
Hedge
Hailing from Worcester, MA, Hedge brings a gritty and raw approach to pop-punk, drawing inspiration from legendary bands like Hüsker Dü, Superchunk, and The Lemonheads. Their debut album, *Better Days*, released in 2024, showcased their knack for crafting speedy power-pop tunes with loud guitars and catchy vocal hooks, earning widespread acclaim, while their new EP Freeze Frame High will release in 2026.

Sugar
Sugar was an influential American alternative rock trio (1992-1996, reunited 2025) fronted by Bob Mould (ex-Hüsker Dü) with bassist David Barbe and drummer Malcolm Travis, known for their melodic, cathartic power-pop sound on acclaimed albums like Copper Blue (1992) and File Under: Easy Listening (1994), featuring hits such as "If I Can't Change Your Mind" and "Helpless". After almost 30 years, the band made a triumphant return in 2025 with their acclaimed single 'House of Dead Memories'. Sugar has now returned with a new single titled "Long Live Love" as part of a 7" vinyl release of both singles se for release on May 1st via BMG. Influenced by Mould's blend of DJ influences, melodic guitar rock, and pop songwriting, the new single is a nostalgic yet innovative fusion of grinding guitar riffs and lush synth textures with big melodies and hooks that Sugar is known for. With the upcoming release of 'Long Live Love' and their 'Love You Even Still' 2026 World Tour, Sugar's reunion after three decades has sparked immense excitement among fans, reaffirming their status as trailblazers of the alternative rock genre.

A Wilhelm Scream
A Wilhelm Scream (AWS) is a highly technical melodic hardcore band from New Bedford, Massachusetts, known for their intricate guitar work and energetic punk rock, evolving from earlier bands like Smackin' Isaiah in the late '90s and officially forming as AWS around 2004, gaining a reputation for relentless touring and precision music, with core members Nuno Pereira (vocals), Trevor Reilly (guitar/vocals), and Nick Angelini (drums). Their name references the famous "Wilhelm scream" stock sound effect, fitting their frenetic sound, and they've released albums like Ruiner, Career Suicide, and Lose Your Delusion, continuing to release music and tour with powerful, technical punk rock. The band will release a new album in February of 2026 titled "Cheap Heat."

Feverchild
Feverchild is a Belgian emo/post-hardcore band from Ghent, formed around 2020, known for blending '90s emo aesthetics with heavy guitars, dynamic shifts, and catchy melodies, drawing members from hardcore scenes (Minded Fury, Force, Animal Club) and featuring production from Gilles Demolder (Oathbreaker). After the release of their EPs in 2021 and 2023, Feverchild are gearing up to release their new full-length album, 'Center of the Earth', on March 20, 2026, via Sunday Drive Records. Feverchild draws comparisons to bands like Texas Is The Reason and Sense Field, promising a compelling addition to the Sunday Drive discography.

Red Arrow Highway
Red Arrow Highway, hailing from West Michigan, is an alt-rock band gearing up to unveil their sophomore album, *Be Someone Better*, on March 20th, 2026, under the banner of North Carolina's indie label, Self Aware Records. Drawing inspiration from rock legends like Bruce Springsteen and Tom Petty, as well as modern torchbearers such as The Menzingers, The Gaslight Anthem, Spanish Love Songs and Bright Eyes, their sound marries classic rock aesthetics with contemporary indie punk passion with big alt-rock hooks. Through their lead single 'Not the End,' the band delves into societal critique with infectious melodies and fervent instrumentation, encapsulating the essence of their upcoming record.

Ringing
Ringing, the Brooklyn-based band led by Colton Walker, is set to release their debut album, 'another cycle in the cosmic wash,' on March 20, 2026. Their music, showcased in the new single 'incandescent,' delves into raw self-realization with a blend of sludgy guitars and introspective lyricism. Initially a solo project in 2020, Ringing has evolved into a powerhouse trio in the New York City scene, drawing influence from shoegaze antiquity while maintaining a brutalist edge reminiscent of artists like Bleary Eyed and Shower Curtain.

Fire In The Radio
Fire in the Radio is a Philadelphia-based indie rock/punk band known for their catchy high energy sound blending 90s indie rock, emo and melodic pop-punk influences, drawing inspiration from Jawbreaker, Bob Mould, Superchunk, Samiam and the like. Formed in the 2010s, key members include Rich Carbone (vocals/guitar), Jon Miller (vocals/guitar), Ed Olsen (bass), and Adam Caldwell (drums). They gained attention for albums like Telemetry (2015) and Monuments (2020) on Wednesday Records, praised for their catchy songwriting and dynamic rock style. They are gearing up to reissue their debut LP Red Static Action (2000) and are working on new material for 2026.

Deeper Graves
DEEPER GRAVES, led by Jeff Wilson, crafts atmospheric post-punk that languishes in shadows and introspection, marking a departure from his heavier projects. From the quiet emergence of debut album "Open Roads" to the immersive depths of "The Colossal Sleep," the project's upcoming third release, "Pull Me Toward The Dark," delves even further into moody textures and emotional nuances. Embodying a modern reinterpretation of post-punk and gothic rock, DEEPER GRAVES beckons fans of Beastmilk, Killing Joke, and Joy Division to embark on a sonic journey of solitude and reflection.

The S.E.T.
Hailing from Baltimore, Maryland, The S.E.T. is a hardcore band on a mission to deliver unapologetic music that speaks truth to power. The band has just announced their debut EP Self Evident Truth set for release on March 6, 2026 via Flatspot Records. Featuring members with backgrounds in renowned acts like Turnstile and End It, their debut EP "Self Evident Truth" channels influences from local legends Gut Instinct and draws parallels to iconic crossover bands such as Leeway and Judge. With their intense soundscapes and socially conscious lyrics, The S.E.T. is poised to ignite a movement within the hardcore scene. New single T.M.T." now streaming everywhere.

