Release Wave

London slowcore band deathcrash, known for their distinctive blurry, slow-motion sound, is set to release their highly anticipated album Somersaults on February 27th via untitled (recs). With influences from the likes of the Jesus and Mary Chain, their music conveys fragility and intensity, as heard in their critically acclaimed previous albums Return and Less.

Hailing from Scotland, The Twilight Sad are known for their emotive and atmospheric post-punk sound that perfectly blends elements of shoegaze and indie rock. Formed in 2003, the band's musical style is characterized by James Graham's raw and introspective vocals layered over Andy MacFarlane's textured guitars. Drawing comparisons to bands like The Cure, Interpol, The Horrors, etc, The Twilight Sad's latest album set for release in March 2026 called "IT'S THE LONG GOODBYE" is a poignant exploration of human vulnerability, reflecting on personal struggles and profound experiences with a blend of tenderness and tempestuous force.

FakeYou is a Montreal-based punk band cultivating a sound that fuses loss and vulnerability into urgent, emotionally charged anthems. Hailing from the heart of Montreal's DIY punk scene, the band's gritty melodies and reflective lyrics capture the tumultuous aftermath of all-consuming devotion. Drawing inspiration from bands like Leatherface, Hot Water Music, and The Flatliners, FakeYou's debut album *Promise to Disappear* (out April 3rd via 59 X Records) showcases their raw edge and unwavering emotional depth, promising a cathartic journey through memory, madness, and longing.

Originating from Nashville, Idle Threat is a quintet consisting of Ernie Fabian, Zeke McKinney, Justin Jones, Nathan Moe, and Dylan Winstead. Since their formation in 2016, Idle Threat has captivated audiences with their emotional and hopeful lyrics, crafting a unique blend of rock music that offers both cathartic energy and open-hearted honesty. Drawing inspiration from bands like Haste the Day and Silent Planet, their upcoming album "you'll forget the sun" on Tooth and Nail Records is set to deliver a powerful message of resilience and faith, showcasing their ability to illuminate even the darkest moments with their music.

Angel Du$t is a Baltimore-based rock/punk band, led by Justice Tripp (from Trapped Under Ice), known for blending hardcore roots with melodic, hook-driven punk, pop, and even experimental sounds, previously featuring members from Turnstile like Daniel Fang, and evolving through various lineups while maintaining a core of creative restlessness and high-energy live shows, consistently exploring new sounds on albums like YAK, Brand New Soul and their forthcoming LP Cold 2 The Touch. The band is currently signed to Run for Cover Records.

Hailing from Philadelphia, the post-hardcore powerhouse Bitter Branches brings together members from notable bands like Deadguy, Lifetime, and Kid Dynamite. Their sophomore album, 'Let's Give The Land Back To The Animals', produced by J. Robbins, delves into darker, moodier territories, showcasing influences from Black Flag to the Amphetamine Reptile roster. With vocalist Tim Singer's introspective lyrics and a dynamic sonic landscape, Bitter Branches deliver a potent blend of aggression and nuance that resonates with themes of anger and societal defiance.

Palette Knife are an emo/indie/pop punk band from Columbus, Ohio who already have two LPs under their belt and write anthemic shout along songs with big guitar riffs and hooks. The band formed in 2018 and released their debut LP for Take This To Heart Records in 2021, featuring melodic emopunk anthems with math like guitar parts similar to bands like Charmer, Hot Mulligan, Into it Over It, Tiny Moving Parts, Origami Angel, Ben Quad and the like. They released their sophomore LP in January 2023 which was well received, and are now gearing up to release their 3rd album Keyframe in April of 2026.

Criteria is an Omaha, Nebraska-based indie/post-hardcore band formed in 2003 by Cursive founding member Steve Pedersen after he graduated from law school. Known for anthemic, guitar-heavy rock, the band released En Garde (2003) and When We Break (2005) on Saddle Creek Records. After a long hiatus, they returned with the album Years in 2020 and recently announced their new LP "Seize!" for Spartan Records in May of 2026. RIYL: Quicksand, Weezer, Smashing Pumpkins, Battles, Cursive

Haste The Day, the metalcore veterans hailing from Indiana, burst back onto the scene in 2024 with their blistering new single 'Shallows' off the upcoming album "Dissenter," set to drop on May 1st via Solid State Records. With a strong legacy of energetic riffs, heavy breakdowns, and anthemic choruses, the band's aggressive yet melodic sound draws comparisons to acts like Underoath and Norma Jean, with whom they've shared stages over the years.

