Release Wave

Toledo-based rock band Citizen have announced their upcoming album Halcyon Blues, set for release on August 7 via Run For Cover Records. The band’s latest single, “Highs and Lows,” highlights their dynamic sound, pulling from the many directions they’ve explored over the past 17 years. Recorded by vocalist Mat Kerekes and mixed by Tom Lorde-Alge, the album blends the urgency of their early work with the bigger, more polished hooks of their later releases. Having moved between raw emo, post-hardcore, grunge, and indie-leaning alternative, Halcyon Blues pulls those threads together into a cohesive, fully realized statement that feels like a natural next step for the band.

Legendary NY post-hardcore band Quicksand are set to release their new album "Bring On The Psychics" on July 17, 2026 via Equal Vision Records, marking a blend of the band's heavy 90s groove-laden sound, with a modern, experimental approach. “For this album, I was going back to a lot of my earlier influences about ‘Break Down The Walls’ or ‘Start Today,’” says lead guitarist/vocalist Walter Schreifels. Rounded out by long time bassist/vocalist Sergio Vega, and drummer Alan Cage, the album offers energetic tracks like lead off singles “Get To It” which sounds like a cross between Snapcase, Turnstile and classic Quicksand, and “Regenerate,” another immediate and punchy track with their trademark grooves, that also taps into the more experimental side of the band during the bridge, before climaxing to a classic shout along hook. Known for their hardcore roots, Quicksand's latest release promises a dynamic musical journey that appeals to both longtime fans and newcomers.

Hew, a Houston emo band (featuring members of football, etc.) formed in 2024, is releasing their debut LP "Your Version" on July 10, 2026. Across 11 tracks, Hew showcases a distinct emo sound that transcends simple revivalism. Drawing on themes of tension and contradiction, Hew's music is characterized by dynamic interplay between bass and Bass VI with angular and jangly guitars, coupled with catchy melodies and big vocal hooks, that will appeal to fans of bands like Tigers Jaw, Snail Mail, Lemuria and Sweet Pill.

Piebald, the Boston emo/indie rock favorites, are set to release their first LP in over 15 years, titled 'Tales For The Rages', on June 12 via Iodine Recordings. This album marks a significant return for the band, featuring 13 tracks that blend emo and indie-rock influences while infusing a fresh perspective on contemporary issues. Recorded at The Den in North Reading, MA, with the expertise of Doug Batchelder and Jay Maas, the album boasts Piebald's iconic clever songwriting and massive hooks. With themes touching on inequality and human behavior, 'Tales For The Rages' strikes a perfect balance between humor and emotional rawness, solidifying Piebald's relevance in the modern music landscape.

Indie rock titans and eight-time GRAMMY nominees Death Cab for Cutie – Benjamin Gibbard, Nicholas Harmer, Jason McGerr, Dave Depper and Zac Rae – announce their 11th studio album, I Built You A Tower, set to be released on June 5 via ANTI-Records. Recorded in just three weeks across various locations, the album captures the band's return to their independent roots, helmed by producer John Congleton. The introspective themes of personal growth and resilience shine through in the album's first single, "Riptides," as frontman Benjamin Gibbard navigates through personal struggles amidst global chaos, creating a deeply moving sonic journey that encapsulates the essence of Death Cab for Cutie's storied 30-year career.

Guided By Voices invites listeners into the introspective yet triumphant world of 'Crawlspace Of The Pantheon,' album #44 from the indie rock stalwarts, set to release on May 29th via GBV Inc Records. The album features the anthemic single 'We Outlast Them All,' a heartfelt testament to perseverance over time. With emotionally conceptual lyrics that delve into autobiography, Robert Pollard's meticulous craftsmanship shines through in this distinctive indie rock offering with classic GBV guitar jangle, melody and hooks.

