Release Wave

Chicago-based rock group Juicin, a new project comprising Ryan Davis and Tyler Gargula (Sleepwalk, Muted Color), is releasing their debut EP "Zig Zag" on February 28, 2025. The project, born in 2022 as a side project of their shoegaze and dream-pop leaning bands Sleepwalk and Muted Color, came from ideas they were jamming in their practice space that didn't quite fit with their current bands. The new sound explores 90s inspired fuzzed out noise pop, alt-rock, and melodic hardcore influences, with buzzing guitars and catchy hooks akin to Hotline TNT, Superheaven, Ovlov, Bugg and Title Fight. Their latest single "Sick Joke" is now available on all digital streaming platforms.

Nova Scotia dreamy noise-pop rockers Kestrels will be releasing their fifth album, "Better Wonder," on February 14, 2025, offering a collection of dreamy noise-pop and shoegaze tracks with a nighttime, anxiety-riddled theme. Produced by John Angello, the album explores a mix of sonic choices and emotional depths, drawing inspiration from bands like Dinosaur Jr and My Bloody Valentine. With tracks like previously released singles "Lilys" and "Sleepless" and "Free Forever" listeners can expect a mix of distorted and hazy guitars, reflective lyrics, big melodies, and emotional dreamy landscapes reminiscent of bands like Hotline TNT, Dinosaur Jr, Alvvays, Turnover, and Ride.

Philadelphia-based shoegaze band Cigarettes for Breakfast is set to release their second album, "Slow Motion," on February 21, 2025, showcasing a blend of melodic shoegaze and dream pop with influences from bands like My Bloody Valentine and Slowdive. Produced, recorded, and mixed by frontman Matthew Paul Whiteford, the LP features 11 tracks that capture the essence of lush soundscapes and emotion through big walls of guitars and melodic hooks, appealing to both shoegaze purists and new fans of the genre. Recommended for fans of My Bloody Valentine, Ride, Slow Crush, Narrow Head, and Pains of Being Pure at Heart.

Cloakroom will release their new album "Last Leg of the Human Race" on February 28, 2025, via Closed Casket Activities exploring themes of modern society and human experience while showcasing Cloakroom's genre-bending capabilities and seemingly array of influences. Pop, shoegaze, doom, post-punk, folk, indie rock only scratch the surface on Cloakroom’s shortest yet most essential release to date, spanning 37 minutes in length over 10 new tracks.

RIYL: Greet Death, Nothing, DIIV, Ovlov

fish narc, a versatile artist from Olympia, WA, has announced the upcoming release of his album "frog song" on February 14th through K Records. The album showcases guitar-driven indie rock with '90s alternative influences and heartfelt lyrics, reminiscent of the Pacific Northwest indie rock tradition. Tracks like "my ceiling," "old band," and "cluefinder" feature distorted guitars and shoegaze textures, while songs like "boxy volvo" and "interstate" offer a more intimate, stripped-back sound. To mark the announcement fish narc has shared frog song's tremendous opening track, "my ceiling." It's a blast of fuzzed-out guitars, shoegazey textures, and widescreen melodies that would have fit in perfectly on an episode of 120 Minutes.

Connecticut punk favorites Anxious are releasing their sophomore album "Bambi" via Run For Cover Records on February 21st, showcasing a blend of hardcore grit, alternative rock, and classic emo dynamism. The album features lead single "Counting Sheep" now available on DSPs that nods to influences like Jimmy Eat World and The Smashing Pumpkins while remaining uniquely Anxious. Produced by Brett Romnes, "Bambi" is described as a meticulously arranged, emotionally charged record that takes big swings, delving into themes of leaving adolescence behind and the challenges of being in a rising band. The result is a massive leap forward and an endlessly anthemic rock record.

Oversize, a UK alt-shoegaze band, will release their debut LP "Vital Signs" on February 28, 2025 via SharpTone Records. The album features 10 tracks full of reverb drenched heavily distorted guitars, quiet to loud dynamics, and soaring melodies, drawing inspiration from bands like Hum, My Vitriol, Deftones and Nothing. Combining the best elements of 90s inspired shoegaze, grunge, alt-rock/metal, and dream pop similar to bands like Trauma Ray, Narrow Head, Superheaven, Fake Eyes and Heavenward, the new LP is sure to please fans of the aforementioned bands and should add this to their highly anticipated 2025 releases.