May was one of the most intense months for new music that we've seen quite literally in years. Usually, No Depression clocks between 40-50 releases that fall under the wide umbrella of roots music. May 2026, however, saw 70! We did our best to cover as many stellar releases as possible here at nodepression.org, and you'll find a selection from each in the playlist below.
In particular, May saw the return of a number of heavy-hitters in roots music. No Depression launched its Criticism Fellowship at the beginning of the month to coincide with with country-pop star Kacey Musgraves' seventh LP, Middle of Nowhere. Blues living legend Taj Mahal has now released more than 60 albums in more than 80 years and sat down with No Depression to chat about his latest, Time. And in an unexpected twist, banjo virtuoso Béla Fleck teamed up with one of the most impressive sopranos in American operatic history, Renée Fleming for a mesmerizing debut of duets.
Of course, No Depression is also committed to highlighting the best of what's next in roots music. Check out Spotlight artist Emily Nenni, Brooklyn jazz and blues artist Dida Pelled, and New Mexico-based cross-cultural roots band Lone Piñon.
All these artists and more are included in the Spotify playlist below (we're also on Deezer while continuing to explore other streaming options). Become a member to the new No Depression to read about these musicians and discover others.
