New Music Friday: 11 New Releases for the last weekend of May (29 May 2026)

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Metal Hammer’s tracks of the week: July 24 2026

Is it the end of May already? Given the lousy spring weather across most of Canada, maybe that’s a good thing. Let’s usher it out with another New Music Friday.

Singles

1. A Perfect Circle, Starless (Virgin)

While we wait (and wait and wait) for the next Tool album, Maynard James Keenan has a couple of other projects to occupy himself. This time, we have new material (surprise!) from A Perfect Circle ahead of a European tour.

2. Bedouin Soundclash ft. Collie Buddz, Bang-A-Lang (Dine Alone Records)

Most everything that comes from Bedouin Soundclash sounds like summer, and this new single–the first new track since 2022, not counting Jay Malinowski’s solo material–fits with that nicely. There will be shows as part of the FIFA Fan Festival in Toronto and Vancouver plus watch for festival gigs in Kingston and Victoria. There’s more to come, too.

3. Big Wreck, Around (Sonic Unyon/UMC)

Here’s the latest single from last fall’s The Rest of the Story. There’s a groove, but it’s a bit softer than what we’ve heard from other singles like Believer and Dog with a Gun. Apparently, the song started as Rolling Stones-like banger, but it worked better in the studio slightly more toned down.

4. Greta Van Fleet, Play Your Games (Universal)

After frightening some fans with a tease that they might be breaking up, the real story was “Never mind.” Instead, we got the first single from the band in three years. What’s next? We’re not sure beyond a one-night-only performance in NYC.

5. Mike D, What We Got (Capitol)

Two weeks after a surprise release of his first solo single comes another Mike D track which feels a lot like some of the strange stuff Beastie Boys fans got on Ill Communication. Once again, we have something that comes from sessions that included contributions from Mike’s sons Davis and Skyler. Watch for more pop-up performances in weird places.

Albums

1. The Alarm, Transformation (Twenty First Century Recording Company/Virgin Music Group)

Mike Peters battled cancer for a couple of decades before dying last April at the age of 66. In between treatments for a type of leukemia called Richter’s Syndrome, he was able to record one last album with The Alarm. As you can tell by the title of this single, the man stayed positive and fought to the end. Good advice, this.

2. Dogstar, Doublespeak (London)

If I could come back as anyone, I might choose Keanu Reeves. Not only is he a super-bankable Hollywood star, he’s also from all accounts a wonderfully humble and compassionate guy. He’s also a pretty solid bass player in his band, Dogstar. This is the band’s fourth album.

3. Violet Grohl, Be Sweet to Me (Auroura Records/Republic)

Violet, daughter of Dave, has her sights set on being a rock star, too. After dropping a few singles, her debut album is now out. Sounds like she spent a lot of time growing up listen to dad’s punk records while also paying attention to the importance of melody and arrangement.

4. Guided by Voices, Crawlspace of the Pantheon (GBV Inc)

How many GBV albums is this? Forty-three since 1987? How does Robert Pollard do it? He’s been known to release two or three albums a year, so there’s still time for more in 2026. Note the name of this single. It kinda says it all, doesn’t it?

5. Paul McCartney, The Boys of Dungeon Lane (MPL/Capitol)

Macca is 83 and refuses to quit. It must be his vegan diet and the daily yoga. The Boys of Dungeon Lane is a look back at his Liverpool youth and features songs he started laying down in 2021. Speaking of outlasting them all, huh? And isn’t it great to see a duet with Ringo on this single?

6. Shinedown, EI8HT (Atlantic)

As you can probably tell from the title, this is the Jacksonville band’s eight album. And it’s a long one: 18 songs clocking it at over 64 minutes. Fans already have a good idea of what to expect thanks to six advance singles.

7. Kurt Vile, Philadelphia’s Been Good to Me (Verve Forecast)

This is his he tenth album and first in four years. Like McCartney, his new record is a love letter to his hometown. The whole thing is wonderfully woozy and hazy, perfect for a hot summer’s day.