It may only be the second week of May, but we’re already leaning hard into the summer vibes—and it seems like all of our favorite music artists are, too.
This week gave us an instantly iconic surprise collab between Khalid and Lauv, Stephen Sanchez‘s eagerly awaiting sophomore album, Kim Petras diving into a totally unexpected genre and so much more. If you’re ready to start listening, just keep scrolling to discover the 10 biggest things that happened in music the week of May 8, 2026.
(Photo credit: Jimmy Lee Smith)
1. Moody Joody Get Curious About the Wider World in ‘Little Blue House’
Fresh off a U.S. tour with The Maine and more, pop trio Moody Joody is back and ready to bring us into their world with the new single “Little Blue House.” With a fuzzy and nostalgic pop-rock sound, it brings us back to childhood curiosity, knowing nothing about the greater world beyond our own little bubbles, and yearning to discover more of about others’ inner lives and what the world has to offer. It’s also set to appear on the band’s next album, set to release later this year.
“This song came from some reflection on my teenage years and remembering my intense curiosity,” the group’s Kaitie Forbes shared in a press release. “I grew up in a town where everyone’s lives looked very similar and it was such a bubble that when I realized there was more out there I became so intrigued. This song comes from yearning and intense curiosity on how other people are living their lives and doing things their own way. The little blue house for me represents that life I dreamed of: indie music, exploration, rebellion, self confidence and true self expression.”
Also read about: Moody Joody Talk Their Cheeky and Carefree New Single ‘OOPS!’ and Tease Their Upcoming Album
2. Ian Cobiella Turns Obsession Into Sound With ‘Have I Been Good To You’
24-year-old L.A. artist Ian Cobiella is one to watch, especially with his debut EP, All I Have I Give, on the way. The rising artist is a classically trained pianist who fuses his indie-pop sound with aspects of his Cuban-Bolivian heritage to create something fresh and bursting with energy, and that’s clear on the EP’s first single, “Have I Been Good To You.” With its driving bass and drum beat, the song never stops moving, capturing the frenzy of new love.
“I wanted to make a song that moves because I want people to dance,” Ian shared in a press release. “The drum groove is built on a salsa clave, a pattern from Cuban music with this constant, almost obsessive forward momentum—which felt right with the lyrics. The song is sexy and manic, and I loved getting there in the writing and recording. This song is meant to feel like a tornado.”
3. Tim Atlas Reflects on the Journey So Far With the Reverso EP
Grammy-winning singer-songwriter and producer Tim Atlas is no stranger to changes and reversals, driving the narrative of his new EP, Reverso. The project was written after Tim returned to his hometown of Los Angeles after four years away, inspired by his own evolution as a man and artist reflected against a place that has mostly stayed the same. Its six tracks, combining indie-pop, R&B and soul sounds, are propelled by groovy instrumentation and his silky falsetto as his view of himself has shifted, accepting and embracing the inevitability of change, rather than resisting.
4. Telescreens Tease Their Upcoming Album With ‘Otherside of Town’
Buzzy New York City rock band Telescreens are gearing up to release their new album, Why The Lights Flicker, on June 1, and their vibrant, captivating sound has us positively hooked. They just released their latest single, “Otherside of Town,” pulling us into the story of a chaotic relationship as it unfurls with an uncertain fate.
“This tune really means the world to us,” the band wrote in a post on Instagram.
It was one take at @tothebridgenyc 2 years ago almost to the exact day. @alexpoeppel running helm and all of us in the room firing, crying, screaming, smiling. This song was all done in one take, no overdubs, everything you hear was in the room on the day. As intended :)”
5. elkan Craves Human Connection in ‘Robotic Love’
If you’re not already a fan of Grammy-winning artist and producer elkan, it’s time to change that. He just released his new single, the moody yet energetic dance track “Robotic Love,” and we can’t get it out of our heads. The infectious song combines yearning vocals with bold rhythms and video gamey synths as she sings about seeking our something authentic and sharing real love in an increasingly automated and robotic world.
