On The Record: Felip, PP Krit, Rebecca Armstrong and Everything We Jammed to in May

A, B, C, D and Everything We Jammed to in May

At the end of each month, we go On the Record to share the newest songs on our playlist. Bringing the international music scene straight to your device, each list contains a combination of established and up-and-coming artists from around the world.

In May, international musicians introduced a range of honest and energetic singles to herald the summer season. With bass-heavy production and edgy lyrics, tracks such as Tyla & Future’s “Game Time” and Felip’s hard-hitting rock single, “Sulfur,” leaned into power-anthem territory.

The likes of Sienna Sapiro and newly reunited South Korean girl group I.O.I., on the other hand, opted for retro-infused sounds, while Thai stars Rebbeca Armstrong and PP Krit forewent the classic upbeat release expected during this time of the year for heartfelt ballads and introspective themes.

Find below everything music editor Valentina Reni Doukeris curated for your May playlist.

What’s your favorite May release? Don’t forget to rate your favorite songs and check back at the end of the week to see NMM readers’ favorite song of May 2026.

aespa – “LEMONADE”

South Korean girl group aespa welcomes the summer with a refreshing taste of “LEMONADE.” The quartet takes notes from electronic house bangers in this synth-heavy party anthem. Members Karina, Giselle, Winter and Ning Ning embody the song’s bright, sassy energy with ease, showcasing their talent across singing, idol rap and dance.

Anderson .Paak & NMIXX – “Caution”

Well over a decade into his professional career, Anderson .Paak continues to push boundaries. In his latest venture into the world of K-pop, Paak joined forces with girl group NMIXX for “Caution.” This punchy track is packed with wordplay, attitude and a hypnotic rhythm that gives every artist in this team-up the stage to shine.

Dolly Ave – “Bad Brain”

After three years of effort and patience, Vietnamese American singer Dolly Ave returned to music with “Bad Brain.” In her comeback, the NMM Directory honoree sings candidly about her push to continue creating art. As part of the lead-up for her sophomore record, “Bad Brain” sets Dolly Ave up for an exciting era ahead—one that includes a U.S. tour this summer.

El Muisca, Ramzes Buda, JARLS & RAP-BOHEMIO – “Como Ella No hay”

“Como Ella No hay” is a groovy four-way collaboration that balances smooth guitar with a strong bass line. Leaning into old-school melodic rap, Bogotá-based rappers El Muisca, Ramzes Buda, JARLS and RAP-BOHEMIO take turns serenading the listener with smooth bars and romantic lyrics over a catchy instrumental.

FELIP – “SULFUR”

Felip, member of the Filipino sensation SB19, channels his most daring side in “SULFUR,” his brooding new single. Taking a page from the genre-fusing handbook, Felip delivers a tantalizing combination of pop rock and trap elements. The Filipino singer paints a captivating picture, using elements such as the song’s cinematic instrumental and his compelling deep tenor.

Future & Tyla – “Game Time”

As the world prepares for the FIFA World Cup 2026, artists from around the globe celebrate football and team spirit with a diverse body of work. Among these partnerships is “Game Time” by Future and Tyla, a high-intensity hip-hop track that unfolds over hard-hitting brass and booming percussion. Fans can look forward to this song when the duo hit the stage at Los Angeles Stadium on Friday, 12 June, for the World Cup’s inauguration ceremony.

Grupo Frontera – “Pary”

Grupo Frontera connects with their cumbia norteña roots for their latest EP, Con Dolor – Grupo Frontera. In the title track “Pary,” the band picks up the tempo for an energetic ode to festivities—or, rather, to their love interest’s dedication to party culture. Leaning into the sound that first introduced them to the public, Grupo Frontera reconnects with their original sound in a trendy fashion.

I.O.I – “갑자기 (Suddenly)”

In an unexpected celebration of their 10-year anniversary, South Korean group I.O.I reunited for “갑자기 (Suddenly).” Despite the long hiatus since their last group release, I.O.I demonstrated that their synergy runs deep. Group members Nayoung, Chungha, Se-jeong, Chae-yeon, Sohye, Yeon-jung, Yoo-jung, Doyeon and Somi fall easily back into team dynamics, effortlessly executing soft, synth-pop lines and matching choreography.

Jenevieve & JIHYO – “HVNLY”

US singer-songwriter Jenevieve taps JIHYO for a heavenly R&B stint on “HVNLY.” Straight off Jenevieve’s CRYSALIS (CODA) album, “HVNLY” is a simple, rhythmic demonstration of confidence and vocal prowess. Jenevieve’s nostalgia-infused timbre blends seamlessly with Jihyo’s deeper tone, creating a dreamy first-time collaboration.

Labrinth – “The Living”

Ever-talented producer Labrinth dropped Cosmic Opera Act II to wrap up May. Title track “The Living” is a vulnerable reflection on exploitative relationships overlain on a guitar-forward instrumental. Labrinth demonstrates his widely-lauded ability to layer complex sounds and tell a story in a complementary manner.

LE SSERAFIM – “BOOMPALA”

LE SSERAFIM is known for pushing musical boundaries with their experimental releases. In “BOOMPALA,” off their PUREFLOW pt.1 studio album, the quintet samples Los del Río’s iconic hit “Macarena” in both the song’s instrumental and choreography. Fittingly, “BOOMPALA” is a celebratory earworm that encourages listeners to be bold and let go.

PP Krit – “เก่งไม่พอ GOOD (not) ENOUGH”

PP Krit bares it all on “เก่งไม่พอ GOOD (not) ENOUGH,” a moving, emotional ballad that details the difficult struggle of suppressing heartfelt, lingering emotions in the aftermath of a difficult breakup. With PP Krit’s soothing falsetto serving as the perfect vessel for the song’s melancholic tone, the music video portrays Thai rising icon Lingling Kwong as she navigates different stages of grief.

Rebecca Armstrong – “Skin”

Ushering in a new chapter in her career, Thai-British star Rebecca Armstrong released her single “Skin” on May 1. Setting the stage for her forthcoming debut EP, the song is an emotional pop ballad that explores the complexities of moving on and processing feelings after a breakup. Armstrong, who has previously released music related to her acting projects, steps into this new era with unprecedented honesty, trading mellow tunes for raw emotion.

Sienna Spiro – “Material Lover”

Over the past two years, Sienna Spiro has established herself as a notable force—and powerful vocalist—in the industry. The Devil Wears Prada 2 turned to the rising English singer-songwriter for “Material Lover,” shared just ahead of the film’s May 2 release. Spiro’s soulful vocals tell a story of self-confidence, connection and indulgence in, as the title suggests, life’s material offerings.

Towa Bird – “Dog”

Minimalist and sultry, “Dog” is the latest release by Towa Bird. The soft rock instrumental intentionally places Bird’s vocals at the forefront. As the Filipino British singer-songwriter shares in a press statement, “It’s a song about sex where the sentiment is essentially, ‘Go ahead and use me,’ and I loved the idea of making it sound completely bare and naked.”

Young Miko & Rauw Alejandro – “Aquel diciembre”

Young Miko and Rauw Alejandro make their case for song of the summer with their first-ever collaboration, “Aquel diciembre.” In this fun reggaeton track, the Puerto Rican duo recount a memorable December encounter, jumping between rapping and singing on the verses with undeniable chemistry.