are genius and should find a new audience. The first three albums, 3 Feet High and Rising (1989), De La Soul is Dead (1991), and Buhloone Mindstate (1993) are the greatest initial three album stretch in hip hop history. A Tribe Called Quest and Beastie Boys are in that conversation, but, for me, it’s De La by a nose. That era, the golden age of sampling, will never be duplicated; this music will never be matched.
Tom Burrows: After catching West London rapper Bawo‘s Burial-sampling ‘Stay Close’ on Benji B’s Radio 1 show in early May, I was recommended his Legitimate Cause EP by a friend. It has been on rotation ever since. Bawo has a real ear for dreamy, almost ambient instrumentals, which give his music an emotionally resonant and soothing feel. I’d recommend it to electronic music and hip hop fans in equal measure.
Other favourites from May include Kwes‘ suite of songs from the heartwarming Rye Lane film – the Sampha and Tirzah-featuring ‘Open Up’ is just lovely. And I really liked Navy Blue‘s Ways of Knowing album, which is a fine collection of thoughtful, soulful raps.
Matt Paul: My round up of my month starts with Kae Tempest. Their Nice Idea EP was a very nice surprise, with the song ‘Love Harder’ being a particularly strong standout. It’s got big beats and irresistible simplicity. I’ve also been enjoying the KAYTRANADA and Aminé collab: KAYTRAMINÉ. The self-titled album is good summertime vibes, even if it is a little shallow.
The last thing on my list has been the 100 gecs record: 10,000 gecs. I’m confused by how much I’ve listened to this. It’s like chocolate. I know it’s bad for me. But I can’t help myself. When the Ska songs about a frog or pulling a tooth come on I can’t look myself in the eye. But ‘mememe’, ‘Hollywood Baby’ and ‘Dumbest Girl Alive’ have some of the catchiest pop rock I’ve heard in a long while. Before I know what I’m doing, I’ve hit play again.
James Spearing: I cannot talk about May without mentioning Eurovision. It was a tragedy (some might say a conspiracy orchestrated by the evil powers at PB towers) that the site was out of action for the month so we couldn’t mention Eurovision AT ALL. Now it is time to put that right. Both Sam and I started the fun in the audience at the Liverpool arena for the rehearsal for the first semi final. I wore sequins. Bucksfizz were there. I missed Rita Ora’s entire performance while I was in the toilets. And there was a dwarf with a flute. Safe to say it was nothing like any of the gigs we usually write about on this site, and it was brilliant. Tuesday was just the start of nearly a full week of Euro pop madness, culminating in Saturday’s grand final. Bring on Sweden next year.
May was also momentous because it was, as far as I can remember, the first time I’ve got excited about a new artist this year (which is frankly ridiculous but you can read more about why in a different article). That artist is Hollyseus Fly. She’s usually found alongside her Ishmael Ensemble bandmates, and is now striking out on her own. There’s not much to hear right now, but ‘Marigold’ and ‘Within the Water’ are both glorious and well worth a few minutes of your time. Think expansive yet intimate. Think jazz. Think soul. Or better still, don’t think anything. Just listen, and I hope you find an exciting new discovery too.
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