The May 2024 New Music Mix Tape can be found on Spotify. Listen in-blog below for a more rich experience, or on Spotify for uninterrupted music. Please note below each song is a link to song lyrics for accessibility. Check out more details on how to best enjoy mix tapes.

---

Good day! This is DJ Ponyboy coming to you from KMTJ-DB, Denver, Colorado – higher than you! Lying flat on my back nearly thirty stories above the ground, more than a mile above sea level and flying high on a combination of alcohol, cannabis, and painkillers – who am I kidding?! They won’t give me pain pills because I’m “too young to have back pain”. Well, the fractured tailbone, bulging discs, and herniated disc in my back would beg to differ!

I hope your Pride month is starting off on the right foot. Make sure to come back throughout June for our Pride Theme Mix Tapes – including next week’s Ollie Ollie In Come Free Mix Tape, inviting folks to come out, come out, wherever you are, right here on KMTJ-DB – Your Mix Tape Journey – Denver, Colorado.

I am so excited to share with you all the best new music from May 2024. Starting off our mix tape is the “godfather of EDM”, Dutch DJ and producer Tiësto, who will be performing at Red Rocks, November 15th.

Here is his new track “My City”.

Up next, we hear from young new artist, Mehro. Featuring a fun lilting melody and unique wordplay, here is his beautifully sad song “Laughing” on KTMJ-DB, Denver.

Eladio Carrion’s Spotify artist bio describes him as a Latin, Grammy-winning, multi-platinum rapper and singer-songwriter who has established himself as one of the most captivating musical acts in Spanish Trap and Reggaeton.

My favourite part of this song is the reference to cero cero siete nueve uno (00791), which is the zip code for Humacao Puerto Rico.

Here is Eladio’s newest track “Heavyweight”.

Damn! I dare you to tell me there is no good new music! I’m DJ Ponyboy and that was “Heavyweight” by Eladio Carrion – he is on tour, but will not be coming to Colorado – most of his dates appear to be in Spain.

Thank you for joining me today for the May 2024 New Music Mix Tape, featuring the very best new music from the month. I am glad you are here. I believe in you and know you have something special to share with the world.

Up next, it’s Emily Nenni, echoing my sentiment, “Hoping that you take all the fat cat’s money. I’m not just rooting for everybody, but I’m rooting for you.”

I’m DJ Ponyboy and I’m “Rootin’ for You” on KMTJ-DB, Denver.

That was new artist Emily Nenni. She will be performing in Denver July 23^rd at The Basement at Oskar Blues and July 24^th at Moon Room at Summit.

Channel Tres is an American Rapper who grew up in southern LA between Compton and Lynwood and interestingly studied music at Oral Roberts University.

Berghain is a famous nightclub in Berlin named after the two neighborhoods it straddles and known for its outlandish and permissive scene. Founded by Norbert Thormann and Michael Teufele in 2004, it has been called the world capital of techno.

Channel Tres and Barney Bones tell us all about it in “Berghain”.

“Everybody’s the same in Berghain.” Channel Tres is touring, but will not be coming to Colorado.

Becky Hill is a British singer and songwriter who first came to prominence on the first season of The Voice UK in 2012, making it all the way to the semi-final stage.

As someone with ADHD, I get vibes about people all the time. Hill’s new song is all about the validation that comes when everyone else comes to the realization that your vibes were spot-on after all.

Becky Hill with “True Colours” on KMTJ-DB – Your Mix Tape Journey – Denver, Colorado.

Becky Hill will be performing at Meow Wolf Denver: Convergence Station on November 13^th.

Blanco Brown is an American country music artist, singer, songwriter, record producer, and rapper who has produced for Fergie and Pitbull.

Raised in Atlanta, Georgia, and with influences as varied as Outkast and Johnny Cash, his work is a unique blend of hip-hop, country, and soul.

While primarily country with an undercurrent of soul, I hear in this track 90’s pop vibes as well – listen closely and see if you can hear what I’m talking about.

Here is “Snapshot” by Blanco Brown.

Megan Thee Stallion is an American rapper, originally from Houston, Texas, who has earned accolades including three Grammy awards, and will be coming to Ball Arena June 17^th.

Here is her latest single, “Boa”.

Sometimes you just want more.

Liily (with two I’s) is a Los Angeles–based rock band formed in 2016 consisting of Dylan Nash, Sam De La Torre, Charlie Anastasis, and Maxx Morando.

Wikipedia describes their music as alternative rock, with elements of post-punk and dance-punk.

Here is Liily with “More” on KMTJ-DB Denver.

Grupo Frontera is an American regional Mexican band from Edinburg, Texas formed in early 2022 before blowing up on TikTok later that year. They are on tour, but will not be coming to Colorado.

Here is Grupo Frontera with their new track Por Qué Será.

Grupo Frontera!

