Essential Listening: The best new music releases in May 2024

May 2024 is here which means we’ve got a whole new month of bangers to look forward to! And we’re already off to a great start…

Some of the best new music releases in May 2024 that we’ve added to the playlists include tracks from TSHA, Jess Bays, Bakar, Nubiyan Twist, Cage The Elephant, Shy FX, Diagnostix, Rapsody & Erykah Badu, Paige Julia, Alan Fitzpatrick, Hiatus Kaiyote, Kamasi Washington & Andre 3000, and more.

Check out the best new music of May 2024 below and follow the playlists to keep up with the best new releases in house, indie, techno, hip-hop, DnB, and more. 

 

Essential Listening: House and Techno

 

Ritmo 305 - Melé, Thomas Garcia 

Inspired by Brazillian beats, Melé makes energetic house with some added flavour. Seemingly created simply to get people dancing and smiling, ‘Ritmo 305’ is heavy on percussion, which makes you feel like you’ve just drank three Red Bulls. But in a good way.

Thomas Garcia joined him on this one, crafting an insanely feel-good track that’s as sunny as it is lively. It’s sure to be unreal at a festival with the sun beating down but equally invigorating at an indoor venue. 

 

Get tickets to see Melé live here:

 

Green House Sound - Melé | Friday 10th May 2024 | Hare And Hounds Kings Heath in Birmingham

Buy tickets:

 

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Essential Listening: Indie and Alternative

 

Exactly As It Seems - Home Counties

Synthpop is back! Buckinghamshire band Home Counties have released their debut album Exactly As It Seems, and we wanted to put the single of the same name on your radar. 

Funky, a bit weird, a bit disco-influenced, and packed with personality, ‘Exactly As It Seems’ is irresistibly bouncy and just makes you want to groove along. 

Despite this being the band’s first full-length project, they’ve masterfully carved out their own identity. If you like this, check out their album or one of their gigs! 

 

Get tickets to see Home Counties live here:

 

Home Counties | Tuesday 7th May 2024 | YES Basement in Manchester

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Home Counties + TATYANA | Monday 13th May 2024 | Hare And Hounds Kings Heath in Birmingham

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Essential Listening: Drum & Bass and Jungle

 

Gideon’s Charge - Shy FX, Mr. Williamz, KINGH

Taken from Rudeboy Design, Shy’s upcoming joint sound tape with Mr. Williamz, ‘Gideon’s Charge’ offers us the first taste of what’s to come from the project, which is due to drop on the 7th of June. 

KINGH features on vocals here with Mr. Williamz, infectiously chanting over a menacing piano and that rumbling percussion. Very possibly a modern jungle/DnB classic, we’re sure this’ll be spun at raves and festivals up and down the country and beyond. 

 

Get tickets to see Shy FX live here:

 

Shy FX | Saturday 27th July 2024 | Engine Rooms in Southampton

Buy tickets:

 

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Essential Listening: Hip-Hop and Jazz

 

3:AM - Rapsody ft. Erykah Badu

Coming through with a luscious love song, Rapsody teamed up with the legendary Erykah Badu for the latest teaser for her forthcoming album Please Don’t Cry, which should be with us on the 17th of May. 

Kicking it off with a sensual saxophone and bold but cool bass, ‘3:AM’ is a warm, soulful track that’s complemented perfectly by Rapsody’s bars and Erykah’s seasoned vocals. Commenting on vulnerability and feeling safe but also Netflix asking if you’re still watching, she candidly covers the best moments of a loving relationship that many will relate to. 

 

Get tickets to see Erykah Badu live here:

 

Cross The Tracks Festival (Erykah Badu, Madlib, BADBADNOTGOOD) | Sunday 26th May 2024 | Brockwell Park in London

Buy tickets:

 

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Follow our Essential Listening playlists featured above to discover the best new tracks released each week, as curated by the Skiddle team.

 

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Check out our What's On Guide to discover more rowdy raves and sweaty gigs taking place over the coming weeks and months. For festivals, lifestyle events and more, head on over to our Things To Do page or be inspired by the event selections on our Inspire Me page.

 

 

  

 

 

Header image credit: Mollie Collins / Facebook.com