A new month means a fresh start, and May is off to a strong start. With the Spring sun evaporating morning dew, creating an eerie yet stunning fog that lies low to the ground, witnessing these water droplets turn ethereal feels like an omen for the new month: allow things to happen naturally, and beauty will result. That is exactly what many of the artists featured on the first Caustic Commentary of May did, as we explore the return of modern Hip-hop innovators, indie rock veterans, and pop innovators. Maturity is the act of moving forward, and going anywhere except backward is always a good sign. Take a note from this week’s Caustic, and remember to step out in the sun and take a deep breath; everything happens when it’s supposed to.
Check out Glide’s picks for the week’s best new music, and be sure to follow May’s Caustic Spotify Playlist so you don’t miss a single tune throughout the month.
The Claypool Lennon Delirium – “Through the Horizon”
The Great Parrot-Ox and the Golden Egg of Empathy
Les Claypool and Sean Ono Lennon return to their beloved, kaleidoscopic duo project for the first time in 7 years. However, the songs of The Great Parrot-Ox and the Golden Egg of Empathy showcase a chemistry unaltered by time. The Claypool Lennon Delirium fill their return album to the brim with captivating psychedelia stretched to prog-rock lengths by daring guitar work and hauntingly beautiful vocals. “Through the Horizon” is a honed fever dream, creating an alarming sense of urgency only to bring things to a soothing halt with moments of head-spinning guitars and sturdy percussion.
Tori Amos – “Strawberry Moon”
In Times Of Dragons
The undeniable pop innovator and long-standing sonic magician Tori Amos adds another dimension to her legendary discography with the release of In Times of Dragons. Amos’s sprawling 17-song album is an epic journey of grand pop that is stubbornly present, wholeheartedly aware of the personal woes and the pitfalls of the world, yet finding the strength to put these pains into melody. “Strawberry Moon” is a seance to the sky, with the vocals reaching another stratosphere while dark piano melodies act as the rope keeping us tethered to Earth.
Gabrielle Cavassa – “To Say Goodbye”
Diavola
The jazz vocal stylings of Gabrielle Cavassa earn support from Blue Note Records and an A-list backing band on the artist’s label debut, Diavola. The rainy 10-song album evokes spirits that don’t look familiar until they’re up close, as Cavassa’s syrupy vocals melt over plush, subdued arrangements. “To Say Goodbye” is a heartbreaking highlight, with Cavassa painting a portrait of someone broken, a small sliver of light creeping in from a half-opened door as you just watched someone you love walk through for the last time.
Weird Nightmare – “Little Strange”
Hoopla
Metz frontman Alex Edkins returns to the solo spotlight for the sophomore effort from his Weird Nightmare project. Hoopla, the first album from the artist since 2022, is ten crashing examples of the fuzzy punk warmth Edkins generates when left to his own devices, lending to a 10-song collection that can barely be contained. “Little Strange” bounces off the walls with lively, twisted guitar riffs and soaring vocals.
The Black Keys – “Who’s Been Foolin’ You”
Peaches!
The Black Keys continue this new prolific chapter of their career with the release of their third album in three years. Peaches! is a return to form for the blues-rock duo, as they employ gritty lo-fi to emphasize the delicate art of a cover, with the ten-song LP comprising select blues classics filtered through The Black Keys’ visions. Their take on Arthur “Big Boy” Crudup’s “Who’s Been Foolin’ You” is a cacophony of mind-settling fuzz, lined with hints of soul.
Emily Nenni – “Good Ma’am”
Movin’ Shoes
Singer/songwriter Emily Nenni looks to build on the momentum from her 2024 LP with the release of Movin’ Shoes, a deeper look into Nenni as an artist and person. These 13 songs celebrate independence and individuality with toe-tapping honky tonk energy that is neither nostalgic nor contemporary, allowing Nenni to carve a lane of her own in a burgeoning country scene. “Good Ma’am” is a rock-tinted anthem with dancing pianos that emphasize Nenni’s sentiment.
Hiss Golden Messenger – “Mercy Avenue”
I’m People
The MC Taylor-led Hiss Golden Messenger emerges after three years with the release of I’m People. The deeply personal 12-song outing still finds time to be empathetic, with Taylor learning more about himself through deep conversations with others, resulting in an intimate listen that is eye-opening yet relatable. “Mercy Avenue” highlights Taylor’s storytelling through palpable emotions and vivid imagery, all swirling around downtrodden acoustics.
