20 top Milwaukee albums and songs for May 2024, from SistaStrings, Myaap and more

The Journal Sentinel's local music review roundup has never been this long, with 20 new albums, EPs and songs making our list of recommendations for May.

But there's so much terrific new music that narrowing the review roundup down to 20 entries was tough.

These are our favorite new releases, listed in alphabetical order.

'Actin Up,'Myaap and Chicken P

Two of Milwaukee's most prominent hip-hop talents team up for a bouncing lowend track that doesn't try to be a big statement — which, given their charisma, is for the best.

'Destiny's A (Expletive),'Abby Jeanne

Jeanne belts with venom in her growling vocals, an acidic contrast to the deceptively sweet melodies on this otherwise dreamy retro soul rocker.

'Girls Ride Horses,' SistaStrings

The Ross sisters, Chauntee and Monique, supply strings, and most movingly, their soulful voices, for a cover of Judy Rodman's 1987 country hit "Girls Ride Horses Too," part of a tribute album honoring its co-writer Alice Randall, the first Black woman to write a No. 1 country hit.

'God in Everything,' Jorge Vallentine & the Honest Love

Children's voices, the sound of wind and distant, haunted acoustic guitar strokes set the tone for Vallentine's gentle and engrossing epiphany as he embraces true love.

'Goodbyes,' Lunde

Shakespeare was onto something penning “Parting is such sweet sorrow,” and that’s the sentiment behind this vulnerable cry for an unrequited love.

'Imagine Trapping 2,'Carvie P

Carvie P is less prolific than some of his Milwaukee street-rap peers, but he shows on his latest album the wait is always worth it. His flow is dry as firewood that, combined with his confessions and punchlines, burns bright.

'I Think I'm Afraid of You,' Ellee Grim

Illustrating songwriting versatility beyond her pop-punk duties with Honey Creek, Grim casts a sense of dread with this glitchy alt-pop track about an unsettling relationship.

'Meet Me at the End of the World,' Trapper Schoepp

Schoepp covers this Jesse Malin gem with exceptional energy and admiration, to benefit Malin's Sweet Musicians Relief Fund following a spinal stroke that paralyzed Malin from the waist down.

'Me X Twin,' MT Twins

Twin rappers Donno and Dexxx continue to be masters of devastation on this eight-track album, but "Me X Twin" has some happiness, too, like the flirty (and raunchy) "Whoop Up."

'Mr. Smackdown,'Munch Lauren and J.P.

For the follow-up to his biggest hit "Bad Bitty," which Pitchfork's Alphonse Pierre recently proclaimed the "catchiest song anywhere right now," lowend breakout J.P. keeps the fun times going in this pair-up with local hip-hop veteran Munch Lauren, who offers production duties.

'Narcissist,'Gold Steps

Betty Mauritz's lyrical cutdowns are as withering as this pop-punk banger is catchy.

'Of Americana,' Riotnine

The transgender post-hardcore trio's eight-minute swan song shows the fight for a better world, the message of their music, will continue, even though the band won't.

'Split w/ Heavy Lag,' Bad Crime

Following a release simply called "Demo," the garage rockers hold their own on a split album opposite Brooklyn-based Heavy Lag with five blood rushing tracks.

'Sure Thing,'Sure Thing

There's an assured specificity to Casey O'Brien's lyrics on this debut Sure Thing album — a sparse pop project with Sat. Nite Duets' Stephen Strupp — that's on a remarkable level, like the poignant recollections of life before cellphones and her mother picking lilacs in the spring on the beautiful "It Does Help."

'Take Me Home,' Starz Wint

The R&B singer's voice is as sharp as the tension on this tender love song.

'The Bloodwren,' Ceiling Spirits

Technically an EP at just five tracks, "The Bloodwren" in reality is a 45-minute instrumental feast, with post-rock composer Mario Quadracci creating grandeur, suspense and surprise around every corner.

'Winter in the South,' Royal Mill

Inspired by his wife, Matty Timmons sings of warmth and miracles on this sweet indie-rock charmer seasoned with a sprinkle of '80s synths.

'With Me,'Tae23 and EricWithTheGlockInHisSock

The beats are raw and relentless, but what sets "With Me" apart is the dreamy production and tender flows, justifying the three-minute run time — an epic by lowend standards.

'Worker’s Comp,'Klassik

"I don't want no limits on this journey," Klassik proclaims on "RunItUp," the second song on this experimental four-track R&B EP. When it comes to creativity, Klassik, per usual, is true to this vow.

'Yolk,'Scam Likely

It'll take about three seconds for Scam Likely to charm you with crunchy, cymbal-crashing, vocal-soaring "Hips," the first track on a sophomore album that shows the garage rockers broadening out with the (initial) acoustic intimacy of "Nosebleed" and the bass-grounding finale "Socks," the guitar lines fluttering while gentle drum rolls recall the sound of sneakers tumbling in a dryer.

"Must-Hear Milwaukee Music" runs on or around the first of every month in the Journal Sentinel and at jsonline.com. If you have a new album, EP or song coming out, contact Piet Levy at plevy@journalsentinel.com for review consideration. Follow him on X at @pietlevy or Facebook at facebook.com/PietLevyMJS.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: 20 top Milwaukee music releases for May 2024 from SistaStrings, more