Looking out for each other is so important. I have had friends help me out when I didn’t have it and they only asked me to pay it forward when I could, which I have done, only asking in return to continue to look out for others when they can.

Another new artist to keep an eye on is Devon Cole. Her new song “I Got You” expresses this sentiment so well. “If you need a drink, then I’m buying. If you need a minute to think, I got time. If you need a shoulder, come over, it’s all good, baby cry on mine.”

Devon Cole on KMTJ-DB Denver, Colorado.

Devon Cole reminding us to look out for each other.

Here is Keith Urban and Lainey Wilson on their new collaboration “Go Home With U”.

Keith Urban is on tour, but will not be coming to Denver; however, he is performing a number of shows in October at the new Las Vegas Fontainebleau, which is just a short plane ride, so check that out if you’re a fan.

We are only halfway through the May 2024 New Music Mix Tape and we have already heard so many great songs! And can you believe I couldn’t even fit in all the songs I wanted to include?

There are two groups of new songs that do not get included on each monthly New Music Mix Tape.

New Music Fire Hose playlists include all the new songs I enjoyed but not enough to include them in the mix tape; these playlists can be accessed for as little as $7 per month through our Patreon tiers of Songbird Superfan and above.

Honorable Mentions playlists are all the songs I wanted to include on the monthly New Music Mix Tape, but simply didn’t have space for – I had to make some very difficult decisions and these tunes just didn’t quite make it.

The Honorable Mentions playlist for May 2024 contains 76 songs, with artists ranging from Miranda Lambert to Dua Lipa.

Access to all our Honorable Mentions playlists can be had for as little as $17 per month through our Patreon tiers of Beat Backer and above.

If you haven’t been paying attention to the rap feud between Kendrick Lamar and Drake, look out!

I don’t have the time, energy, or receipts to explain all the drama to you here, but I advise you to look around for yourself – the tea is hot and spicy! I will share some resources on the Mix Tape Journey Facebook page over the next few days.

The feud has gained enough attention that other rappers are even attempting to cash in on it without actually entering the fray. For example, Eminem released a new track called “Not Alike” which, while a dis track, is unrelated to the Lamar/Drake mess; I’m certain the title (“Not Alike”) is structured to get folks to listen to it, playing off the title of our next track, Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us”.

Now, here at Mix Tape Journey we make it a point to not take sides in beef – we’re just here for the music; however, I note that only one artist’s tunes were good enough to make it onto this month’s New Music Mix Tape. 💅

Our next artist can single-handedly craft third-degree burns three levels deep while their “competition” needs three people to write mediocre rhymes. 🤷‍♂️

I am DJ Ponyboy and this is Kendrick Lamar with “Not Like Us” on KMTJ-DB – Your Mix Tape Journey – Denver, Colorado.

With one of my favourite band names ever, Amyl and the Sniffers have been active since 2019. Wikipedia says they are, “an Australian pub rock and punk rock band based in Melbourne, consisting of vocalist Amy Taylor, drummer Bryce Wilson, guitarist Declan Martens, and bassist Gus Romer. At the ARIA Music Awards of 2019, their self-titled debut record won the Best Rock Album category.”

With their raucous confident clapback to those who would seek to control them, here is Amyl and the Sniffers with “U Should Not Be Doing That”.

“U Should Not Be Doing That”, Amyl and the Sniffers.

Carly Pearce is an American country music singer and songwriter whose material includes elements of both traditional and contemporary country-pop music.

Enjoy her catchy new song “Fault Line” on KMTJ-DB, Denver, Colorado.

“Fault Line” by Carly Pearce. That song documents a tumultuous and abusive relationship; if you are in a toxic relationship, please look for help leaving a bad situation – ultimately you are the most important person to look out for – and I am DJ Ponyboy telling you that you are worth so, so much.

Jake Bugg is an English singer-songwriter from Nottingham who lists his influences as Bob Dylan, the Beatles, Jimi Hendrix, and The Brothers Gallagher.

He has a unique voice and sound; I really enjoyed his 2012 track “Lightning Bolt” and am happy to be hearing new music from him.

Here is Jake Bugg with “Zombieland”.

I am falling in love with Coi Leray. An American rapper and singer and the daughter of rapper and media executive Benzino, she has been active since 2018.

In her own words, she is a fine-ass bitch – and I agree. More importantly, her beats, rhymes, and flow are dope.

Partnering with Detroit Michigan’s Skilla Baby, here is Coi Leray with “Coke Bottle Body”, on KMTJ-DB – Your Mix Tape Journey – Denver, Colorado.

Coi Leray will be coming to Ball Arena August 17^th.

Our next tune is from the soundtrack to Twisters, the sequel to 1996’s Twister. According to Rolling Stone, “Featured artists include Thomas Rhett, Jelly Roll, Shania Twain, and Kane Brown, but it’s the artists from the red-hot Red Dirt genre that make the Twisters soundtrack such an anticipated album: Wyatt Flores, Dylan Gossett, Flatland Cavalry, and Charley Crockett are all on the LP.”

