Release Wave

Salt Lake City's World's Worst is set to release their sophomore LP "American Muscle" on July 11, 2025, via Smoking Room and Julia's War, showcasing a 90s inspired noisy, post-grunge, indie/slacker rock sound with loud guitars, pounding drums, big melodies and catchy hooks. Similar to bands like Milly, Ovlov, Prize Horse and the like, this album promises to deliver a distorted, grungy slacker pop experience for fans of energetic, fuzzed out 90s alt rock music, while still sounding relevant and current in todays musical landscape. There's a huge surge of bands bringing back guitar music and World's Worst is definitely one to keep an eye on. You can catch standout singles like “Angus” and "Motor Mouth" now and stream the full LP on July 11th.

RIYL: Milly, Prize Horse, Ovlov, Garage Sale, Toner, Trembler

Somerset Thrower is set to release their third LP, "Take Only What You Need to Survive," on July 11, 2025, via Smart Punk Records. They've also released their reflective and anthemic new single "Never Going To Therapy" showcasing their mid 90's and early '00s alternative meets punk sound while drawing influences from bands like Jimmy Eat World, Garden Variety, Jawbreaker and Seaweed, providing a nostalgic yet modern feel. The album, produced by Jon Markson and mixed at Animal Farm Studios, captures the band at their most dynamic, with soaring guitars and unshakable hooks, reflecting Somerset Thrower's ten-year tenure of blending raw energy with melody-soaked textures. RIYL: Seaweed, Samiam, Taking Meds, 84 Tigers, Drug Church

Drought is set to release their debut LP "Souvenir" on July 18, 2025 via Iodine Records. Influenced by bands like Pianos Become the Teeth and Title Fight, their emotionally charged sound has already garnered attention from their 2024 released self titled EP . With guest vocals from Pat Flynn on their debut LP produced by Jack Shirley, Drought's "Souvenir" is a mature offering in the melodic post-hardcore and emo scene, recommended for fans of Touche Amore, Fiddlehead, Praise and Have Heart.

Highspire, a renowned shoegaze/dream pop band from the early 2000s, is making a comeback with their new LP and first in over 15 years titled "Crushed" set for release on July 11, 2025 via Shelflife Records.. The band's sound draws inspiration from classic heavy shoegaze and dream pop styles, staying true to the classic heavy shoegaze and dream pop sounds of the 90s guitar rock that labels like Creation Records were releasing. Containing big melodies, lush soundscapes, buzzing walls of guitars, and monster hooks, "Crushed" will no doubt appeal to fans of OG shoegaze classics like My Bloody Valentine, Swervedriver, and Ride, while also staying fresh with a contemporary touch, similar to bands like Nothing, Whirr, and Glare.

Spoils System, an indie band hailing from Hudson Valley, New York, is set to release their sophomore LP titled The Nope Out on July 11, 2025 via Sweet Cheetah Records. The band's sound combines shoegaze shimmer and power-pop punch, drawing inspiration from artists like Swervedriver, Death Cab for Cutie, Sunny Day Real Estate and hints of Blinker the Star. The album also features a collaboration with Failure's drummer, Kellii Scott, on two tracks, adding a unique layer to their music. A perfect balance of melodic, jangly and loud buzzing guitars with quieter atmospheric soundscapes, and big emotive hooks to go with it.

Chicago punk/emo trio Heavy Seas is set to release their third album "By Degrees" on July 11, 2025 via Creep Records, featuring J. Robbins on bass and production, along Ronnie Dicola (drums) and Jeff Dean (guitar/vocals) both of All Eyes West. The album combines the raw urgency of bands like Jawbreaker, The Casket Lottery and the Get Up Kids with a heavier, emotionally charged sound, reminiscent of the 2nd and 3rd wave emo-core sound of the mid/late 90s. Across 10 new tracks, the new LP explores themes of self-discovery and existential weight, showcasing Heavy Seas as a band pushing their creative boundaries.

RIYL: The Casket Lottery, The Get Up Kids, Jawbreaker, Samiam, Jawbox

UK rockers Split Chain's debut LP "motionblur" will be released on July 11, 2025 through Epitaph Records. The album, described as a coming of age story by the band, presents a visceral, kaleidoscopic wall of sound blending conflicting emotions of adolescence with loud guitars, big melodies, and heavy breakdowns pulling from elements of Grunge, Nu-Metal, Alt Rock, Shoegaze and Hardcore. Drawing comparisons to artists like Deftones, Blanket, Oversize and Soul Blind, Split Chain's music combines intense emotions with complex soundscapes that are showcased throughout 11 brand new tracks on their debut LP.

Nihilistic Easyrider, the solo project of Jacob Duarte, frontman of Narrow Head, is set to release his debut LP "Deluxe Edition" on July 25, 2025 via Run for Cover Records. The album features a mix of songs that span Duarte's career blending Y2K emo, pop punk, fuzzed out 90's alt rock, and pop influences, brought to life by a talented cast of collaborators, including Narrow Head drummer Carson Wilcox, producer (and former tour-mate) Graham Hunt and features from Momma’s Allegra Weingarten and Ella Friedman. Duarte’s introspective songwriting delves into themes of human emotion, with the lead track “Getaway Plan” offering a glimpse into his poignant and melodic storytelling style. Deluxe Edition shares much of Narrow Head’s affinity for examining the tortured substratum of human emotion, while promising a collection of masterfully crafted and hook-drenched renditions of Duarte’s signature songwriting aesthetics.