NYT Mini Crossword: Hints and Clues May 20 Puzzle

Today’s New York Times Mini Crossword pays homage to music with Chappell Roan, a top-chart artist, heavily involved in the theme. Today’s Mini Crossword starts with “Pink PONY Club,” referring to Chappell Roan’s popular breakout song. In the top of the published puzzle, “PONY” is the main answer, with its squares marked in yellow.

The compact 5×5 grid continues with several playful clues designed to challenge and entertain daily solvers:

• 5-Across reveals “KAZOO” as the makeshift instrument often crafted from household items
• 6-Across asks how bedtime stories are typically read, with “ALOUD” as the answer
• 7-Across describes someone feeling “TENSE” or on edge
• 8-Across identifies “REEL” as the term for short Instagram videos

The down clues complete the puzzle with answers including:

• PALER (less colorful)
• OZONE (atmospheric layer)
• NOUSE (totally pointless)
• YODEL (hitting high notes in Alpine regions)
• KAT (as in Kit ___ candy bar)

Mini Crossword puzzles from earlier dates are saved for subscribers in the archive section of The New York Times Games, while today’s puzzle is free for anyone to try.