With “Aint No Love in Oklahoma”, here is Luke Combs.

Luke Combs just performed last night and the night before at State Farm Stadium in Glendale – May 31^st and June 1^st.

Niecy Nash is an American actress and television host who I recognize from Reno 911 and the Style Network show Clean House, for which she won a Daytime Emmy Award.

Meghan Trainor is an American singer-songwriter best known for her 2014 number one single “All About That Bass”.

Built around a Niecy Nash quote, here is Trainor’s new track “I Wanna Thank Me” on KMTJ-DB, Denver.

Meghan Trainor is on tour, will be coming to Red Rocks October 8^th.

Debbii Dawson is another new artist to keep your eyes on. A Minnesotan singer who first gained visibility in 2022 when she appeared on America’s Got Talent, her song “Happy World” was included on last month’s April 2024 New Music Mix Tape.

Dawson is on tour, and will be coming to Mission Ballroom September 28^th.

Here is her plaintive new song, “Turn the TV On”.

Cassandra Lewis grew up in Germany, Florida, Texas, and Idaho, releasing her first album earlier this year. Her Spotify profile describes her music as “a fever dream between Marty Robbins and Joni Mitchell”, but from this song I get pop and R&B, with a strong vintage vibe.

Here is Cassandra Lewis with “So Bad” on KMTJ-DB – Your Mix Tape Journey – Denver, Colorado.

“Why you gotta treat me so bad?”

Cassandra Lewis is on tour but will not be coming through Colorado.

Winning the award for most unusual new song, our next artist, Hardy, has been described as “Nashville’s nu-metal king”; his music is a fascinating blend of country and nu-metal. Hardy is on tour and will be playing four shows at Red Rocks on October 20^th and 21^st.

Check out this very fun, very unique tune about a redneck named Jim Bob. Containing elements of country, various rap genres, and nu-metal, it is an interesting offering to be sure.

Here is Hardy with “Jim Bob”.

Up next, a great new rock song that would have fit perfectly on my Angry Eyes Mix Tape; I’ll have to save it for an Angry Eyes sequel. 😉

Formed in 2003 by guitarist Tom Denney and drummer Bobby Scruggs, A Day to Remember is an American rock band from Ocala, Florida known for their amalgamation of metalcore and pop-punk. The band currently consists of Jeremy McKinnon, Neil Westfall, Alex Shelnutt and Kevin Skaff.

Here is their new track “Feedback”.

A Day to Remember. “When I want your feedback, I’ll let you know.”

Well, I’m letting you know right now.

I’m DJ Ponyboy and I would love to hear from you! How are you enjoying Mix Tape Journey? What do you like? What do you think could be better? Comment on the blog post, the Mix Tape Journey Facebook page, or join our email list and reply to one of my emails. I look forward to hearing from you!

Elio is a Welsch-Canadian singer, songwriter, and producer whose influences include Taylor Swift and Charli XCX, who is Elio’s mentor and part of her management team. I love the writing on this song. The singer is speaking to her ex’s new partner but the title of the song is “I Got the Boy”. Can you guess the twist in the chorus?

Elio on KMTJ-DB, Denver, Colorado.

Elio with “I Got the Boy”. They are touring, but unfortunately will not be coming through Colorado.

Jon Foreman is the lead singer, guitarist, primary songwriter, and co-founder of Switchfoot. His new solo track takes its title from a Shel Silverstein poem; Silverstein was also a prolific songwriter writing songs for Johnny Cash, himself, movie soundtracks, and the band Dr. Hook.

Giving Phish vibes, here is Jon Foreman with “Where the Sidewalk Ends”, a song about being somewhere you’ve never been before.

I am DJ Ponyboy. Thank you so much for joining me on today’s New Music Mix Tape. I have enjoyed the ride and I hope you have also.

Because I’m feeling spicy today, I’m including a bonus track!

Jax is an American singer-songwriter from the fourteenth season of American Idol. Raised in Atlantic Beach, New York, her father is a firefighter who was injured on duty during the September 11 attacks, and her mother, is a New York City school teacher.

A fun catchy silly fantasy song about the zombie apocalypse, it features a bunch of clever lines; one of my favourites is, “So bring on the earthquakes, bring on the flies. I ain’t afraid of nothin’ because darlin’, we’ll be just fine with my apoca-lips on yours and your apoca-lips on mine.”

With the same title as one of our earlier tunes, and featuring one of the artists from another earlier tune, here is Jax and Hardy with “Zombieland” on KMTJ-DB, Denver, Colorado.

Thank you for joining me for this New Music Mix Tape.

Until next time, I’m DJ Ponyboy. Stay gold.