Music to put your mind at ease. These are the songs that swam into our lives this month, and refused to ebb away. Below, the best new music from May 2023. From Yussef Dayes, Jorja Smith, Claud and more...
Weekend, Body Type
Release date: May 4
Brash, bold and bawdy, Body Type are back with Weekend ahead of the release of Expired Candy on June 2. With a chorus that evokes Young Folks by Peter Bjorn and John, if the Swedish band grew their hair out, wore leather and lived in the inner west, we're yearning for a bit of this light-hearted energy in our lives. A feeling vocalist Sophie McComish touched one when she said, "This song is pretty candid really. It's about romance. Lotta people stressin’ about love and dating. Too much overthinking. Loving is fun. Just go all in, even if for only one night".
Little Things, Jorja Smith
Release date: May 12
First off, it's always a pleasure when Lea Ogunlami pops up, as the presenter does at the beginning of the music video. Second, there's something about this track from Jorja Smith that makes a girl want to have a few drinks, hit a party and start something with a person across the room. Lusty and sensual, queue this on Friday night.
Heavy Love, KYE ft. Budjerah
Release date: May 12
KYE and Budjerah have teamed up to make our hearts throb. The vocal pairing is honeyed and hoisted into a energetic dimension through the playful afrobeat influences throughout.
Gila Monster, King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard
Release date: May 16
Love Lord of the Rings? Dig thrash metal? Well those two worlds merge in Gila Monster, the lead single from King Gizzard's florid forthcoming album, PetroDragonic Apocalypse; or, Dawn of Eternal Night: An Annihilation of Planet Earth and the Beginning of Merciless Damnation. It kind of sounds as though the band is screaming, "Ya" as if urging their horses to go faster. I like it.
Dance the Night, Dua Lipa
Release date: May 25
Some of us at RUSSH (ahem, Teressia) have already booked our tickets to see the Barbie movie. The early release of its start-studded soundtrack, which includes the likes of Ice Spice, Charli XCX, Haim, Nicki Minaj, Pink Pantheress, Lizzo and more, arrived with Dua Lipa's own contribution. A disco-infused feel good track to shimmy along to as we hold out for July 20.
Moment, JessB
Release date: May 26
Where JessB amped us up with her last track Can't Fake It, Moment sounds like the hangover afterward. Built to reflect unattainable desires, and all the time and energy that goes into securing what is ultimately fleeting, Moment is sobering and bittersweet.
Every F*cking Time, Claud
Release date: May 29
Given that Claud is represented by Phoebe Bridgers' label Saddest Factory, it should come as no surprise that their music is particularly cutting when it comes to observations around heartbreak, queer relationships and unrequited love.
Rust, Yussef Dayes
Release date: May 31
The marriage of Yussef Dayes and Tom Misch, two Londoners who both hail from its south eastern suburbs, is a highlight from May. Rust, which is an augury from Dayes' upcoming album Black Classical Music, is body-warming and soul-stilling. His drums sway, swivel and swell to the backing vocals and production work of Misch. A true delight.
