Happy May Day and welcome to another absolutely stacked New Music Friday for May 1, 2026!
Tori Amos returns with In “Times of Dragons,” a characteristically bold and mystical collection that finds the piano virtuoso channeling the chaos and wonder of our modern world into her signature sonic tapestry.
Isaiah Rashad breaks his silence with “It’s Been Awful,” a raw and introspective project that confronts his struggles with unflinching honesty while maintaining the Chattanooga rapper’s gift for melody.
Kacey Musgraves explores themes of isolation and self-discovery on “Middle of Nowhere,” an album that promises to showcase yet another evolution in her already boundary-pushing career.
The Irish hip-hop trio Kneecap drop “Fenian,” a politically charged and unapologetically fierce statement that cements their status as one of the most vital voices in contemporary rap.
American Football deliver another self-titled masterpiece with “American Football,” proving that the emo pioneers still know how to craft delicate, emotionally devastating soundscapes two decades into their career.
As always, the entire list of new albums released today, Friday, May. 1, 2026 is below in no particular order. My most anticipated albums are in bold.
Let me know what you’re listening to in the comments below and on social media @highnoteblog.
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New Album Releases – Friday, May 1, 2026
American Football – American Football
Ana Roxanne – Poem 1
Asake – M$ney
Blarf – Film Scores for Films That Don’t Exist
Dodgy – Hello Beautiful
Durand Bernarr – Bernarr
Edward Skeletrix – Body of Work
Emma Louise – Sunshine for Happiness
Ernest – Deep Blue
Evan Fong – speed
Geordie Gordon – River Round
Halsey – The Great Impersonator (Deluxe)
Haste the Day – Dissenter
Hiss Golden Messenger – I’m People
Isaiah Rashad – It’s Been Awful
Jesca Hoop – Long Wave Home
Kacey Musgraves – Middle of Nowhere
Knats – A Great Day In Newcastle
Kneecap – Fenian
Laibach – Musick
Lair of the Minotaur – I Hail I
Lila Downs – Cambias mi Mundo
Lip Critic – Theft World
Maya Hawke – Maitreya Corso
Melanie C – Sweat
Oteil Burbridge and Lamar Williams Jr. – The Offering
People I’ve Met – Bunny
Rita Wilson – Sound of a Woman
Seefeel – Sol.Hz
Sevendust – One
shteppi – are you lonely?
Tacoma Radar – No One Waved Goodbye
Tauren Wells – Breathe on It
The Black Keys – Peaches!
The Boo Radleys – In Spite of Everything
The Claypool Lennon Delirium – The Great Parrot-Ox and the Golden Egg of Empathy
The Dead Daisies – Live Plus Five
Thurston Moore and Bonner Kramer – They Came Like Swallows – Seven Requiems for the Children of Gaza
Toadies – The Charmer
Tori Amos – In Times of Dragons
Trials – Hendle
Venom – Into Oblivion
Weird Nightmare – Hoopla
XngHan&Xoul – Glow
Youbet – Youbet
Young the Giant – Victory Garden
