New Music May 2026

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I have on several occasions shared with you a selection of new music that I have been listening to on YouTube, and as the most recent of those was four months ago it feels like time for another. There is no theme for these: they are simply a set of music videos that have been published in the past few weeks that I have enjoyed, and hope you will too. They are a bit of a mix, but what else would you expect from me?

I’m guessing that a couple of these might be new acts for you, though all bar one have featured here before. This first one needs absolutely no introduction, a stunningly good video from a band that has been around for a few years:

That was, of course, The Rolling Stones with In The Stars, a track from their new album, Foreign Tongues, which is scheduled for release on 10 July. I love the way the video uses doubles to take the place of band members, and it is very cleverly done. The cast list for this stretches to nearly 100, so it was clearly something which took a while to put together. Underlying that is another stonker of a Stones track: even at this late stage in their career they still have it. This is one of two songs which have so far been issued as teasers for the album: the other, Rough And Twisted, is a blues-based stomper to open proceedings. I’m looking forward to it!

And now for something completely different, as Mr Python used to say. I played a song by this duo a few weeks ago and as it was extremely well received I thought I’d share another of theirs with you. It is one from their back catalogue which they are in the process of updating, and is just as lovely as the previous one I played. This is Jack & Daisy:

Apparently, You Belong To Me is a cover of a song by Jo Stafford, but I don’t know the original, and after hearing this I don’t really want to seek it out: this is just too good! The recording is a studio one, unlike many of their more recent videos which have either been overlooking the sea in Spain, where they live, or with the pair of them sitting in the boot of their car. Their harmonies are simply lovely, and hopefully there are more like this on the way.

The next tune is another from an upcoming album, from two of my favourites. Old Crow Medicine Show are fantastic, and this track also features the incredibly talented Molly Tuttle, who has recently become engaged to Ketch Secor, leader of the band, who shares vocals with her on this:

Ketch co-wrote Last American Waltz with another band member, Critter Fuqua (yes, his real name but not pronounced how you are imagining it). As you heard, the waltz is used as an allegory to depict their view of what is happening to their country, in its current decline. It is the most gentle and subtle of protest songs, and isn’t the first time he has made political comments through his music. The song and video are lovely, enhanced by the two (uncredited) dancers, and the album, Union Made, is due out on 5 June. Another to which I am very much looking forward.

This next one is another making a political statement, which is also very relevant in the US right now, with the demonisation of immigrants by the current administration, who seem to be ignorant of the fact that the great majority of their population are descended from immigrants, apart from those who were displaced from their land at the outset. It isn’t a new song, but has been re-recorded for present times:

That was the inimitable Steve Earle with City Of Immigrants, which was originally a track on his twelfth album, Washington Square Serenade, which was released in September 2007. On the record, as in this video, he is accompanied by Forro in the Dark, who are a New York-based collective of Brazilian expatriates that formed in 2002. The group combines the musical style of forró (pronounced “faw-HAW”), “the percussion-heavy, rhythmic dance music” of their native Brazil, with elements of rock, folk, jazz, and country. I find this one incredibly powerful in making its point, and liken it to Jackson Browne’s song The Dreamer, which is also well worth watching.

This next singer might be a new one for you unless you have been following me for some time and have a good memory. I’ve played several of her songs before, and even devoted a whole post to a new album she had just released. This is a new video for a song from her most recent record:

Divorce In A Small Town is a track from Good Omen, the latest release by Caroline Jones, which came out in February, though this video is only a couple of weeks old. I’ve been a fan of Caroline’s music for quite a while now, and love everything she does. She was one of those who kept us going during the pandemic with shows from her home, which were always a mix of great music and extremely scatty behaviour to accompany it. As I said, I’ve played her music quite a bit, and if you want to see more just type her name into the search box. She is accompanied on this by Alyssa Bonagura, another talented singer-songwriter who I have also played before, including a previous collaboration with Caroline. Two for the price of one, really.

I said at the outset that one of today’s videos is by a debutant on my blog, and I’ve saved it till the end as it is a good way to sign off. As you may have noticed, I have a fondness for a good covers band, notably First To Eleven who, by a strange coincidence, have also recently released their cover of this song. This, however, is the Middle Aged Dad Jam Band, with their version of Pat Benatar’s Heartbreaker, on which they are joined by a special guest:

That is very typical of the MADJB, in its relaxed style and approach. As here, they are often accompanied by wives, girlfriends and assorted hangers on, and I love their approach to music: they have fun, which is, for me, essential. And getting Tia Carrere to join in and take lead vocal on this was quite a coup for them – you may recall her role in the two Wayne’s World movies. As someone has written in the YouTube comments on this “I believe I speak on behalf of an entire generation when I say… Schwing!” If you don’t get that reference , you need to see the movies, which are brilliant.

That’s my lot for today.  As I said these were a bit of a mixture but I hope you enjoyed at least some of them. I’ll see you again for Song Lyric Sunday, so until then take care 👍

46 thoughts on “New Music May 2026”

  4. I was never a huge Stones fan, but I did have some of their records. ‘Gimme Shelter’ is one of my favourites. (Though I actually preferred the cover by Merry Clayton, who sang backing vocals on the original) Amazing how they sound exactly the same in their 80s, and late 70s for Ronnie.

    You hit a nerve with the Jo Stafford song. That was released the year I was born, and I grew up listening to Jo’s recording, as well as my dad singing the song in South London pubs. So it’s pretty obvious which version I prefer. I won’t add the clip here, as you didn’t want to seek it out, but it is of its time, and for me, quite wonderful.

    Thanks, Clive. Best wishes, Pete.

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    • The Stones found a formula that worked for them from the start, and just keep doing it! I’ve been a long time fan and this new tune is great.

