The Best Releases of May 2026
Festival scene got well and truly underway with a littering of day and multi-venue festivals, including Great Escape, Cross The Tracks, Sound City and Dot to Dot.
May for The Indie Scene was a milestone we’ll look back on until the end of time and think, ‘we really achieved that’. And we did it together. In mid-May, we hosted a stage at The Great Escape in Brighton, a festival renowned for its eclectic line-up, putting new talent to the forefront and spreading positive vibes across the seafront and beyond. We won’t talk about the seagull incident, but know that my brand new jacket took quite the hit.
Elsewhere, Drake decided he was going to release not one, not two, but three… interesting albums. We had big returns, namely from Scottish electronic duo Boards of Canada and alternative rockers Basement. Paul McCartney found himself in my favourite spot in London for vegan chicken — Temple of Seitan — for Chicken Shop Date, and Violet Grohl joined a long list of nepo babies who are actually quite good, with the release of her debut album, Be Sweet To Me.
Singles:
1. Jack Kaye — Dora
If you, like me, are missing The Magic Gang, the sterling indie act from Brighton who called it quits in 2024, then frontman Jack Kaye’s debut single might help with that. Dora announces his arrival with a solid indie track to wrap your ears around.
Label: Fascination Street Records
2. jo from school — Chicken
Keeping with the debut single, another fantastic artist to sink your teeth into is Chess Club Records’ latest signing, jo from school, who teeters the line between musicians like Matilda Mann and mary from the junkyard.
Label: Chess Club Records
3. Homer ft. Kendra McKinley — The Love and the Laughter
Homer’s collaboration with Kendra McKinley offers a soft yet addictive slice of soul and is short enough to make you hit repeat. Known as the drummer and founding member of Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings, Homer Steinweiss is releasing some of the best, summer-ready tracks solo, and is one to add to your list.
Label: Big Crown Records
4. Wings of Desire — Your Twenties
The husband and wife duo carry on their streak with another track reminiscent of the best indie music that is made from shouting in your car with the windows down. If you like The 1975 or Inhaler, you might find something to enjoy here.
Label: WMD Recordings
5. Swapmeet — Sand
The alt-rock Aussie four-piece, who sprung onto the scene in 2023 with debut single New Wood, Old Ashes, have announced their debut album, Mount Zero, due for release on July 17th via Winspear. By the sounds of this one, it isn’t one you’re going to want to miss.
Label: Winspear
EPs:
1. levitation room — Equinox
Rating: ★★★★½
Standout track: Let You Go
Label: Independent
2. Dermot Henry — Aiming Torches At The Sun
Rating: ★★★★☆
Standout track: Little Rib
Label: Island Records
3. Maximilian — Diurnals
Rating: ★★★★☆
Standout track: Rest Your Head
Label: Crafting Room Recordings
4. Polhawan — Wild Mountain Time
Rating: ★★★★☆
Standout track: Hollow Moon
Label: Breakfast Records
5. thistle. — backflip
Rating: ★★★★☆
Standout track: tied
Label: REX RECS
Albums:
1. The Lemon Twigs — Look For Your Mind!
Rating: ★★★★★
Standout track: I Just Can’t Get Over Losing You
Label: Captured Tracks
2. Girli — It’s Just My Opinion
Rating: ★★★★☆
Standout track: Slap On The Wrist
Label: Believe UK
3. Damien Jurado + Lilly Miller — Did Something In Me Break
Rating: ★★★★½
Standout track: Cathedral
Label: Independent
4. Ed O’Brien — Blue Morpho
Rating: ★★★★★
Standout track: Incantations
Label: Transgressive
5. My Precious Bunny — A Moment In My Eyes
Rating: ★★★★☆
Standout track: Young Pup
Label: Bella Union