6. Isabel Van Gelder Finds a New Kind of Peace in ‘I Don’t Want to Fall in Love Again’
Singer-songwriter Isabel Van Gelder is an artist known for vulnerable and deeply relatable tracks that strike a chord with audiences, and hew newest single, “I Don’t Want To Fall In Love Again,” feels poised to be yet another major hit. The warm pop track is a unique and introspective take on heartbreak. Instead of getting caught up on the pain, it feels like a celebration as she finds the comfort of being on her own for the first time and heals from the trials of the past.
“‘I Don’t Want to Fall in Love Again’ was born out of a past relationship that ended badly—heartbreak, disappointment and a genuine desire to just be done with romance for a while, but the meaning has shifted since I wrote it.” Isabel shared with Sweety High. “I’ve always been a hopeless romantic, I fall in love fast, I feel deeply, and I’ve written more love—and heartbreak—songs than I can count. Right now I’m single for the first time in years, and for the first time in years, I genuinely have no desire to be in something romantic. Not out of fear this time, but because I’m genuinely at
peace with where I am.”
7. Billlie Are Ready to Move Forward in the collective soul and unconscious: chapter two
K-pop girl group Billlie have been enchanting fans since their debut, with an emphasis on expressing the true identities within that others tend to keep hidden. This week, they released their debut album, collective soul and unconscious: chapter two, further exploring their creative depths while working to shed the past and step into the future. It consists of 12 bold and energetic tracks that further showcase Billlie’s capabilities as an ensemble.
“Through this album, we wanted to talk about how we are not being tied to the past anymore,” billlie’s MOON SUA shared in an interview with Sweety High. “Instead, we are focusing on right now. Despite outside noises and any other challenges, we have gained confidence to stay grounded and exist as who we are right now. We also wanted to send this message across: ‘all answers have been within us all this time.'”
Also read about: Billlie Returns to Discuss Chapter Two of the collective soul and unconscious Series
8. Kim Petras Takes an Unexpected Tour in New Single, ‘Jeep’
Grammy-winning pop superstar Kim Petras is no stranger to defying expectations and turning heads, but the last thing we were expecting from her this week were the crooning country vibes of her new single, “Jeep.” The track stands out among the other songs we’ve heard from her upcoming third album, Detour, but we can’t complain, as Kim effortless combines emotional acoustic guitars with atmospheric synths and warbly hyperpop vocals to craft a powerfully relatable story about loving someone who won’t ever be able to fully appreciate or understand you in return.
Also read about: These Amazing Kim Petras Lyrics Also Double as Great Instagram Captions
9. Stephen Sanchez Explores Love in All Its Forms With Sophomore Album, Love, Love, Love
Retro-pop sensation Stephen Sanchez is back, and with his sophomore album, Love, Love, Love, he expands on his infectious throwback sound to tell a new story. As the title suggests, its 11 tracks serve as an ode to love and the many forms it takes, not just among partners but with friends, family and anyone else we might meet along the way, with touches of soul, disco and more to bring us into his unique sonic world.
“This album is inspired by a period of my life where love was all that I wanted to be and all that I failed to be,” Stephen explained in a press release. “In spite of any successful or failed attempts, it taught me just how much of a difference it makes in the world around me to try and choose love as much as I can.”
10. Khalid and Lauv Tackle Affection and Uncertainty With ‘Tied Up’
A collaboration between Khalid and Lauv was the team-up we never knew we needed in our lives, and their new song, “Tied Up,” reminds us precisely why they’re both industry powerhouses. The track has the two artists reflecting on romance, with devotion and uncertainty pulling them in different directions. It’s the first collaboration between the two artists ahead of their time sharing the stage on Khalid’s It’s Always Summer Somewhere Tour.
“’Tied Up’ is about the push and pull of love,” Khalid explained in a press release. “Working with Lauv was effortless, and getting to perform it together on our upcoming tour around the world is going to be a whole different experience.”
“Khalid and I have been wanting to make a song together for a long time,” added Lauv. “We finally got in with some homies and had a great time. he’s one of the most talented singers of all time, and such a sick writer and performer. I’m very thankful for this tour!”
Missed our favorite tracks last week? Click HERE to check out our top 10 favorite releases for the week of May 1, 2026.
