The Best Songs Released in May 2024

Happy June 🙂 not much to say other than per usual, there’s an overwhelmingly large amount of new music to sift through this month.

Noteworthy album & EP releases:
Britpop, AG Cook
12 Notes, Alec Benjamin
Breaking The Fourth Wall, Allison Ponthier
Room For You, Ber
Hit Me Hard and Soft, Billie Eilish
Look To The East, Look To The West, Camera Obscura
Cyan Blue, Charlotte Day Wilson
You Can’t Put A Price on Fun, Chloe Slater
Frog in Boiling Water, DIIV
14 minutes, Dominic Fike
LONESTAR, Dreamer Boy
Radical Optimism, Dua Lipa
Fragile As Humans, Emily Barker
Jupiter, Forest Claudette
Nowhere, Friday Pilots Club
Head Void, From Indian Lakes
SIGNS, Georgia Webster
I Want It All Right Now (Deluxe), Grouplove
Romanticism, Hana Vu
Here In The Pitch, Jessica Pratt
The Loop, Jordan Rakei
Bug, Kacy Hill
Can We Please Have Fun, Kings of Leon
Spine, Kee Avil
A Dream Is All We Know, The Lemon Twigs
No Paradise, Lightning Bug
Submarine, The Marías
Trauma Lullabies, mehro
Can I Miss It For A Minute?, Nell Mescal
Stampede: Vol. 1, Orville Peck
Marmalade, Phoebe Go
What A Devastating Turn of Events, Rachel Chinouriri
Love Hate Music Box, Rainbow Kitten Surprise
All For Something, Tiny Habits
Clancy, Twenty One Pilots
Reasonable Woman, Sia
With Love, Snarls
Heaven, Softcult
Songs For No One Vol. 2, Victoria Bigelow
Model, Wallows
empathogen, Willow
Sha La La, Winnetka Bowling League
Void, Winona Oak
Ten Fold, Yaya Bey
Queen of Hearts, Zolita

In chronological order:

“Claw Foot” – Royel Otis
Release date – May 2

I am definitely just really obsessed with Aussie duo Royel Otis and could write about every single one of the songs in their discography (which by the way is so much better than their overplayed “Murder On The Dance Floor” cover!) But I honestly believe that “Claw Foot” is one of my favorite releases of the past month. It holds the same energy and addictive sound that some of their best songs have, making it an unskippable jam—the type of song that I feel is perfect to start the morning.

A bonus track released months after the release of the band’s debut album PRATTS & PAIN, I was lucky enough to hear it live a few weeks before, and I can confirm that both the studio and live versions work just as well. Watching Roy and Otis’s rise in the indie scene has been one of my favorite things to happen this year, and I really hope more releases come along the way before the year is over. – Javi

“Poquito Mas” – Kacy Hill
Release date – May 3

Kacy Hill, an alternative pop musician who shockingly seems to be flying under the radar for the past few years, despite consistently making solid music, is back with (in my opinion) her best album in BUG: an ethereal body of work featuring ten near perfect songs about the conflicting pain and beauty of longing, reminiscing, and the struggles of living in the moment.

I wholeheartedly love every single song on this album, but “Poquito Mas” continues to be my standout track, through and through. “Time never lasts, just like they told you,” she sings, wishing she could reach back in time to her seventeen-year-old self and tell her that she’s going to be fine. The song is a timeless example of looking back at previous versions of yourself, at any age, and giving yourself the grace to feel what’s in front of you without letting it slip away. If that doesn’t tug at your heartstrings, I don’t know what will. – Kristin

“BET” – METTE
Release date – May 3

I believe it was only late 2023 when I first heard British pop musician METTE’s music for the first time with her single “Mama’s Eyes,” an infectiously catchy pop song reminiscent of artists like Jessie Ware, Empress Of, and Robyn, with her a take on dance music uniquely her own.

Fast forward to June 2024, and it’s been announced that METTE, who’s only released one EP and a handful of singles since 2021, has received a special opening slot for one of Taylor Swift’s eight Eras Tour shows in London later this year, the other two going to Griff and Benson Boone.

I was beyond excited when I heard this news, considering that I would have never guessed that Swift has heard METTE’s music (I don’t think many fans in Swift’s target demographic have). This will be an excellent opportunity for METTE, who’s also performing at Lollapalooza this year, to widen her fanbase and hopefully receive a bit more commercial awareness.

“BET,” which was co-written by Lauren Aquilina, surely has the potential to be the song of the summer: with it’s incredibly dance-worthy melody, addictive bassline, and glossy lyrics about pursuing a love interest with one million percent confidence that she will win them over in the end. It’s fun, lighthearted, and flirty: perfect for the summer months ahead. – Kristin

“360” – Charli XCX
Release date – May 10

Charli XCX’s latest single, “360,” from her upcoming album, BRAT, is already going viral ahead of the album’s June 7th release. Teased on TikTok, the song’s catchy lyrics, “360, when you’re in the mirror, do you like what you see?” have captivated listeners. The track also references current IT Girl Julia Fox with the line, “I’m so Julia,” adding to its contemporary appeal.

