October, 2026 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
Listen through the month as a playlist, then jump back into the release archive below.
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Harker
All That Remains
The album 'All That Remains' by Brighton punk rock quartet Harker will be released on October 2nd via Disconnect Disconnect Records. Rooted in Brighton’s DIY ethos, Harker's sound fuses the grit of Dischord Records, the fuzzed-drench warmth of 90s indie-rock, with the melodic bite of bands like Superchunk, The Get Up Kids, The Replacements and Against Me! Their upcoming release promises a raw, emotionally charged punk experience, with latest single "Dislocation" and previously released singles like 'Redacted' and 'I Ruin Everything' showcasing their knack for heartfelt hooks and urgent, melodic punk.
Leisure Hour
...that one day
"...that one day" is the second part of Leisure Hour’s trilogy following "…and to think," set for release on October 2, 2026 via Counter Intuitive. The album showcases a blend of upbeat pop-punk and heartfelt emo, featuring vocal trade-offs among band members Grace Dudas, Raegan Gordon, Isaiah Neal, and Frank Blation. For fans of The Front Bottoms, Modern Baseball, Hot Mulligan, Joyce Manor and Saturdays at Your Place.
MX LONELY
Perfect House
MX LONELY follow 2026 debut album ALL MONSTERS with the four-song Perfect House EP, out October 2 via Julia's War Recordings. Built from old demos reshaped in the band's basement studio, the EP turns its focus inward, pairing heavy shoegaze and alt-rock with songs about a seemingly perfect home coming apart from within.
Wishy
Nature's Pill
Indianapolis band Wishy, who blend dream-pop with 90s alt rock and 80s jangly, fuzzed out college rock, is releasing their sophomore LP titled "Nature's Pill" on October 2nd via Winspear. Across 10 new tracks, the album explores themes of romantic frustration and the chaos of human experience, expressed through its vibrant melodies, fuzzy guitars, zany lyrics and catchy hooks. The lead single "Lovesick" embodies a pop-forward sound reminiscent of The Cure and The Sundays, presenting a cheeky and romantic narrative.
Siilk
Visceral Images
Visceral Images is the new 14-track album from Kansas City’s Siilk set for release on October 8, 2026. Following their self-titled 2022 EP, 2023 full-length Fall in place and 2025 single “Silver Tongue,” the band continues exploring the overlap of grungegaze, alternative rock, post-hardcore and nu-metal: hazy guitar textures with heavy distortion, driving low end, muscular grooves,r and melodic hooks with a harder edge. Lead single "Death Proxy" is a perfect example of this. Fans of Soul Blind, Split Chain, Day Aches, Deftones, Superheaven, and Bleed should find familiar points of entry.
Feldspar
Soft Side
Rome based rock band Feldspar’s Soft Side arrives October 9, bringing hardcore urgency into a sharp mix of power-pop, modern punk, and ’90s alternative. Produced by Jon Markson and Alan Day, the ten-track album includes the early singles “Good Kids” and “Heart Is A Ghetto.”
pushbike
Little Bastard EP
Exeter’s pushbike return with four tracks of noisy, hook-filled indie rock on Little Bastard EP , out October 9, 2026, through The Bird Records. Recorded in Bristol with Jack Ogborne, the record packs its power-pop melodies and second-wave emo energy into less than ten minutes.
Selfish Things
Receptivity
The album "Receptivity" by Selfish Things, out on October 9, 2026, delves into themes of addiction, recovery, and self-reflection. Produced by Juno Award winner Mike Tompa and mixed by Sam Guaiana, the emotionally charged alternative rock album explores dark and introspective territory, highlighted by the collaboration with Mike Froh of The Holly Springs Disaster on the single "Violence". Drawing influences from bands like The Used and My Chemical Romance, the record offers a raw and honest portrayal of facing personal challenges and embracing growth.
Shiner
The Y Section
Shiner gathers more than 25 years of rarities, unreleased material and hard-to-find tracks on The Y Section , out October 9, 2026 via Spartan Records. The 10-track collection includes the band's heavy, atmospheric cover of My Bloody Valentine's “Only Shallow.”
Teddy DuChamp's Army
...The Spirit Never Dies.
Teddy DuChamp's Army return with ...The Spirit Never Dies. , out October 9, 2026. Recorded at J. Robbins' Magpie Cage with Robbins on bass and Mario Quintero on second guitar, the record channels melodic, hook-heavy punk in the vein of Seaweed, Samiam, and Rival Schools.
Teenage Fanclub
Do Not Dare To Dream
Teenage Fanclub's thirteenth studio album, Do Not Dare To Dream , presents their signature blend of melodic guitars and warm harmonies, to be released on October 9, 2026 through Merge Records. Recorded in a remote location at Black Bay Studio, the album features reflective songwriting and prominently showcases a Domus church organ, with lead single "Day In The Sun" embodying a quietly hopeful perspective on renewal and everyday resilience.
wakelee
under construction forever
Brooklyn trio wakelee return with under construction forever , out October 9, 2026 via Wax Bodega. The 11-track album pushes their indie rock and emo foundation into bigger, more atmospheric territory while keeping the band’s direct, lived-in songwriting at the center. RIYL: Jimmy Eat World. Hotline TNT, Hot Mulligan, This is Lorelei
Semaphore
Despite What You Say
Semaphore’s 11-track album Despite What You Say arrives October 10, 2026 through Candlepin Records. Led by the new single “Bunny,” it pairs the Brooklyn band’s post-shoegaze haze with alternative-rock melody and post-hardcore weight.