Shoreline
Starting out on the floors of squats and basements, SHORELINE have played pretty much every venue in Europe that has provided them with a power outlet over the past ten years. Since then, they have played shows with scene legends such as FOUR YEAR STRONG, KNUCKLE PUCK, and SILVERSTEIN. This February, they will be touring the UK with ARM’S LENGTH – and just recently, they played a sold-out, acclaimed hometown show at Sputnikhalle in Münster with 600 tickets sold, their biggest headlining concert to date. SHORELINE was formed in 2015 out of a desire to be an active part of the scene back home in Münster. First demo songs on YouTube and plenty of DIY diligence soon got the band on the road. With their third album, To Figure Out, SHORELINE gained attention beyond Europe’s borders when they became the first German band to release an album on the US label Pure Noise Records. The band is gearing up to release their latest LP 'Is This The Low Point Or The Moment After?' on March 13, 2026, through Pure Noise Records.

Honor Choir
Honor Choir, an up and coming Oklahoma City emo/post-hardcore band will release their new EP "Modes of Transport" on February 13, 2026 via Sunday Drive Records. Drawing influence from Blink-182 with a twist of early-2000s emo and post-hardcore sounds, as well as 80s new-wave bands like New Order, their tracks like "Satellite Receiver" and "Envelope" showcase a cohesive blend of their diverse influences, each featuring catchy choruses.

Place Position
Dayton-based math rock/post-hardcore power trio Place Position is gearing up to unveil their highly anticipated album Went Silent on January 23. Formed by members of Landfilth, Shadyside, and The 1984 Draft, the band's music is a fusion of intricate rhythm patterns and raw emotion. Drawing inspiration from the likes of Faraquet, Unwound, and Fugazi, Place Position's DIY ethos shines through as they collaborate with various indie labels to bring their music to life.

Deathcrash
London slowcore band deathcrash, known for their distinctive blurry, slow-motion sound, is set to release their highly anticipated album Somersaults on February 27th via untitled (recs). With influences from the likes of the Jesus and Mary Chain, their music conveys fragility and intensity, as heard in their critically acclaimed previous albums Return and Less.

The Academy Is...

Held.
Held., the dynamic trio composed of Douglas Robinson and Sal Mignano from The Sleeping, alongside Josh Eppard of Coheed And Cambria, burst onto the scene with their debut album GREY on May 15 through MNRK Heavy. Their music is a blend of alternative rock and post-hardcore, with a fresh and fully realized sound that positions them as sonic tornado chasers, tearing through urgent and volatile musical landscapes.
Notable influences on Held. include bands like My Chemical Romance and Coheed And Cambria, evident in their powerful anthem 'NEW YOU ANTHEM' featuring Frank Iero. Hailing from the musical hub of Woodstock, the trio's serendipitous collaboration and creative energy were captured at the inspiring Animal Farm studio in Flemington, N.J., under the guidance of producer Jon Markson.

Chief State
Canadian pop-punk outfit Chief State is gearing up to release their highly anticipated new album, "Keep Your Friends Closer," on April 17 via Mutant League Records. With a blend of high-energy pop-punk and introspective lyricism, the band's sound, produced by Tim Creviston and mastered by Stu McKillop, strikes a balance between grit and vulnerability. Emerging from a period of lineup changes, Chief State's resilience shines through as they deliver emotionally charged anthems that resonate with urgency and honesty.

Snail Mail
Snail Mail, the brainchild of Lindsey Jordan, unveils her highly anticipated third album, Ricochet, set for release on March 27 via Matador Records. With a sound that balances introspection and shimmering melodies, Jordan solidifies her status as a generational songwriter on the upcoming record. Drawing from influences such as ’90s alternative rock icons like Smashing Pumpkins and Radiohead, her music encapsulates a nostalgic yet fresh perspective, showcasing a deeper exploration of themes like time, mortality, and personal growth.

Endearments
Based in Brooklyn, Endearments are set to make their mark with the upcoming release of their debut album 'An Always Open Door' on March 6, 2026, via Trash Casual. Their emotionally dense and lush synth-backed indie rock, produced by Abe Seiferth of Nation of Language and Car Seat Headrest fame, draws on influences from 80s synthpop and late-90s emo. With a sound that navigates the realms of energetic indie rock whilst preserving raw lyrical storytelling, Endearments captivate listeners with their introspective and poignant musical craftsmanship.

Cashier
Hailing from Lafayette, LA, Cashier emerges with a robust rock sound that resonates with powerful riffs and compelling vocals, showcased in their debut EP "The Weight" set for release on March 13, 2026 under Julia’s War Recordings. With influences from bands like Dinosaur Jr., Whirr, and Nothing, Cashier crafts a distinctive blend of heavy, melodic hooks that captivate audiences and navigate themes of uncertainty and human connection. Having already toured extensively across the U.S. and sharing stages with notable acts, Cashier's forthcoming project promises a profound exploration of the burdens we all carry in life.

Awful Din
Brooklyn-based emo punks Awful Din, formed in 2014, have become fixtures in the New York DIY scene with their crunchy, emo-inspired melodic punk sound. Influenced by bands like Saves The Day and Texas Is The Reason, guitarists Kat and Aaron showcase their chemistry honed since childhood. Their upcoming ANTI BODY LP, set for release on January 28 via We’re Trying Records, promises bittersweet and introspective themes, continuing their evolution from their debut LP Only Constantly in 2022.