It’s been a little over a month since our last Take 5, but we are excited to be bringing that back to life this week. For the last few weeks, we’ve been rolling out a special Take Five spinoff, called the Holiday Five, where we bring you five favorite holiday films from artists and other industry personnel. This, of course, serves as a regular return to form for us — and no, holiday songs did not quite make the cut this week. So, without further ado, let’s kick this bad boy off.

Sam Hunt – “Kinfolks”

Alright listen, let’s just get his out of the way now: I know this song has been out for a few months. But, it’s new to me (as of last week), and that’s what really counts here — and if you haven’t heard this song yet, you need to. Sam Hunt hasn’t put out a full-length album since 2014, and he’s been talking about a new one coming since he dropped his 2017 hit single, “Body Like a Back Road.” So naturally, “Kinfolks” is the latest single he’s released that is supposed to serve as the lead-in single to the upcoming album, which is now due out in early-2020. No more details are currently known, but give me an album full of songs like this and I’m all for waiting a little bit longer. “Kinfolks” is everything right about country music in the 21st century.

Hot Mulligan – “Feel Like Crab”

What else can you say about Hot Mulligan? They’re a band that has been on a steady climb to the top of the alternative/pop-punk music scene since releasing their debut record, Pilot, back in 2018 via No Sleep Records, and they don’t show any signs of slowing down. “Feel Like Crab” is fans’ first taste of new music since Pilot, and it doesn’t let fans down — all the while showing musical growth along the way. Driven by a slick guitar and a poppier take on their sound, “Feal Like Crab” deserves a listen.

The Used – “Blow Me”

It’s not right to say The Used is back since they’ve never left, but maybe you can say heavy The Used is back. They last released a new album, The Canyon, just in 2017, but there’s something that feels special about “Blow Me.” The track features, Jason Aalon Butler of Fever 333, who described this as the old school sound of The Used, and it doesn’t take long to show through. It’s a blisteringly fast track, with a huge chorus and deep screams that will keep you coming back again and again.

Princess Goes tot he Butterfly Museum – “Ketamine”

Talk about an all-star cast behind a musical project. This project consists of Michael C. Hall (Dexter, Six Feet Under, Lazarus), Matt Katz-Bohen (Blondie, Cyndi Lauper), and Peter Yanowitz (The Wallflowers, Morningwood), and that alone should peak your interest to push play. It’s a little bit of R&B, a little bit of electronic rock, and mix in some synth — if it sounds crazy, well, it’s not crazy but it’s unique in the best way possible.

The Band CAMINO – “Daphne Blue (Acoustic)”

The Band CAMINO. That’s all. Send tweet. This band is going to be so big, and following a huge sold out nationwide tour, they just got announced to support Dan + Shay on their arena tour in 2020. You’re not gonna want to miss the meteoric rise of The Band CAMINO, trust us.