From heartbreak anthems to self-love narratives and girl power dance numbers, there’s a little bit of everything in offer for us this May. Here are 10 picks of artists whose previous, newest and upcoming releases make them ones to watch out for this month.
HAYS
Emerging country star HAYS delivers a heart-on-your-sleeve country rocker with “Calling It Now,” via River House Artists. Reflecting on the aftermath of a breakup, the track captures an all-to-relatable experience of old feelings bubbling up even as we deny them.
Produced by Lukas Scott and co-written with HAYS, Rob Pennington (Luke Combs, Mason Ramsey) and Jake Rose (Keith Urban, Florida Georgia Line), HAYS weaves the confusion and vulnerability of having old emotional wounds reopened with a light touch of tenderness and catharsis rooted in his signature country rock style.
Having earned social media success with an acoustic video taken on his bathroom floor, HAYS has only risen to further heights with each new release as he continues to make a name for himself in the country music scene.
Lauren Spencer Smith
Breakout talent Lauren Spencer Smith reflects upon anger and power in fierce new offering “IF KARMA DOESN’T GET YOU (I WILL).” Honing in a sound that’s edgier than typical sonic signature, the track offers an enticing peek into her forthcoming sophomore album, THE ART OF BEING A MESS, set for release June 27 on Island Records/Republic Records.
Taking us on an emotional rollercoaster built on raw and honest emotions, the album is set to be a perfectly imperfect encapsulation of human existence, tracing the highs and lows of life with unapologetic confidence.
Having begun her musical journey in 2019 with her heartfelt explorations of breakups, complex feelings about school, family and friends, Lauren Spencer Smith is a definite act to keep on your radar as she continues to go from strength to strength.
Avery Lynch
Pennsylvania-hailing emerging pop act Avery Lynch unveils her most vulnerable self on “Dead to Me” a soft-spoken yet emotionally charged production that unfolds a tale of grappling with the loss of someone who was once close to us. Drawn from the vestiges of a personal relationship that no longer holds space in her life, the track is a striking glimpse of her upcoming project, due out in September 2025.
Opening with wistful pianos, the track comes to life with her tender but impactful vocals and heart wrenching lyrics as she reflects on the surreal feeling of change and learning to embrace it. Intimate yet able to strike a chord with anyone who has experienced the ache of growing apart, the confessional anthem leaves us feeling quietly comforted even amidst heartbreak.
With a luscious but soft sound that evokes a sense of melancholia, Avery Lynch’s thoughtful and deeply evocative style makes every song feel as much a personal confession as a resonant tale.
Gabriella Rose
Idaho-native country riser Gabriella Rose shares sassy and groovy number “Necklace,” as she weaves an empowering tale of moving on from an ex. Taken from her three-song EP, Watch My Necklace Swing, the track follows the success of her viral hit “Doublewide,” keeping her creative momentum up in full gear.
Uplifting and laden with confidence, the intriguing track comes to life with howling vocals that seamlessly glide over as catchy blues-tinged melody to make for a stunning and powerful musical moment.
Written by Rose alongside Emily Weisband and Mike Elizondo, the track with its mix of bright yet simple beats, bluesy acoustic guitar and steady tambourine is a number that places Rose at her most playful and confident as she transforms heartbreak to self-love and celebration.
Zach John King
Zach John King gears up for the release of his upcoming new EP, Slow Down, on May 23 via Sony Music Nashville, alongside new track “I Deserve A Heartbreak
Produced by Ryan Wilson, the six-track collection weaves through the various stages of heartbreak moving through denial, regret, acceptance and everything in between all wrapped up in the honest story-led musicality that King has shaped as his signature.
Set to be an encapsulation of King as an artist and a person, the EP settled into a vulnerable yet empowering tone as it unfurls his stories piece by piece inviting us to find snippets of ourselves within the fleeting notes.
The announcement of the new album follows the success of the EP’s title track, “Slow Down,” which racked up five million global streams. With his deeply personal release on the horizon, King will also be hitting the road as an opener for Nate Smith’s “Through The Smoke Tour” and will continue touring with Vincent Mason on his “Hell Is A Dance Floor Tour” as well – setting out a busy path that leaves us with plenty to look forward to.
Jayson Arendt
From baseball superstar to country music charmer, multifaceted talent, Jayson Arendt has channeled the dedication and passion of his athletic prowess into his musicality as well.
Led by soulful vocals, heartfelt songwriting and the striking ability to connect with anyone who tunes to his music, Arendt is steadily building a fanbase in the country music scene.
With a style that blends the stories of his athletic past with the heartfelt narratives of everyday life, Arendt’s rich sonic tapestry is an expansive and evolving one as he prepares to release his debut EP on May 23.
Hayden Coffman
Tennessee-hailing country music standout Hayden Coffman showcases his blend of evocative storytelling and soulful sonic style on long-awaited new album, Love And A Heartbreak. Exploring themes of love, loss, and everything in between, the project has been carefully crafted to build a deep connection with anyone listening.
An emotional journey that spans the complexities of Southern life, the album is stocked with fan favourites such as “Don’t Come With A Label,” “Only Smoke When I Drink,” and “New Bar,” to showcase Coffman’s musical versatility and authenticity across each warm note. Pairing raw and relatable lyrics with rich, melodic country tunes, Coffman’s journey through the highs and lows of romance, heartbreak, and the inevitable growth that follows is one that captivates us from beginning to end.
Known for his soulful voice and charming yet high-energy stage presence, Hayden Coffman is on the cusp of a fresh new chapter that’s sure to excite new fans and old.
Kylie Cantrall
Kylie Cantrall continues to capture us with her signature 2000s R&B sound with the release of catchy number “Denim,” yet another glimpse from Kylie Cantrall’s upcoming second EP, B.O.Y.
Built on a nostalgic and celebratory Y2K aesthetic, the 10-track EP explores her relationships and sexuality with confidence and sass. “Denim,” with its summery vibe is a brilliant encapsulation of the empowering core of the EP, coming to life as a girl power anthem, bringing us all together to groove on the dancefloor and have our moment in the spotlight.
The track is accompanied by an iconic music video with familiar faces including Malachi Barton, Jadah Marie, McKenna Grace, GiaNina Paolantonio – delivering us everything a girl wants from awe-inspiring fashion to catchy choreo.
Payton Smith
Louisiana native singer-songwriter and self-taught guitarist Payton Smith draws us into his world with a rich mix of raw talent, high-energy guitars and smooth vocals.
With his new track “Nobody Else” Smith captures the yearning that comes with moving on from a break up, laden with the straight from the heart authenticity that he has made a core part of his artistry.
From amassing over 50 million streams on his debut single, “Like I Knew You Would” to quickly carving out a space for himself with his debut album What Colors Your Wild, Smith has made 2025 his year with several standout releases in “She Shouldn’t Have” and “Girl Goin’ Through It.” as he continues to soar to new heights.
Ashley Anne
Captivating country talent Ashley Anne explores the pain and realization of unconditional love without reciprocation on ‘lead a horse to water.”
A potent number swirling with themes of love, self-respect, and the wisdom of emotional investment, the track leaves us with a much-needed reminder that we don’t have to lose ourselves in loving others.
With deeply resonant vocals and a natural yet alluring storytelling ability Anne, draws inspiration from her own life experiences to craft relatable tales steeped in emotion and connection as she leaves each of feeling seen and heard through her music.
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