With May in full swing, we've got five albums that will be perfect for spring strolls through the park and impromptu road trips. This week brings new records from country hitmaker Keith Urban and the return of California retro rock outfit Rooney. White Lung is back with their fourth LP while Seratones and Used Cassettes are dropping the album debuts today. Ready? Let's go!

Keith Urban - 'Ripcord'

After releasing seven albums that solidified him as one of country music's big stars, Keith Urban wanted to do things a bit differently for his eighth record, Ripcord. While keeping true to the ideals of good songwriting, honest storytelling and tight melodies, he dove headfirst into the idea that country music doesn't have to stay in its purest form. Instead, you can add, subtract and blend to make something new.

While we've seen this happen with newer artists like Kacey Musgraves and Sturgill Simpson or crossover queens like Carrie Underwood and Taylor Swift, Keith took a risk to create a collection of songs that fall more into the pop realm than any. Let's start at the beginning with "Gone Tomorrow (Here Today)." While it starts with some familiar finger-picking banjo, the tune takes a more pop rock twist as it progresses towards the chorus. And by the time we hit verse two and the synths come in, we're on a rollercoaster ride that Keith has built for us throughout the record.

The adventures you're taking on this record are interesting from his decision to team up with Pitbull on "Sun Don't Let Me Down" or the hip-swaying "The Fighter," which he did with Carrie. Of course, there are those tearjerking ballads like "Habit of You" and "This Could Still Be Us;" however, the record is full of upbeat tunes that can cross so many musical styles that we've lost count. Aside from wanting to try something new, we can't help but feel like his time on American Idol as a judge could have opened his ears to new sounds that clearly have trickled into his own sound. And we kinda love it.

Seratones - 'Get Gone'

What happens when you put hard rock and bluesy vocals together? The Seratones. The Sherveport, LA band is an explosion of harmonious sounds on their debut album, Get Gone. Led by frontwoman AJ Haynes, each of the members bring a different sound and musical experience to the group to craft some kind of organized sonic chaos that might seem intimidating but will hook listeners once they plug in. AJ and Connor Davis' gritty guitars on the title track as well as "Trees" mixed with the drumming styles of Jesse Gabriel make for an scintillating sonic experience. AJ channels her jazzy R&B vibe on the album closer, "Keep Me," and embodies Janis Joplin on the banger "Headtrip."

Seratones' Get Gone gives us a sense of who this band is and where they want to take us. And it's in the confidence you hear oozing out of their music that makes them one of the must here bands of 2016.

Rooney - 'Washed Away'

It's been six years since Rooney released Eureaka, and fans thought that would be the end of the California rock outfit. And to an extent, it seemed like a reality with each of the members pursuing their own projects. However, in February frontman Robert Schwartzman revealed that he's been working on new material. And a few months later, Washed Away is here for our listening pleasure.

For OG fans of Rooney, the beachy rock and roll foundations as well as seamless vocal harmonies are present in songs like "Come On Baby," "You're All I Ever Need" and "Love Me Like There's No Tomorrow." But then we also hear some electronic elements on the album opener, "All the Beautiful People," which are reminiscent of Robert's other musical project, Solobob. Either way, we're glad to have Rooney back again.

White Lung - 'Paradise'

When White Lung released their 2014 album, Deep Fantasy, the Vancouver band really cemented themselves as a punk force to be reckoned with outside of their home base. And now with their new record, Paradise, it seems that they carefully chose the moments when they would wild out and when to keep things quiet. And its in those decisions and their restraint that show White Lung's growth as a band.

Their single, "Below," is the clear-cut example of this. Focused more on Mish Way's vocals and the beating bassline and rolling guitars. While it's not necessarily a power ballad, it does show a different emotional side of the band. You also get this sense in "Hunger" and the title track, "Paradise." While we won't get the full impact of the album as well through headphones as we would live, it'll only make us ready for the moment they hit the stage.

Used Cassettes - 'Rock & Rills'

When people think of the South Korean music scene, boy bands and girl groups who do extensive dance choreography, sing to ridiculously catchy hooks and make sure their entire wardrobe is coordinated come to mind. However, Used Cassettes are ready to flip the script on that idea with their collection of wavy rock songs. The band is composed of musicians from the United States, Canada and South Africa, and while they might rock a good two-step for you, they'll rip some mean guitar riffs and extended solos on tracks like "At Barcelona" and "Amy," which catapult you to the golden age of rock when fans actually appreciated that kind of thing.

While there seems to be a dark undertone to some of the songs on Rock and Rills, "She Got Burned," "Pat Walsh is Here" and the album's title track, which serves as the LP's closer, are a high-energy sound fest and will have you bouncing off the walls in no time. Although we're not certain if Used Cassettes will have the same commercial success as PSY or 2NE1, that probably doesn't matter too much to them as long as you'll let them rock your face off.