The infectiousness of “360” is no surprise, considering it was produced by A.G. Cook, a frequent collaborator of Charli. The track’s pulsating beats and sharp synth lines showcase Cook’s signature style, enhancing its catchiness. Charli even namechecks him in the song with the line, “You gon jump if A.G. made it,” acknowledging his significant influence on the track’s sound.

The song was released alongside a music video featuring actresses Rachel Sennott and Hari Nef, models Gabriette and Alex Cosani, and more. Perhaps most iconic is a cameo from the original ‘IT Girl,’ Chloë Sevigny. The video begins with Charli arriving late to a dinner party, a gathering of IT girls choosing the next IT girl. They settle on the waitress, after which Charli quips, “Okay now that that’s sorted, can I start my song?”

The video showcases the girls working out in white tanks with glasses of wine, dancing around a body in a hospital, and causing general chaos. The visual’s playful anarchy matches the song’s fun, energetic vibe, which is quintessentially Charli. The combination of Cook’s dynamic production and Charli’s edgy style makes “360” irresistibly catchy.

Adding to the excitement, there’s already a remix out featuring Robyn and Yung Lean. With “360” setting the tone, fans eagerly await the rest of the album. – Jesse

“Deeply Still In Love” – Role Model
Release date – May 10

Thanks to TikTok, Tucker Pillsbury, better known as Role Model, has seen his latest track explode in popularity. The song, which features the heart-wrenching lyrics: “Well I heard you might have found somebody new, I still can’t swallow it, but I think I’m proud of you,” immediately caught the attention of fans: the buzz around these lyrics led to speculation about a very public breakup with Emma Chamberlain. Despite the emotional context, fans appreciated Tucker’s honesty and his effort to take the high road.

The song, produced by Noah Conran, known for his work with artists like Ashe, Tai Verdes, and LANY, is a delightful mix of bouncy and playful beats that contrast beautifully with the introspective lyrics. It’s a candid exploration of post-breakup feelings, especially the bittersweet realization that your ex might be thriving without you.

This track serves as the lead single for Role Model’s sophomore album, Kansas Anymore, which is set to release on July 19. This marks the beginning of a new era for Role Model, highlighted by his decision to wipe his Instagram clean before December 30, 2023. He opened up about his rough few months but expressed optimism, saying he rewrote most of the album in September and was excited about its completion.

Role Model’s honesty and playful cheekiness shine through, promising an album that’s as intriguing as it is heartfelt. This new phase is set to be “horny and new,” as he put it, and if the lead single is any indication, Kansas Anymore will be an album to look out for. Role Model’s transparent and fun approach to music makes this upcoming release highly anticipated, leaving fans eager for more. – Jesse

“A Warning” – Wallows
Release date – May 10

With the release of Wallows’ third album MODEL, we were blessed with a handful of amazing tunes. Although “A Warning” is most likely not a lot of people’s favorites, I personally think it stands out on the 12-track record. Sound wise, it’s slightly less upbeat than some of their best songs, but the almost psychedelic choices and vintage touches in the production give it such a particular vibe that makes it hard to not love it.

Now, the lyrics are also what got me: have you ever been dumped or ghosted out of nowhere? Things were going great, you are happy and they seem happy, and then poof! They are gone? Well, if you’re (unfortunately) familiar with anything familiar to feeling blindsided by your significant other, than this song is for you <3 And luckily it’s fun enough to go through the motions and embrace the feelings while enjoying a great song. – Javi

“The Price” – Abby Holliday
Release date – May 17

While I am very much aware that I run the risk of sounding like a snob with this next statement: it’s fairly rare for me to stumble across an artist like Abby Holliday and not already know of her music. But that’s exactly what happened several weeks ago after the Lollapalooza lineup dropped and I decided to check out her music.

Abby Holliday’s “The Price” is right at home with artists like Phoebe Bridgers and The Japanese House: two artists that Holliday has mentioned as major influences on her creative process. To me, “The Price” is about metaphorically waking up from the deepest sleep of your life and realizing your reality is nothing like what you want it to be: particularly when it comes to being in a relationship that’s no longer serving anyone involved: “All at once, I realize it’s not a crime to love somebody, and let it die if it needs to die.” – Kristin

“Birds of a Feather” – Billie Eilish
Release date – May 17

Billie Eilish’s third studio album, HIT ME HARD AND SOFT has quickly become an instant hit. While “CHIHIRO,” teased during an interview with Zane Lowe, and the lead single “LUNCH,” previewed at her surprise Coachella set, are doing well, it’s the track “Birds of a Feather” that’s having a moment.

“Birds of a Feather” is capturing the public’s imagination and going viral on TikTok: with users sharing videos featuring their pets, siblings, and other loved ones under the theme “Birds of a Feather.” The song appears to be about Billie’s close relationship with her brother Finneas.

In addition to its heartfelt lyrics, the production of “Birds of a Feather” stands out. Unlike Billie’s typically unconventional style, this track feels like a classic pop song. The more conventional production, with its catchy melody and straightforward structure, is likely a key reason for its widespread popularity. This traditional pop approach makes the song accessible to a broader audience while still retaining Billie’s unique emotional depth.

The universal appeal and instant success of “Birds of a Feather” on social media and streaming platforms reflect Billie’s continued influence and her knack for creating music that connects deeply with her audience. The combination of heartfelt lyrics and classic pop production has made this track a standout hit from her latest album. – Jesse 

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