May preview: 4 albums you need to hear this month

Each month we look at the most anticipated albums coming out. Scroll down to learn more.

Mac DeMarco, This Old Dog (May 5)
Mac DeMarco is one of the most consistent artists in Canada. Through three full-length albums (and two "mini-LPs"), he's established himself as a gifted songwriter and composer, occupying a space that's somewhere between pop psychedelia and hazy dad rock. He's been (lazily) called slacker rock, but despite the fact that it's the perfect soundtrack for barbecues and long days on a sunny patio, there is nothing slack about his approach to music. On This Old Dog, DeMarco mines his closest relationships, with friends, family and old flings, for what is ultimately the perfect soundtrack to summer. "One More Love Song" might be his most lush, evocative — and just outright prettiest — songs yet. — Jesse Kinos-Goodin

Harry Styles, self-titled (May 12)
Since One Direction's hiatus last year, many of the popular boy band's members have gone on to pursue their own musical projects. From ex-member Zayn Malik's solo debut to Louis Tomlinson's collaboration with Steve Aoki, One Direction's omnipresence continued well beyond the group's existence. One member who has stayed relatively quiet is Harry Styles, but this looks to be the year the pop heartthrob steps into his solo spotlight. Last month, he released "Sign of the Times," an epic first single that makes heavy nods to the sounds of David Bowie and Queen. It was perhaps an unexpected move by Styles, but one that many have seem to embraced in a short period of time. And that's not all from Styles: he will also hit the big screen this summer as a star in Christopher Nolan's upcoming war drama, Dunkirk (out July 21). — Melody Lau

Land of Talk, Life After Youth (May 19)
Life After Youth is the first album in seven years for Elizabeth Powell. Following her 2010 album, Cloak and Cipher, Powell wanted a break. Instead, she ended up on a hiatus as a result of a crashed computer and illness in the family. Ultimately, she resurfaced last year with a small string of shows and promise of new music. Fans have since gotten a few sneak peeks at Powell's upcoming record including the gorgeous slow-burner, "Inner Lover" and the Sharon Van Etten-assisted "Loving." Featuring Powell's spellbinding voice and killer guitar playing, Land of Talk is back in full force and we couldn't be more excited to have her back. — ML

Daniel Romano, Modern Pressure (May 19)
Daniel Romano is one of Canada's most prolific songwriters in recent years. Modern Pressure is his seventh full-length solo album and it comes just a year after his last release, Mosey. Romano's music is a mixed bag of genres, combining country, rock, psychedelia and more into a sound that straddles both the past and present. His latest was recorded in Finnsäs, Sweden and continues to find Romano drawing from a variety of influences, from Bob Dylan to Lee Hazlewood. At his rate, it won't be long till Romano reaches the exemplary heights of those aforementioned names. — ML