August, 2020 Music Releases
A curated month-by-month archive of new and underground music releases across shoegaze, emo, punk, hardcore, indie, and adjacent scenes.
The Month
Only Sibling
Get Well Soon
Only Sibling's debut album, "Get Well Soon," releases on August 14th via Other People Records. The band combines '90s alternative influences with modern sensibilities, evident in their first single, "And I Hate It." For fans of Gleemer, Superheaven, Posies, and Doughboys.
The Brother Kite
Make It Real
The Brother Kite, hailing from Providence, RI, are set to drop their 5th LP "Make It Real" on August 14, 2020, blending melodic alternative with shoegaze pop elements. Recorded at The Overpass, this release on Light Fighter Records draws comparisons to bands like Ride and Slowdive. Check out a live quarantine session of the LP's closing track "Dream To Me" for a taste.
Tired Radio
Patterns
Tired Radio from Brooklyn, NY is set to release their debut LP "Patterns" via Engineer Records on August 14, 2020. Their album blends melodic elements with punk rock energy, delivering anthems that reflect blue collar Americana themes.
Be Well
The Weight And The Cost
Be Well's debut album, The Weight and The Cost, will be released on August 21st via Equal Vision Records and End Hits Records. Fronted by Brian McTernan and featuring members from bands like Darkest Hour and Bane, the album offers an honest exploration of struggles with depression and fatherhood, showcasing a raw and emotional sound reminiscent of their previous work.
Benchmarks
Summer, Slowly
Benchmarks, a Nashville rock band, is set to release their new album "Summer, Slowly" featuring singles "Our Finest Hour" and "Technicolor" on August 21, 2020. Led by primary singer songwriter Todd Farrell Jr, their sound has drawn comparisons to artists like Lucero, Restorations, and Frank Turner.
Bright Eyes
Down In The Weeds, Where The World Once Was
Bright Eyes is set to release their latest album 'Down in the Weeds, Where the World Once Was' on August 21st via Dead Oceans. The album features the captivating single "Mariana Trench" with an exquisite animated video by Art Camp.
Entropy
Liminal
Germany's Entropy will be dropping their debut LP "Liminal" on August 21, 2020, blending shoegaze pop, 90s indie/emo, and post-hardcore rock. Drawing inspiration from bands like HÜSKER DÜ, HELMET, and TORCHE, their sound is a fusion of past influences rooted in the present. Listen to their singles "The Enemy Doesn't Sleep" and "Northern Line" for a taste of what's to come.
The Front Bottoms
In Sickness & In Flames
The Front Bottoms are set to release their seventh album, In Sickness & In Flames, on August 21st. Produced by Mike Sapone, the 12-track album features singles like "camouflage", "everyone blooms", and "montgomery forever". Fans of their indie-rock sound will appreciate this latest offering.
The Milwaukees
The Calling
The Milwaukees, Jersey City indie rock veterans, are set to release their 6th album "THE CALLING" on August 21st, 2020 via 400 Mint Records. Their latest single "No Way Out," produced by Tom Beaujour, exudes rock 'n' roll energy akin to The Hold Steady and The Gaslight Anthem with a nostalgic touch of Tom Petty and The Replacements. With over 20 years in the music scene and praised for their emotive expression and solid musicianship, The Milwaukees have garnered acclaim from outlets like Time Out New York and AllMusic. Fans can anticipate a treasure trove of anthemic singles and honest songwriting in their upcoming album release.
Bloody Your Hands
Sunday Scaries
Bloody Your Hands from New York, NY are set to release their second album, "Sunday Scaries," on August 28th, 2020. The album explores themes of anxiety, isolation, hope, and struggle with adulthood, echoing the sound of alternative bands like Archers of Loaf and Superchunk.
Narrow Head
12th House Rock
Narrow Head, from Houston, TX, is set to release their album "12th House Rock" on August 28th, 2020 via Run For Cover Records. The LP features 13 tracks of alternative and hard rock blending massive riffs with emotionally raw songwriting, drawing inspiration from bands like My Bloody Valentine, Helmet, and Deftones.
Shades Apart
Eternal Echo
Shades Apart, the beloved 90s indie/emo/power-pop band from New Jersey, is set to release their first album in nearly two decades, "Eternal Echo," on August 28, 2020 through Hellminded Records. This upcoming album features ten high-energy power-pop and rock tracks reminiscent of their classic works such as Seeing Things and Eyewitness, expertly mixed and mastered by Jason Livermore of The Blasting Room fame.
Suburban Living
How To Be Human
Philadelphia-based dream pop band Suburban Living are set to release their new album, "How to Be Human," on May 22, 2020 via Egghunt Records. Their sound is described as '80s-inspired with influences reminiscent of The Cure and new wave bands. The album features singles like "Main Street," a story-centric track, "Glow" with a Gothic vibe, and "Dirt" exploring toxic relationships.