Lozenge, a nu-gaze/shoegaze trio from Leeds, UK, is releasing their sophomore EP titled "Everything" on May 29, 2026. The EP showcases a more mature sound with complex arrangements and heavy themes, featuring singles like "Silver," "For Lack of Trying," and "Bird's-Eye View," along with the title track. Drawing influences from 90s guitar heavy alternative rock, post-grunge, dream pop and shoegaze, Lozenge's unique blend of distorted guitars and introspective vocals resonates with fans of Swervedriver, My Bloody Valentine, The Smashing Pumpkins, and Nirvana along with contemporary bands like Narrow Head, Glare, and Whirr.

Denver punk band Public Opinion is releasing their second album, The Curse of Public Opinion on August 7th through SideOneDummy. Clocking in at a mean. 23 minutes, The Curse of Public Opinion is loaded with fuck-you anthems that plumb the depths of existential disappointment through a sneering cocktail of 2000s garage rock swagger, classic punk hooks, and hardcore ferocity. Plenty of albums provide the soundtrack for picking yourself back up, but Public Opinion are there for when you're getting kicked while you're down.

The Menzingers are set to release their new album 'Everything I Ever Saw' on July 17 via Epitaph, with the lead track 'Chance Encounters' already available to stream and watch. Produced by Grammy award-winning producer Will Yip (Turnstile), the album explores themes of change and growth, showcasing the band's raw and collaborative spirit, with big melodies and the anthem choruses that made them essential and inspirational to so many bands that followed in the punk scene. Everything I Ever Saw is The Menzingers at their most defining, forged in the wake of life-altering change, where marriage, divorce, loss, and growth collide with a renewed creative urgency.

Long Island-based band Adult Magic is making their return with the upcoming release of "Are You Even Happy Now?" on June 19, 2026, via Dead Broke Rekerds. Known for their energetic punk-influenced sound, the album continues their dynamic songwriting style drawing comparisons to acts like Hüsker Dü, The Replacements, and early Goo Goo Dolls. With members involved in various projects, Adult Magic's evolving DIY punk sound explores themes of personal reflection and contemporary concerns. Lead off single "Burned Out" from the forthcoming LP is now streaming everywhere.

Modest Mouse's upcoming album "An Eraser and a Maze" is set for release on June 5, 2026, marking their first album on Glacial Pace Recordings after over two decades with Epic Records. Produced by Isaac Brock along with other notable producers, the album showcases a blend of Modest Mouse's distinct eras and themes while embodying a raw and unfiltered musical approach. For a taste of what's to come, latest single “Picking Dragon’s Pockets,” is a bombastic kickoff to the album with an anthemic chorus that’ll have you singing loudly about navigating a manipulative, self-destructive world. Previously release song “Look How Far,” finds Isaac Brock's signature blunt and sardonic tone remains intact, especially in the stark lyric that questions human progress: "Look how far we’ve come / oh my god we’re so fucking dumb.”

Massachusetts-based shoegaze/emo quintet The Dreamtoday is set to release their sophomore album, We Won’t Survive the Comet, on June 2, 2026. Drawing inspiration from acts like My Bloody Valentine and Slowdive, the band's sound features a mix of heavy guitars, dreamy textures, and big hooks. With singles like "Crystal Sky" and "Breathe," the new record promises a rich sonic landscape that blends nostalgic shoegaze and grunge elements with modern melodic emo and alt-rock sensibilities.

Embark on a sonic journey with Sparta's highly anticipated album, 'Cut A Silhouette', set to release on May 29, 2026 via Equal Vision Records. Produced by the renowned J. Robbins at Magpie Cage Studio, this record signifies a bold evolution for the Texas alt-rock stalwarts, blending post-hardcore energy with melodic introspection. Collaborating with Frank Iero of My Chemical Romance on the dynamic single 'Crater' now streaming everywhere, Sparta's distinctive sound shines through, offering a fresh exploration of new musical territories while still sounding very much like classic Sparta.

Philadelphia melodic punk trio FILM, featuring Ken Vasoli of The Starting Line and Joe Reinhart of Algernon Cadwallader, will release their debut album 'Permanence' on May 22 via Lauren Records, marking the final recordings of drummer TJ DeBlois who passed away in 2023. The album carries a raw, instinct-driven sound akin to Drive Like Jehu, Braid and Mclusky, touching on themes of legacy and the transient nature of time. The lead single 'Roundabout' exemplifies their urgent and heartfelt songwriting style, capturing the essence of their collaborative journey and paying tribute to DeBlois's lasting impact on their music.

