Albums of the Month: May

May was a beautiful mess. Normally, I pick just one album a month for a full track-by-track review, but this time, that just wasn’t possible. There were too many incredible releases I couldn’t leave out. In fact, four out of the five albums I’ve chosen are fully acoustic — something that, for a fan like me, feels like striking gold.

So this month, I’m doing things differently. I’ve picked five standout albums released in May and chosen one song from each to highlight. There’s no ranking here — just a celebration of the music that made this month so special.

Nina Nesbitt - Mountain Music (At Home In The Mountains)

Nina Nesbitt’s Mountain Music (At Home In The Mountains) is the acoustic twin of her earlier album Mountain Music, and it dropped on May 16. With 11 tracks (one less than the original — “What Will Make Me Great” is missing), this acoustic version strips things down to their most intimate form. Of the 11 songs, only two lean on piano — “Painkiller” and “Alchemise.” The rest? Guitar, vocals, and heart.

The one I picked is Big Things Small Town. Just voice and guitar, it’s the perfect example of Nina’s gift for finding beauty in the everyday rhythms of small-town life. It’s the kind of song that lets you breathe a little deeper, feel a little closer to home. There’s something magical about how she paints entire communities with a handful of lines and a warm melody.

The Franklin Electric - Victory Songs

Then we have Victory Songs by The Franklin Electric. As a longtime fan of Jon, this was the album I had already locked in as my May pick — until the rest of the month’s releases came flooding in. For lovers of fingerstyle guitar, this album is pure joy. Of its 13 tracks, only four use strummed guitar; the rest are beautifully fingerpicked, letting each note breathe.

Ironically, the track I chose breaks that rule. Most of the Time We Are Lost is one of those four, but I had to go with it. Not just because of the combo of guitar and violin (which I absolutely love), but because of the way Jon and Clay performed it at his first headline show in Amsterdam. They stepped into the middle of the crowd, playing shoulder to shoulder — just vocals, guitar, and violin — wrapped in the arms of the audience. One of the most moving live moments I’ve experienced this year. The song itself speaks of drifting, of not having all the answers, but somehow it feels like a gentle anchor.

Redd & The Paper Flowers - Appalachian Bell Jar

Discovering Appalachian Bell Jar by Redd & The Paper Flowers was one of those moments that makes me grateful to be a playlist curator. Without that, I might have never stumbled across them — and I’m proud to say I’ve helped promote at least six of their songs as singles in the lead-up to the album release. The band is young, but their sound feels rooted and rich. I don’t know of any other group their age playing with this kind of instrumentation: guitar, mandolin, banjo, cello, upright bass, and more. It’s a full acoustic experience, and their 12-track, 48-minute album is the longest of the five I picked this month.

The song I chose is Ijams, a tribute to Ijams Nature Center in Knoxville, Tennessee. The band has spoken about the inspiration they found in that place, and it shows. The song is filled with gentle imagery and earthy tones, grounded in the natural world. The blend of acoustic instruments creates a soundscape that feels as alive as the setting it honors.

Andy Sydow - Night Skin (Acoustic Versions)

Andy Sydow followed a similar idea to Nina’s and decided to release a fully acoustic version of his 2024 album Night Skin. The result? Night Skin (Acoustic Versions)—nine acoustic takes, only one of which is piano-based. The rest live in the world of strings and wood.

And here's a fun backstory: Andy told me himself that this whole project started simply because he wrapped up another studio session early and thought, “Why not?” So he picked up his guitar and hit record. That spontaneous energy shines through, and I’m thankful for it.

I picked Every Little Thing About Love (Acoustic Version). There’s a rawness to it, a kind of honesty that you only get when it’s just you and your instrument. The fingerpicking is so crisp and emotional, it gives you that telltale tingle between your nail and fingertip—the one that says: you need to pick up your guitar and play. It’s that kind of song.

Reed Turchi - World On Fire

Last but not least, World On Fire by Reed Turchi. Easily the most original discovery I’ve made recently. I don’t get many submissions with slide guitar — and certainly not an entire acoustic blues album built around it. That alone makes this a rare and welcome find. With nine tracks, it closes on a haunting instrumental called “Reprise,” but every song brings something raw and soulful.

The track I chose is Lay My Burden Down. It’s the most complete and representative song on the album — groovy bass, catchy melody, and those signature slide guitar licks that feel improvised but precise. There’s a spiritual weight to it, especially in the chorus: “What you gonna do when the world’s on fire?” It’s a heavy question, delivered through wood, steel, and soul.

I’ll admit it — I’m a little sad I couldn’t do my usual full album review. But these five releases each deserved a spotlight, and I hope you give them all a listen. They’ve made this May a month to remember.

Until next time — stay curious, stay acoustic!