Commoner

Phoenix, Arizona emo/alternative band Commoner have announced their debut full-length, Former Self, arriving November 13 via Pure Noise Records. Produced by longtime collaborator Zach Tuch, the 10-track album looks back on childhood, memory and earlier versions of ourselves while also examining how the people around us change over time.

Alongside the announcement, Commoner have shared two new singles, “Cemetery Dogs” and “Sirens A Block Away.” The former is the album’s focus single, pairing tumultuous rhythms and emotional vulnerability with the helplessness of watching someone you once knew struggle and change beyond your ability to reach them. “Sirens A Block Away” takes a more unsettled, atmospheric turn, giving the pair a strong sense of contrast while pointing toward the broader sound of the record.

The band describe Former Self as a reflection on both where they have been and who they are now. Earlier single “Breach” served as a bridge between those two points, while the new album pushes their emotionally charged emo and alternative rock further into atmospheric, post-hardcore territory. Opening track “Cobalt Blue” also features Split Chain.

Listen below, and find the full tracklist, artwork and more information on the Former Self release page.

Phoenix, Arizona emo/alternative band Commoner have released “Passerby,” the latest single from their forthcoming debut album Former Self, arriving November 13 via Pure Noise Records.

An urgent, emotionally charged track, “Passerby” draws on the band's melodic post-hardcore, emo and alternative rock sound, with driving guitars and vocalist Romin Mattison's impassioned delivery. The song addresses unresolved feelings and words left unsaid to someone no longer in the singer's life.

“Passerby has always had a more literal meaning for the band. For me, the song is a way to send a personal message to someone I’ll never speak to again—a chance to express everything I once held back,” says Mattison.

Produced by longtime collaborator Zach Tuch, the ten-track Former Self explores growing older, changing relationships and the complicated emotions tied to memories of who we once were. The album also features previously released singles “Cemetery Dogs” and “Sirens A Block Away,” along with a guest appearance from Split Chain on opening track “Cobalt Blue.”

Commoner will also hit the road in November supporting ASkySoBlack and 0 Miles Per Hour on a run of U.S. dates.

Watch the “Passerby” video and stream the single below, and find more details on the Former Self album page.

New Music Friday is here. We’ve got dreamy slowcore and shoegaze, fuzzed-out punk, emo, and a few records that get pretty heavy. Give the singles below a spin and click into each release for more info and where to hear the whole thing.

• Crate — Crate. Dreamy slowcore and shoegaze from Brooklyn, with guitars that can go from a murmur to a wall of fuzz. Start with “Over Before The Start” or “Not My Song (Mine to Keep).”

• Sleepwalk — View From The Outside. Chicago grungegaze with big hooks and a post-hardcore kick. If you’re into Hum, Nothing or Narrow Head, give “Shell” a spin.

• Commoner — Former Self. The Phoenix band’s Pure Noise debut hits that sweet spot between emo melody and early 2000s post-hardcore weight. Start with “Passerby.”

• Yummm — Sillyputty. Matty Bedrosian’s home-recorded indie rock goes from hushed bedroom pop to crunchy guitars. If you’re into Alex G, try “Plug.”

• Wavves — Cherry Soda. Early-2000s emo meets Nathan Williams’ fuzzed-out California pop-punk. Give “We Get Around” a spin.

• Cherry Pikes — So It Goes…. Loose, loud indie rock from Sweden, out on Sunday Drive Records. If you’re into Ovlov, Pixies, Yuck, start with “724” (feat. Akimbo).

• Anberlin — CURRENCY. Out since Wednesday, Nov. 11, this is Anberlin’s first full-length with Matty Mullins on lead vocals. Start with “NEVERAFTER.”

• Always You — Against The World. The Hochheim brothers bring heavier guitars and drum-and-bass rhythms into their dream pop, with Wild Nothing’s Jack Tatum producing. Try the title track.

• Hillsboro — this is me if i was you. Three songs from the Vancouver band, with emo, lo-fi folk and electronics all in the mix. Start with “the sky reminds me of you now, pt2” (ft. mieke?).

• breakkaway — It all feels the same from afar. A seven-song Epitaph debut that goes from moody alt-pop to alt-metal. Check out “I know” with Softcult.

And don’t forget about the Birds tee giveaway. Tell us your no-skips album of 2026 on Instagram for a chance to win a free tee.

For the full list of upcoming releases we know about, check out the release calendar. It includes releases beyond our Release Wave recommendations.