Best Acoustic Songs - May 2026
May was a month of discoveries. While a few familiar names returned with excellent new releases, what stood out most to me was the number of new artists I came across for the very first time. Some of them have already earned a place in my playlists, while others are names I suspect we'll be hearing much more from in the years to come.
Here are the 11 acoustic songs that stood out the most to me this month.
Houses – Maisie Peters
Even if it isn't a 100% acoustic song, Houses is definitely the most acoustic track on Maisie Peters' latest album Florescence, a record that features plenty of acoustic guitar throughout. (I also highly recommend the duet with Marcus Mumford.) Through vivid imagery and remarkably detailed storytelling, Houses explores the alternative lives we might have lived had we made different choices. Each former lover is imagined in a different home, living a different future, while Maisie reflects on the paths she chose not to take. Ordinary domestic scenes ane turned into a meditation on love, regret, and the endless "what ifs" that accompany growing older.
A Horse Named Friday – Theo Kandel
At the moment, Theo Kandel is probably my favorite discovery of the year. An underrated artist with a surprising amount of acoustic material and plenty of fingerstyle guitar to enjoy. A Horse Named Friday perfectly captures his charm: a lighthearted folk song filled with movement, rivers, campsites, and open roads. Beneath its simplicity lies a beautiful reflection on change, growth, and choosing to enjoy the journey rather than obsessing over the destination.
In My Own World (Acoustic) – Sven Ross
I'm glad Sven Ross listened to the good advice and continues releasing acoustic versions of his songs, especially when they feature guitar and strings. In My Own World is an honest and often humorous look at overthinking, daydreaming, and living more inside your head than in the present moment. The lyrics perfectly capture that tendency to get lost in imaginary conversations and alternate realities while something as mundane as grocery shopping continues around you.
Momma Said – Melanie Ryan
I had been waiting for an acoustic song from Melanie Ryan for quite some time. Another independent Dutch country/Americana artist I've followed for years, she finally delivers with a heartfelt tribute to mothers everywhere. Written with Kirsten Michel and inspired by her own mother, Momma Saidcelebrates the strength, love, and sacrifices that often go unnoticed.
Roses – The Franklin Electric
The cherry on top of an EP that contains little else but hits. Chapeau. Roses closes Something More on a reflective note, exploring change, growth, and the difficulty of letting go of things we cannot control. The repeated references to seasons, fading lights, and forgotten opportunities reinforce the idea that life is constantly moving forward, whether we're ready for it or not. Jon once again proves why The Franklin Electric remain one of the strongest acts in today's indie folk scene.
Bonita – Jack Botts
There must be a reason why Jack Botts constantly appears in my feel-good acoustic playlists. Bonita is further proof. Built around sunshine, sangria, spontaneous romance, and effortless chemistry, the song feels like a postcard from a perfect holiday. What makes it work so well is how naturally it captures that exciting moment when two people weren't looking for love but somehow find it anyway.
orange song – Ariyel
Another artist I discovered this year. The arrangement couldn't be more stripped back: just guitar, vocals, and a few subtle bass notes toward the end. The lyrics use fruit imagery in a surprisingly effective way, exploring the feeling of never quite being enough for someone who is always searching for "something else, something more."
Little Guy – Tay Oskee
Released as a bonus track from his latest album, Little Guy is dedicated to Tay Oskee's son. The song carries the same warmth and honesty that characterize much of his work, reflecting on parenthood, family, and the way children can completely reshape our priorities.
Aiming High (Acoustic) – Quinty
Quinty is yet another artist I discovered this year. Armed with nothing more than guitar and voice, she delivers a song about stepping away from a safe and predictable life in order to embrace uncertainty. The lyrics contrast carefully planned futures with the unexpected people and experiences that completely change our direction. It's ultimately a song about taking risks and choosing possibility over comfort.
All In – Northwest Stories
One of the best builds of the month. Acoustic guitar, mandolin, banjo, and cello are introduced one by one, with the cello ultimately stealing the show. Lyrically, the song revolves around commitment and choice. Knowing everything we know now, would we make the same decisions again? Northwest Stories answer that question with conviction: they're all in.
The Sun Will Never Settle – Kingfishr
Kingfishr hardly need an introduction at this point. The Sun Will Never Settle is a beautiful example of what they do best: combining Irish folk influences with timeless themes of love, loss, and resilience. The lyrics acknowledge heartbreak and regret, yet the central message remains unwavering. The world may change, years may pass, but some forms of love leave a mark that time cannot erase.
May may have introduced me to several new artists, but it also reminded me why I keep coming back to acoustic music in the first place. Whether it's a fingerpicked folk song, a stripped-back duet, or a full band arrangement built around acoustic instruments, these songs prove that great songwriting never needs much to leave a lasting impression.
As always, if there are acoustic gems I missed this month, feel free to let me know. There's a good chance they'll end up in one of my playlists. Speaking of which, you can find all the above mentioned songs spread across the All of Acoustic 2026 playlist!!