American Football – “Patron Saint of Pale”
American Football (Lp4)
After seven years and the departure and return of their drummer, Midwest indie rock heroes American Football end their indefinite hiatus with the release of their fourth self-titled effort. The Mike Kinsella-led outfit is as potent and spellbinding as ever, pushing the sound they helped coin in a new direction through heady production nuances, intoxicating guitars, and enough space for the listener to find their own truths amid it all. “Patron Saint of Pale” is a heady display of the band’s maturity, with the lead vocals paired with angelic backing harmonies to support the performance against the warping guitar riffs.
face of ancient gallery – “House Show”
Like Kites
Jermey Mock has been circulating between projects on the East Coast, bouncing between sessions for others and the newly minted outfit bloodsports, but to get a true view into Mock’s artistry, the roads lead to face of ancient gallery. Mock’s atmospheric solo project allows the artist’s lofty visions to roam without judgment, creating ethereal experimentation that focuses on twinkling acoustic tricks. Like Kites, the sophomore effort from face of ancient gallery, has arrived, and “House Show” is just one slice of the magic contained on this tracklist. Mock’s vocals carefully step around sparse guitar riffs to deliver a vibrant love story.
Isaiah Rashad – “M.O.M.”
IT’S BEEN AWFUL
The acrobatic vocalist and vulnerable poet Isaiah Rashad pushes his melodic honesty to deeper levels of self-analysis on his long-awaited LP, IT’S BEEN AWFUL. The 16-song outing is a reflective one, with Rashad narrating the five years since his last album by looking in the mirror and deciding to hold nothing back, resulting in an incredibly personal LP that still finds time for infectious melodies and impressive rapping. “M.O.M.” details Rashad’s headspace as he creates his latest, an up-tempo overview of the truths he faces throughout IT’S BEEN AWFUL.
Marcus King & The Marcus King Band – “Lilac Wine”
Darling Blue / No Room For Blue
After returning to The Marcus King Band in 2025 with the release of Darling Blue, and initially releasing this LP as a Record Store Day Exclusive, No Room For Blue, a collection of bonus tracks from the band’s previous album, is available digitally. The release adds another 12 songs to the original 14 and offers a raw look into the band’s recording sessions. “Lilac Wine” is a rolling highlight with King’s soulful vocals cascading over off-kilter twang.
Vince Staples – “Blackberry Marmalade”
Cry Baby
The ever-evolving and incomparable Vince Staples returns with news of a fresh LP and his first piece of new music since 2024’s Dark Times LP. Cry Baby, a ten-song LP, is set to arrive on June 5, and the searing, urgent “Blackberry Marmalade” is our first preview. The lead single is a sprint of a listen, with blistering tempos that serve as the perfect vehicle for the harsh realities Staples details throughout.
Hannah Cohen – “Golden Chain”
Single
Coming off the release of her critically acclaimed 2025 album, Earthstar Mountain, singer/songwriter Hannah Cohen releases her first new music of the year with “Golden Chain.” The dream-like tune cast a multicolored fog over the room, with Cohen’s delicate vocals lighting up the clouds like distant thunder, detailing longing amid the quaint ambiance.
JPEGMAFIA – “babygirl”
EXPERIMENTAL RAP
One of the more innovative and prolific working musicians sets their sights on the next chapter of their discography, as JPEGMAFIA prepares the world for a 25-song monster. EXPERIMENTAL RAP is set to arrive on May 23, and the hectic “babygirl” is our lead single. JPEG employs a blazing vocal delivery that leaves the heart-pounding instrumental in shambles, as the artist’s bargadocious rhymes navigate thudding vocal samples.
Love Spells – “Crutch”
Single
The contemporary neo-soul artist who has received co-signs from the likes of Erykah Badu and collaborated with Kevin Abstract, Love Spells, proves exactly why he’s launched into the hearts of modern music icons with “Crutch.” The psychedelic new single features the artist’s decadent vocal tones whirling around a rich ambiance as they face the harsh truths of co-dependency.
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