Fish Narc
Uncle
fish narc returns with Uncle , his fifth album, out October 16, 2026 via K Records. Produced by Alex Farrar, the record leans fully into fuzzy, jangly ’80s and ’90s college rock, with lead single “Much Less Me” offering the first look. RIYL Gin Blossoms, The Replacements, Yuck, Superdrag
Fontaines D.C.
Dopamine Chamber
Fontaines D.C. today announce their fifth studio album, Dopamine Chamber, released on 16th October via XL Recordings. Produced by James Ford, the 11 track LP explores a colder and more synthetic sound compared to their previous works. The album features evocative tracks like lead single "Marianne" that delve into themes of escapism, hedonism, and the allure of pleasure amid peril. Characterized by potent balladry and anthemic melodies, "Dopamine Chamber" represents a radical departure for the band, incorporating cold synthesizers, drums, and samples with minimal guitar presence. Fontaines D.C. continue to push boundaries, posing questions about humanity's future and the listener's experience within the album's experimental chamber.
Gollylagging
Real Life
Boston DIY indie rock band Gollylagging’s debut album Real Life arrives October 16, 2026 via Disposable America. The ten-track record pairs fuzzy, high-volume indie rock with songs about fractured relationships, repetition, loss and the sustaining power of community. The result keeps the melodic looseness of Pavement and Alex G while leaning into the guitar weight associated with Dinosaur Jr., Swirlies and Pile.
Paerish
Rita
Paerish return with Rita , their fourth full-length, out October 16, 2026 via SideOneDummy Records. Produced by longtime collaborator Will Yip, the album pushes the Paris band toward a louder, rawer and more immediate mix of the anthemic alternative rock, emo and shoegazey textures they're known for.
SAVE US
Death To Something
Death To Something is the debut full-length from transcontinental alt-metal trio SAVE US, out October 16, 2026 via Solid State Records. Produced by The Plot In You's Landon Tewers, the 12-track record pairs the slow-burn single "Bruised" with its emotional title track. Pre-order on vinyl now.
They Are Gutting A Body Of Water
KOOL FAITH / LOOSIES II
KOOL FAITH / LOOSIES II is a 29-track mixtape from They Are Gutting a Body of Water, out digitally October 16 and physically November 20 via ATO Records x Julia's War. The sprawling collection brings TAGABOW's shoegaze, noise and electronic instincts into a collaborative mixtape format featuring SPIRIT OF THE BEEHIVE, Hotline TNT, Full Body 2, Greg Mendez, Horse Jumper of Love and many more.
ANORAK!
FINGERS CROSSED
Tokyo emo band ANORAK! will release their third album, FINGERS CROSSED , on October 22, 2026 via Counter Intuitive. The Tokyo emo band's 10-song record blends intricate guitars, English and Japanese lyrics, and heartfelt vocals with occasional Auto-Tuned effects, drawing inspiration from Tokyo’s emo, alternative, and hardcore punk scenes as well as international touring connections and dance music.
Dad Hats
wash. rinse. repeat.
Dad Hats return with wash. rinse. repeat. , their third full-length, out October 23, 2026 through Mind Over Matter Records. Recorded at Costume Party Records and mixed by James Paul Wisner, the 11-song album pairs the Nashville band's hook-heavy emo/pop-punk with darker, self-deprecating reflections on adulthood. For fans of: The Wonder Years, PUP, The Menzingers, Arms Length, early Fall Out Boy
Dazy
MAXIMUMBLASTSUPERLOUD Vol. 2: 24 Songs From 2023-2026
Dazy will release MAXIMUMBLASTSUPERLOUD Vol. 2: 24 Songs From 2023-2026 via Lame-O Records on October 23, 2026. The album showcases a mix of fuzz-pop, layered rhythms, and inventive guitar work, including new tracks like "Beat Change" blending boom-bap beats with catchy hooks. This 24-track collection combines singles and EPs from the past three years with fresh material, illustrating Dazy's evolution since 2023. Fans of experimental pop and genre-blurring sounds can explore the compilation, featuring hits like BIG Problem b/w Gravity and Bad Penny .
Fake Names
Punk Ruins
Fake Names return with their third album, Punk Ruins , out October 23, 2026 via Epitaph Records. Recorded at Electrical Audio in Chicago, the 12-song set pushes the band's D.C. hardcore roots into hook-heavy punk and power pop.
Glittermouth
Glittermouth/Shallow Split EP
Glittermouth/Shallow Split EP is an upcoming split release from Peoria, Illinois grungegaze band Glittermouth and Shallow, due October 23, 2026, featuring 2 brand new songs "Better Daze" and "Severed." More details on the EP and their new single coming soon.