      I have listened to Jo Stafford – Nancy gave me the link – and I can see why you both like it so much. I looked it up: Apparently it was the second ever song to be a UK #1 single, in the second week of our having a chart, back in November 1952. In those days it was a top twelve!

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  5. As someone who loves most of Pat Benatar’s songs, I’m not surprised I loved this one. Tia Carrere does this song justice in a way that I think Bentar would appreciate. I have to ask you more about the Middle-Aged Dad Jam Band. I’ve never heard of them, but I know that doesn’t mean anything. Do they play a little bit of everything, or do they do predominately rock music?

    The unexpected runner-up for me was the Stones. I’m one of those oddballs who typically don’t like many of their tunes, but this one is a big thumbs up.

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    • I think ‘a bit of everything’ describes the MADJB best. Some rock, a liking for Billy Joel, a Deep Purple cover, and they’ve even done ‘Copacabana.’ They are having fun, and that’s why I like them.

      The Stones are definitely on form with this one, aren’t they 👍

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  6. ‘In The Stars’ sounds very Stoney, I found it was the rising ‘ooh oohs’ in the backing that really added to it, hooked it in for me. That rising chorus is simple but Hellava effective.

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  7. Clive, let me comment on two that I listened to. I will catch the others later. I LOVE “City of Immigrants” by Steve Earle – great tune, great lyrics and great video. I also wanted to watch Tia Carrere and the MADJB. While it is hard to match Pat Benatar, Carrere and the dads, wives, girlfriends, did great. I look forward to the others. Keith

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      • Clive, I listened to two more. Jack and Daisy’s soft duet of “You belong to me” take this beautiful torch song to even greater heights. Their voices are like hand in glove harmony offering a melancholy and reflective vibe.

        I also like Molly and Ketch’s “Last American waltz.” Like Daisy, I love Molly’s unique and lovely voice. Thanks for the introduction to them and the continuing exposure to Jack and Daisy. Keith

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      • Clive, add one more, Caroline Jones singing “Divorce in a small town.” First, the storyline is so compelling – everyone knows about “it.” But, the music and voices add to the message. Great introduction. Thanks, Keith

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      • A lovely song by a very talented singer-songwriter. And Alyssa is pretty good too. They go well together: this isn’t the first time I’ve shared a collaboration by them 👍

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  8. I am amazed what great tracks and the videos were amazing too. The Stones my first real full on crush… They are as great now as when I was 11years old!!! Saving up.my pennies to buy… Come on! They are better now than ever. !
    I love both the protests songs they were so to my liking especially . Especially Steve Earl ….I have to say I also love Jake and Daisy absolutely brilliant they remind of these two .

    The others are new to me but I really enjoyed them and your write up sir a sterling job 💜💜💜

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    • I’m pleased you enjoyed these, Willow. I struck lucky with so many good tunes and videos being released within three weeks of each other.

      The Stones just keep rolling. I already have the album in my Apple Music library, and also the OCMS one. The two protest songs are both excellent, though different in style. Jack & Daisy are terrific and I can see your comparison. That song was in ‘Once,’ a lovely movie, and won a best song Oscar.

      Thank you for your kind words 😊

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  10. Mick Jagger looks significantly younger in the “In The Stars” video, because the band utilized groundbreaking artificial intelligence and deepfake technology. I have not heard of Tia Carrere in years, but she did a great cover here.

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    • Glad you liked the mix, John. The video equivalent of those mixtapes we used to do for friends in cassette days!

      I don’t know that one, I’ll have to seek it out. The only collaboration between them I know of is ‘State of Shock.’ But this one is definitely infectious and fun 👍

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    • Thank you, I’m pleased you enjoyed this. I thought there would be some new ones in there. I like to add the background info, as I think it helps readers.

      Sorry for the delay – just found this in spam!

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  15. This is an exceptional lineup today, Clive! I totally enjoyed all these videos, but for the sake of brevity (which is really not my strong point!) I’m only going to talk about three of them. Heartbreaker was so much fun, and I am astounded by the vocal chops of Tia Carrere; she’s still got it. Schwing!
    The Stones new release is fab, another perfect example of performers who’ve still got it. There was so much going on in that video and it was all very good.
    The last one is you belong to me which has more meaning to me than you can ever know. I grew up, listening to Jo Stafford singing this fabulous song and I would imitate her style. In fact, I sang song for an audition, which went very well. In my opinion, it sets the bar. Stafford sang the original, of course, and another group, the Duprees, had a huge hit with it back in the 60s. I know you can’t force someone to like anything, but I’m including Jo Stafford’s original version and it’s my hope you will give it a listen sometime when you can fully appreciate it for what it is. I think it is superb and I encourage you to just sit down and enjoy it. The ending, with its subtle changes in tempo, is wonderful. Here it is.

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    • I’m really pleased you enjoyed all of these, Nancy. It has been a good month for new videos! I didn’t know Tia Carrere could sing like that – she is amazing. And the band are a lot of fun: I’ve watched many of their videos.

      That Stones video is incredible, isn’t it. The way they blend Mick and the doubles is especially good. A pretty fine song too.

      Thank you for that link. I knew nothing about the song and only a little about Jo Stafford. I’ll give it a listen, as the song means a lot to you.

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      • It was a real pleasure, listening to all this new music and I was very surprised how much I liked every one of these songs. It usually takes time for a new song to settle in, but that was not the case today. As I said before, you can’t force this sort of thing, but I hope you will follow my suggestion and wait a little while before listening, give your mind a chance to be clear of all the other music so you can appreciate the song for the great piece it is.

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      • I was the same with all of them. The first listen was great, and I’ve now played them all several times, and like them more each time.

        I’ve listened to Jo Stafford. I think I need to try it again…

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