Essential Listening: The best new music releases in May 2024

Firstly, if you haven’t heard Billie Eilish’s fantastic new pop masterpiece, it’s better late than never. Secondly, come back afterwards to discover the other best new music releases in May 2024! 

Among those we've added to the playlists this week are The National, Lupe Fiasco, Childish Gambino, Low Steppa & Nolek, Patrick Topping & Ewan McVicar, Beth Gibbons, Peggy Gou, Disrupta, Bru-C with General Levy, MC Spyda, and Eksman, DJ Premier & Chance The Rapper, Blondshell, BADBADNOTGOOD, and Lens & Unglued. Yep, it's been another incredible week for new tunes. 

Check out the best new music of May 2024, secure tickets, and follow our playlists below. 

 

Essential Listening: House and Techno

 

Lobster Telephone - Peggy Gou 

The South Korean DJ and producer star behind the 2023 summer chart-topper ‘(It Goes Like) Nanana’ is back with another dreamy dance track inspired by the 90s.

Embodying everything she’s known for, ‘Lobster Telephone’ features Peggy’s vocals and a chic, dreamy soundscape but remains danceable. 

Taken from her forthcoming 10-track debut album I Hear You, which is due out on the 7th of June, the track is Gou’s personal favourite track and is named after a 1936 Salvador Dali sculpture. 

 

Get tickets to see Peggy Gou live here:

 

PEGGY GOU plus special guests | Saturday 17th August 2024 | Gunnersbury Park in London

Buy tickets:

 

---

 

Essential Listening: Indie and Alternative

 

Bada bing, bada boom - Jack Savoretti ft Miles Kane

Taken from Savoretti’s eighth studio album Miss Italia, which was released on Friday, ‘Bada bing, bada boom’ is sung in Italian, as is the rest of the album. 

Miles Kane, who indie fans will likely know from his solo work and/or The Last Shadow Puppets, joins on vocals on this sultry track. Joyful and catchy too, the track is incredibly well complimented by Savoretti’s brooding voice as well as his rougher rock-adjacent growl. 

Featuring many qualities of Mediterranean music, this one takes you away to the land of rich wine, sun, and cobbled streets. 

 

Get tickets to see Jack Savoretti live here:

 

Jack Savoretti | Friday 5th July 2024 | Dreamland in Margate, Kent

Buy tickets:

 

---

  

Essential Listening: Drum & Bass and Jungle

 

Crunchy Nutter - Unglued & Lens

Brighton’s Unglued has linked up with Brighton-based Lens, who’s on a serious hot steak after dropping ‘After Party’ in March and now this, with an energetic and menacing one. 

Living up to its name, ‘Crunchy Nutter’ is a dark and filthy track with loads of sounds so thick you know they’d be crunchy if you could munch down on them. From the mad bass lines to the hazy synths, the heavy percussion to the beat switches, it’s a track that keeps you on your toes. 

Having collabed on a few tracks before, Lens and Unglued is a tried and tested formula that slaps every time. 

 

Get tickets to see Unglued & Lens live here:

 

Hospitality On The Harbour Festival (Unglued, Lens, and more) | Saturday 3rd August 2024 | Bristol City Centre Lloyds Amphitheatre in Bristol

Buy tickets:

 

---

 

Essential Listening: Hip-Hop and Jazz

 

Your Soul & Mine - BADBADNOTGOOD 

The Canadian instrumental band exploring jazz recently dropped a new EP, Mid Spiral: Chaos. On it, you can find six tracks that are perfect for chilling to, including this one, ‘Your Soul & Mine’. 

A little livelier than the rest of the project, ‘Your Soul & Mine’ has plenty of moreish moments including those simple but unforgettable guitar licks, the addictive percussion, and of course the regal horn loops. 

One of the best-loved names in contemporary jazz right now, the band is especially known for their impressive ability to command a crowd when they’re on stage. Seeing BBNG live is definitely on our to-do lists…

 

Get tickets to see BADBADNOTGOOD live here:

 

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

Buy tickets:

 

---

 

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

 

---

  

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: Peggy Gou / Instagram.com