March, 2025 Music Releases
A curated month-by-month archive of new and underground music releases across shoegaze, emo, punk, hardcore, indie, and adjacent scenes.
The Wave
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Downward
Downward (LP2)
On March 5, 2025, the Oklahoma-based alternative rock band Downward released a surprise LP titled Downward (LP2), now available on all streaming platforms and for purchase through New Morality Zine. The album showcases the band's evolution beyond traditional genres, blending airy melancholy with a modern rock sound, and features standout tracks like "Perfect Food" exploring complex relationships. With influences of emo, post-hardcore, shoegaze and alternative rock, Downward's LP2 boasts a total of ten tracks with a newfound sense of expansiveness and depth, making each moment resonate with intention. The LP was mixed and mastered by Corey Coffman from Gleemer (CO) and should appeal to fans of Moving Mountains, Gleemer, Glare, All Under Heaven, and Keep.
Bob Mould
Here We Go Crazy
Legendary guitar-pop singer/songwriter Bob Mould has announced his upcoming album "Here We Go Crazy," set to be released on March 7 via Granary Music/BMG Records. This 15th solo album features backing by drummer Jon Wurster and bassist Jason Narducy, delivering classic melodic fuzzed out guitar alt-pop with big hooks, reminiscent of Mould's previous work with Sugar and his solo endeavors.
Chain
No Spirit
Chain, a heavy alt-rock band from Fresno, California, is set to self-release their debut full-length album "No Spirit" on March 14, 2025. Their music draws influences from 90s alt-rock icons like Smashing Pumpkins and Nirvana, as well as bands like Title Fight and Superheaven, creating a sound characterized by thunderous guitars, infectious melodies, and anthemic hooks. Whether you’re moshing in a packed room or driving with the windows down, Chain delivers a cathartic experience that’s equal parts nostalgic and refreshing. Fan of bands like Soul Blind, Superbloom, Hotline TNT, Dosser, and Roving will enjoy Chain's fuzzed out high energy sound, blending nostalgia with a refreshing post-grunge and punk rock spirit.
SOM
Let The Light In
SOM is set to release their third LP, "Let The Light In," on March 14, 2025 via Pelagic Records. Described as "Doom Pop," their music blends elements of shoegaze, post-metal, and dream pop, with a broad sonic landscape, both heavy and tranquil all at once. The songs are triumphant, with reverb soaked guiars, big vocal melodies, and pop hooks, while still containing the post-hardcore/metal edge they've incorporated in their previous work. Drawing comparisons to bands like Deftones, Astronoid, and Holy Fawn, SOM's new album showcases their best mix of heaviness, beauty, melody and catchiness, exploring themes of resilience and growth.
Touch The Clouds
Touch The Clouds
Touch the Clouds, a Detroit alternative rock band composed of veterans from the local scene including 3/4 of the early 2000s post-punk meets emo-core band Few and Far Between, will release its 15 track self-titled LP on March 14, 2025 via Elkion Records. The new album picks up where Few and Far Between left off, but with more depth and maturity as the band members are 20+ years older with more music and life experience under their belts. Tracks like the gossamer “Tension” and the dynamic “You Got No Soul” combine Hunt’s angular guitar work with Philip’s soaring emotive vocals—creating tracks that snap between post punk iciness and the warm groove of vintage R&B, showcasing the band's diverse musical influences and knack for writing big melodies with anthemic hooks. Fans of Built To Spill, Sunny Day Real Estate, Smashing Pumpkins, and Jimmy Eat World will find Touch the Clouds' debut LP both a nostalgic and compelling listen, that will sit well within the current alternative musical landscape.
Dead Bars
All Dead Bars Go To Heaven
Seattle power-pop punk rockers Dead Bars are gearing up to release their third LP, "All Dead Bars Go to Heaven," on March 21, 2025 through Iodine Recordings. Drawing comparisons to bands like Japandroids, The Replacements, White Reaper, and Fucked Up, Dead Bars have established themselves as a formidable force in the music scene, known for their energetic live performances and raw but anthemic singalong tracks with a pop sheen. Their latest album features 10 hook-laden songs that offer a mix of nostalgia and fresh perspectives, punk energy and power-pop guitar riffs, highlighted by their new single "Give the Metalhead a Hug," that should please old fans and new.
Bantom Woods
Lotteries & Lightning Strikes (Single)
Bantom Woods, an Alternative Indie Rock band from Austin, Texas, released their debut EP "With All Due Respect" in summer 2023 and will be dropping their latest single "Lotteries & Lightning Strikes" on March 28, 2025 as a preview to their upcoming album. The band's sound blends alternative rock, 90s college indie, post-punk, and dream pop, drawing inspiration from artists such as The Replacements, Sonic Youth, Ride, The Hold Steady, Sugar and Superdrag. Comprising Indie rock veterans from Austin, including members of Silver Scooter, Bantom Woods creates a distinctive and catchy mix that will appeal to fans of various alternative rock genres.
Deafheaven
Lonely People With Power
DEAFHEAVEN is gearing up to release their upcoming album, "Lonely People With Power" on March 28 through Roadrunner Records. The album showcases their signature blend of aggressive black metal and dreamy shoegaze/post-rock influences, featuring guest vocals from Jae Matthews of Boy Harsher and Paul Banks of Interpol on select tracks. Produced by Justin Meldal-Johnsen and mixed by Zach Weeks, this album follows their Grammy-nominated 2021 release, "Infinite Granite", with a promising sonic evolution that combines elements of their earlier work in "Sunbather" with their recent melodic explorations. This is shaping up to be their most ambitious release yet.
Underoath
The Place After This One
Iconic genre-defining rock band Underoath is set to release their new album, "The Place After This One," on March 28, 2025, showcasing a blend of their classic post-hardcore sound, with a crystalline vision blending hard rock, metal, electronic experimentation, guttural screams and anthemic, call-to-arms choruses. The band aims to push boundaries with a new sound that draws inspiration from acts like The Prodigy and The Chemical Brothers while still staying true to the sound that made this band so special in the first place. Sonically, its references are varied and complex, and is a distillation of everything they’ve accomplished thus far. Fans of all eras of this band should find something to love on this new LP.