If your playlists are due for a refresh, these new drops might do the trick—no algorithms needed. From quiet heartbreak to #diytourng to one-woman orchestras, this roundup covers ground in all directions. Settle in for your May New Music Alert.
1. Inzul’s been quietly shaping Peru’s indie pop scene for a while now, and their new single “Me Dejaste De Querer?” might be one of their most emotionally dialed-in songs yet. The track, a collab with MC Aese, leans into soft melancholy without losing that signature smoothness fans know from Subterráneo and earlier releases like “A + B.” It’s the kind of song that gently disperses. They’ll be playing in Lima this May—might be worth catching live while it’s still intimate.
2. Topeka Clementine’s third album, Topeka Clementine III, leans into thoughtful, slightly scrappy songwriting—the kind that reminds you of your Jack Kerouac collection. Tracks like “Lady Love (take 2)” and “Oceanside Song (Live at Pour House)” feel lived-in, honest, and remind you to call your mom. He’s currently on his self-declared #diytouring trek, taking these songs on the road. Next stop, Oregon.
3. Victor Ray just dropped I WILL.— acompact EP that dances with soul, R&B, and light hip-hop undercurrents. It’s reflective without being heavy, with tracks like “World At My Feet” carrying the slow-build confidence he’s known for. And lucky us, he’s hitting just about everywhere on his global tour. Find a city near you!
4. Amelia Day’s new single “Mama” carries the same disarming honesty that made her EP Therapist’s Wet Dream—which features the notably beloved track “Skipping Down the Sidewalk”—a standout. Folk-rock with an edge of intimacy, Amelia reflects on the. She just wrapped her People Pleasing Tour, and we hope this break includes another drop or two.
5. Respira marks Bia Nogueira’s return to full-length albums, with a collection that feels at home and invites us into her Brazilian pop roots. The track “Calma” blends her melodic, vocal warmth, and suddenly, you’re in it. No shows announced for now, but it’s the kind of album that’ll hold you over on quiet mornings when you need that gentle boost.
6. Maija Kauhanen teamed up with Johannes Geworkian Hellman to craft something that feels ancient and modern all at once: welcome, Migrating. With kantele, nyckelharpa, and what can only be called “organic beats,” this new album wanders through earthy, chilled-out enchantment. Catch them live with shows across Finland this summer—a great excuse to pretend you had a trip to Helsinki in the works.
7. Jordyn Simone’s single “HOLD ME” has racked up plays since its release last year, and she’s not slowing down. She just gave her latest EP, REMEMBER WHEN, the deluxe treatment (because feelings deserve extended versions, too). With new verses from Ben Reilly and Gemaine, the project dives even deeper into the “we’re on a break” territory. Jordyn’s recent release party in LA was appropriately deluxe, including a merch drop that might outlive your last relationship. Fingers crossed more shows (or a tour…?) are on the horizon, brb refreshing for updates!
Catch these artists and others just like them at a Sofar show near you!
