Music

Preview

The 19 albums we can’t wait to hear in May

Including new records from Sigrid, Arcade Fire, Kendrick Lamar, Wilco and Florence + The Machine


6 May

Belle And Sebastian – A Bit Of Previous

“It’s been seven years since we last heard from Belle & Sebastian. The lovely Go-Betweens-esque opener ‘Young And Stupid’ is an instant reminder that the world of 2022 is very much ready for their return. Nowhere is that more evident than on the heart-breaking ‘If They’re Shooting At You’ which addresses the war in Ukraine. Nobody quite sees this world like Stuart Murdoch and his wry, empathetic viewpoint is needed more than ever.” Mark

Arcade FireWE

“Somewhere between The Suburbs and Reflektor, Arcade Fire became the band everyone always accused them of being. WE looks set to roll the clock back on Everything Now‘s critics, delivering old-fashioned Mardi Gras grandeur without an ironic jump-suit in sight. With Radiohead’s Nigel Godrich now producing, early signs suggest the band is leaning back into the widescreen art-rock they made their own in the early oughts. This is what stereo speakers, and big sunset festival stages, are made for.” Paul

SigridHow To Let Go

Sigrid‘s first album, Sucker Punch, included anthems like ‘Strangers’ and ‘Don’t Kill My Vibe’ that still feature in my playlists today. And having already released singles ‘It Gets Dark’, ‘Burning Bridges’ and ‘Mirror’, How To Let Go appears to be an equally enduring winner. The Norwegian singer-songwriter is equally entertaining live as she is on record, so these songs should prove worthy additions when she tours later this year.” Orlaith

Sharon Van Etten – We’ve Been Going About This All Wrong

“The thing that we’ve been “going about all wrong” is, apparently, the way we treat albums like playlists. Van Etten crafted a trailer instead of teasing the record with a string of singles and recent (brilliant) tracks ‘Porta’ and ‘Used To It’ won’t be appearing on the new LP. Instead, Van Etten wants us to wait for the 6 May, with a press release telling us “these ten songs are designed to be listened to in order, at once”. What is this, the 90s?! Hopefully…” Paul

Rolling Blackouts Coastal Fever – Endless Rooms

“Nothing is certain in life except death, taxes and great Rolling Blackouts Coastal Fever albums. The Melbourne quintet has already delivered two exceptional albums and two exceptional EPs and there’s nothing about Endless Rooms to suggest that run is about to end. Those propulsive rhythms, chiming guitars, group harmonies and huge choruses remain as impressive as ever. Possible album of the year? Don’t rule it out.” Mark

Emeli Sandé – Let’s Say For Instance

“Assured in her sound, the five singles Sandé’s released from her upcoming fourth studio album each highlight a flexible voice, a soulful tone and direct lyrics that speak directly to the heart. Each track is a stellar composition in its own right and has its own highlights – the electric guitar on the end of ‘Oxygen’ is particularly dreamy – but together they form the beginning of a body of work that knows exactly what direction its heading in, and every detour it will take to get there.” Caitlin

Warpaint – Radiate Like This

“I was just about ready to move on from pandemic albums when Warpaint announced their return after six years with Radiate Like This. They don’t need to tell me twice: I’m ready to sway with my eyes closed like this (‘Stevie’), headnod and grimace like this (‘Hips’) and shuffle around on the spot like a fool like this (‘Champion’).” John

The Stroppies – Levity

“If ever anyone was to wander Melbourne’s bars in search of the next great indie band, they should just make a beeline for wherever The Stroppies are playing. The band’s second album (after stunning debut Whoosh! and the equally great 2020 EP Look Alive) mines the best of Antipodean guitar pop (from The Bats to The Go-Betweens to Dick Diver) for ten energetically catchy indie pop gems.” Mark

13 May

The Smile – A Light For Attracting Attention

“The wait between Radiohead albums seems to be getting longer, but it hasn’t seemed to matter as much since The Smile has been on the horizon. Thom Yorke and Jonny Greenwood’s side project is every bit as exciting as another full band album, if not more so – with Sons Of Kemet’s Tom Skinner adding another layer of complexity to the singles that sound deeper, more haunted and far funkier than anything on A Moon Shaped Pool. Catch the digital release this month before preordering that gorgeous yellow vinyl.” Paul