Her Head's on Fire are releasing their new record "Am I Not Your Girl?" on July 17th via Iodine Recordings, featuring the single "We're Not Running." Drawing on influences from past 90s post-hardcore and emo acts, the band's focus on genuine songwriting shines through, with production by Jack Shirley creating an intimate, live feel. The band continues to excel at weaving past and present to deliver rock music that hits a sweet spot of post-hardcore grit and genuine songcraft. Am I Not Your Girl? is an exercise in simplicity born from years of consistency, prioritizing true-blue songwriting that draws on a lifetime of influences, from Revolution Summer sincerity to the conciseness modeled by The Replacements: Big choruses, big moments, big emotions.

RIYL: Texas is the Reason, The Casket Lottery, Jawbox, The Get Up Kids, Samiam and Quicksand

On "I Think I Want To Go Home Now." by The Xcerts, expect a cathartic blend of raw emotion and furious energy as the Brighton-based band channels personal struggles into a sonic outpouring of anger and frustration. With the track "pretty ugly" leading the charge, vocalist Murray Macleod's intense vocals navigate internal turmoil and external pressures, showcasing a nod to post-hardcore influences while pushing their sound forward. In the face of adversity, the band's cohesive bond shines through in these remarkably immediate songs, making this record a poignant and authentic display of friendship and resilience.

Lovewell's debut album "Everything You Ever Wanted" invites listeners into a dreamy landscape where indie rock meets emo influences, creating a sonic journey that is both introspective and captivating. Mark Palladino and Joe Bradshaw's transition from the hardcore scene is evident in the album's evolution, as they seamlessly blend breezy yet fuzzy alternative rock with emo and hints of dream-pop, reminiscent of bands like Turnover, Tigers Jaw, Jimmy Eat World, Anxious, & Balance & Composure. The lead single 'Less Than Forever' now streaming everywhere, sets the tone for the album, signaling Lovewell's growth and establishing them as a band to keep an eye out for.

Brisbane emo rock band Bad Neighbour is releasing their sophomore album "Burns From The X-rays" on June 5, 2026 via Ninth Life Records. The band has spent the past few years carving out a rough-around-the-edges, heart-on-sleeve emo/alt-rock sound that feels unmistakably theirs. The quartet came together off the back of shared musical interests and combined motivation to tread their own sonic ground inspired by the likes of PUP, Modern Baseball and The Menzingers. The new LP is a strong representation of what Bad Neighbour do so well: emotive storytelling, dynamic vocal delivery that rises and falls with the moment, distorted guitars dripping in nostalgia, and tension that builds into huge crescendos. They've also incorporated darker indie-rock textures that connect back to the foundation laid by their 2024 debut LP.

Melodic emo-core band Oakwood return after 10 years with a new album "Blurred Away" set for release on May 29, 2026 via Memory Music. The album has been described as an exhilarating sonic journey that seamlessly blends the raw emotion of early wave emo and post-hardcore with the high-energy melodies of indie and punk rock. Collaborating with acclaimed producer Phil Odom and Grammy Award-winning mastermind Will Yip, the West Texas trio deliver what is expected to be a deeply cathartic album that channels existential dread into a poignant narrative of survival and self-discovery. Drawing inspiration from the likes of Title Fight and Algernon Cadwallader, Oakwood's long-awaited release stands out for its unapologetic authenticity and poignant exploration of the complexities of growing up and finding one's place in the world.

Turnover will release their new album 'Down On Earth' on May 29, 2026, featuring 10 new tracks that are described as bringing things closer to their roots while continuing to evolve their sound..The band's theme of authenticity and evolution is evident in their two singles, 'Nightjar' and 'I See You And Realize', which are already available for streaming. Fans of Turnover's previous works can expect a balance of familiarity and growth in this upcoming release.