May 2026 (playlist)

My monthly playlist of music I listened to throughout the month. I'm going to try a new thing this month where I write a few sentences about some of the picks. I might not do this every month. Enjoy!

Rosali-"Other Side" 

Rosali is one of my favorite musicians working today. I loved her last album Bite Down and have been eagerly anticipating something new from her/the band for a while. This is a great song, and hopefully a sign of more material to come. 

Tatsuya Nakamura- "Locus" 

Continuing my Japan trip-inspired exploration of J-Jazz, I discovered this album from BBE's great J-Jazz compilations. They reissued this album separately and I was lucky to score a reasonably priced version stateside. If you wanna know where mid-70s Miles mind melting fusion went after Miles' semi-retirement, look no further than this album. 

Death Grips-"Guillotine" 

Jokermen have started a series on Death Grips after the Beach Boys so I'm listening along. I have never heard a note of this band's music before this series. Not what I was expecting: both more experimental and catchier than I thought it would be. This track is a gas. 

Tirez Tirez- "Dreams"

I love that the people at Numero can still unearth music I have never heard of from previous decades that manages to sound like an instant classic. 

Portishead-"Magic Doors" 

Is Portishead underrated at this point? They have a perfect discography (three classic studio LPs and a classic live record), had a huge impact on music in the later half of the 90s (and beyond) and haven't tarnished their legacy with bad solo records or needless reunion tours. Every time I hear a Portishead song out and about (as was the case with this Third deep cut) I am reminded again of their awesomeness. 

Cass McCombs-"Opposite House" 

I heard two McCombs tracks out and about this month (the other being "Dreams Come True Girl") and was reminded that I haven't spent enough time listening to his records lately. One of my favorite contemporary songwriters. 

Young Miko-"WASSUP"

I know nothing about Latin trap music but I heard this and really dug the production, beats and flow. 

Stevie Wonder-"Saturn" 

Celebrated Stevie's birthday this month. This is from the 7" Something Extra E.P. that came with Song In the Key of Life LP, which celebrates its 50th anniversary this year. I'm going to go deep on that record closer to its release (two days after my birthday) as a second part of my Miles/Stevie essay. 

Bob Dylan- "It Hurts Me Too" 

Bob celebrated his 85th birthday yesterday and the Never Ending Stories podcast has been going deep on the fascinating Self-Portrait double LP. 

Szabor Gabo- "People" 

If you ever wondered what would happen if psych rock and Barbara Streisand were ever smushed together.