Bear’s DenBlue Hours 

“Ahead of new album Blue Hours, Bear’s Den have released Frightened Whispers, an introspective and confessional collection of five songs about the breakdown of a relationship. The EP ends with the speaker saying goodbye to the relationship – it will be interesting to see whether the additional songs on the full album simply fill in the gaps or change the story altogether. Blue Hours might, as the name suggests, turn out to be quite a sad body of work, but it will certainly be a beautiful one”. Caitlin

Florence + The Machine – Dance Fever 

“The upcoming fifth studio album from the indie rock band has been described as a fairytale in 14 songs – if anyone is qualified to write such a thing it’s Florence. The four singles so far each play into this idea that the band are creating a mythology of sorts – the folky ‘Heaven Is Here’ in particular feels like a spell is being cast. Florence Welch’s voice is continually dazzling, tremulous and emotive whilst always confident and controlled. Something magical is coming our way.” Caitlin

Mallrat – Butterfly Blue

“The debut from the Aussie singer is a little more experimental than previous EPs – her production has always served more to support her excellent lyrics, but it really shines here in singles ‘Your Love’ and ‘Teeth’. Her recent collaboration ‘Surprise Me’ with Azealia Banks is surprising, pulling her away from pop and electronica and into hop-hop. Butterfly Blue may not be the debut fans expected but Grace Shaw’s songwriting, which has been praised since the start of her career, will always be a sure thing.” Caitlin

Kevin Morby – This Is A Photograph

“The Texan singer-songwriter exists in numerous grey areas: not quite country, partially folk, occasionally indie rock, sometimes nearly punk. The nunchaku-wielding, Nudie-suit-wearing Morby thrives on these contradictions, as evidenced on the two excellent singles that have preceeded This Is A Photograph. This, his seventh album, follows hot on the heels of 2020’s excellent, laconic Sundowner. ‘Rock Bottom’ suggests this will be a more rambunctious affair.” Mark

Kendrick Lamar – Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers

“It’s hard to argue that this isn’t the most anticipated record of the year, and thankfully we won’t have to wait long to hear it. Though his SuperBowl appearance may have been a clue, in April Kung Fu Kenny still surprised fans the world over by announcing the follow-up to 2017’s Pulitzer-winning DAMN. would be released just a matter of weeks later.” John

20 May

Harry Styles – Harry’s House

“Back with his third album, Harry Styles delighted fans this year when he announced the upcoming release of Harry’s House. After the release of a 40-second teaser trailer, Styles dropped the first single from the upcoming album ‘As It Was’, his first since 2019. Early reviews of the album suggest fans are in for a treat and if that doesn’t have you excited, we don’t know what will.” Orlaith

Everything Everything – Raw Data Feel

“Though their 2020 LP Re-Animator seemed to suggest Everything Everything were taking a considered step back from their inherently bizarre but emotionally wrought pop weirdness, all the singles from forthcoming Raw Data Feel suggest they’ve taken back this modus operandi by force, and I’m all for it.” John

27 May

Tate McRae – I Used To Think I Could Fly

“At the age of just 18, Tate McRae has already been in the business for five years releasing hits like ‘One Day’, ‘You Broke Me First’ and ‘You’ – and that’s before she’s released her debut album I Used to Think I Could Fly which is due out this month. Teasing the album with the release of singles ‘She’s All I Wanna Be’, ‘Feel Like Sh*t’, and ‘Chaotic’, McRae has said many of the songs on the record were “just diary entries” where she shared her “ugly feelings”. Orlaith

Liam Gallagher – C’Mon You Know 

“Who would have had 2022 as the year Liam Gallagher became a glam rocker? Or went gospel? Or wrote a song with Dave Grohl? It’s all here, and more, on Gallagher’s biggest push into stadium psychedelia yet – spitting singles (and tweets) in all directions as he takes aim at The Beatles’ Revolver, no less. Arriving alongside a recording of his floating livestreamed barge show, Down By The River Thames, the new record promises plenty and already somehow feels like it’s over-delivering.” Ali

Wilco – Cruel Country

“Wilco returning to their country roots probably wasn’t top of anyone’s 2022 bingo card. For those who maintain that their first two records are still their best, it’s a welcome turn of events. The band paired the announcement with the unveiling of new song ‘Falling Apart (Right Now)’ which suggests this’ll be closer to classic country than the busted up alt-country of A.M. or the ragged roots rock of Being There.” Mark


Tickets are on sale now or soon for many of the names on this month’s list at ticketmaster.co.uk, with a lot of major tours and dates still to be announced for the coming year.