Failure is a critically acclaimed American alternative rock band formed in Los Angeles in 1990 by Ken Andrews (vocals, guitar, bass, programming) and Greg Edwards (guitar, bass, keys), often joined by drummer Kellii Scott. Renowned for their space-rock and post-grunge sound, intricate, and meticulous production, the band is often regarded as "your favorite band's favorite band". Their sound is often categorized as alternative rock, space rock, post-grunge, and shoegaze, with a heavy emphasis on textured, layered, and often self-produced soundscapes with big guitar sounds. After a 17-year hiatus, the band reunited in 2014, releasing The Heart Is A Monster (2015), In The Future Your Body Will Be The Furthest Thing From Your Mind (2018), and Wild Type Droid (2021) and will release a new LP "Location Lost" in 2026. RIYL: Hum, Shiner, Catherine Wheel, Jawbox, Quicksand

I Am the Avalanche is a melodic punk and post-hardcore band from Brooklyn, New York, founded in 2004 by frontman Vinnie Caruana following the breakup of his previous band, The Movielife. The group is known for pairing aggressive, driving rhythms with raw, emotional lyrics. Caruana formed the band in 2004, enlisting members from various New York scenes, including The Movielife, Scraps and Heart Attacks, and Further Seems Forever. The moniker comes from a lyric written by Caruana, though it coincidentally mirrors a line in a poem by Stephen Dobyns. After debuting with a split EP and their self-titled album in 2005 on Drive-Thru Records, the band experienced long gaps between releases but maintained a loyal following. They released albums in 2011, 2014 and 2020. They celebrated their 20th anniversary in 2024 and recently announced their 4th LP set for release in April 2026. RIYL: The Movielife, Crime in Stereo, Polar Bear Club, The Descendents, Lagwagon

Founded in the vibrant New Jersey music scene, Human Error blend hard-hitting post-hardcore with a touch of 90’s grunge influence, creating an intense and cathartic sound. Established in 2024, the band swiftly gained attention with their self-titled EP and dynamic live performances alongside acts like Better Lovers and Have Mercy. Their upcoming EP, 'sour chalk water', promises to deliver a sonic assault of thick riffs, punchy drums, and emotional vocals, showcasing their raw energy and passion. RIYL: Superheaven, Sainthood Reps, Handsome, post-hardcore with grunge influences

Hailing from Philadelphia, Varials is a powerhouse in the metal scene, known for their hardcore ferocity and nu-metal groove. Consisting of Skyler Conder (vocals), Shane Lyons (guitar), Mike Foley (bass), and Sean Rauchut (drums), the band is set to drop their fourth album, 'Where The Light Leaves', on February 27, 2026, via Fearless Records. Drawing influences from bands like Knocked Loose and Code Orange, Varials' lead single 'The Hurt Chamber' showcases their ability to blend heavy aggression with melodic hooks, promising a captivating musical journey for fans of intense and memorable music.

Box Elder emerges from the vibrant music scene of Salt Lake City, with their self-titled debut LP set to release on April 10, 2026 via Steadfast Records and Sweet Cheetah Records. Blending the melodic urgency of The Get Up Kids and Jimmy Eat World with raw emotional storytelling, vocalist/guitarist Christopher Archuleta leads the band through a journey of personal struggle and growth. Originally a solo project born during the Covid era, Box Elder has evolved into a full-band collaboration with 2 EPs under their belt and a forthcoming new LP exploring themes of mental health, love lost, and the quest for identity. With a polished production that honors the weight of their songs, Box Elder's music captures the essence of heartfelt alternative rock.

Guided By Voices (GBV), formed in 1983 in Dayton, Ohio, is widely regarded as a premier indie rock band, pioneering the 90s lo-fi movement with jangly guitars, big melodies and hooks with over 40 albums under their belt. Led by songwriter Robert Pollard, they are celebrated for blending British Invasion-era hooks with power-pop and unconventional, short-song structures. The band's lineup has changed several times throughout the band's history, with its only constant member being prolific singer/songwriter Robert Pollard.

Formed in 2021, Jaguero is a punk/emo band from Vicenza, Italy featuring members of Slander, Regarde, and La Fortuna. Following the release of their EPs Worst Weekend Ever (2022) and New Love (2023), produced by Maurizio Baggio at La Distilleria and released via Epidemic Records, the band quickly gained momentum with festival appearances and international shows. Those early releases were later compiled into a limited-edition self-titled vinyl. With their debut full-length album "Make Me Feel Alive Again" due in April 2026, Jaguero push further into emotional extremes — blending punk urgency, grunge grit, and melodic hooks while staying rooted in the DIY spirit of small rooms and packed club floors, where shared experience matters more than genre boundaries.

Boston's post-hardcore stalwarts, The Saddest Landscape, have honed their blend of frenetic hardcore and poignant vulnerability for over two decades. With the upcoming release of their first full-length record in over a decade, "Alone With Heaven," the band showcases their emotional depth and musical complexity. Influenced by legends like Steve Albini, their sound navigates themes of survival and grief, creating a rich tapestry of sound that resonates with fans of Touché Amoré, Into It. Over It., and Julien Baker.

Trader is an Aarhus, Denmark-based indie/alt rock band gearing up to unveil their latest EP 'Hoodie' on May 8, 2026, featuring the lead single 'Buddy' that showcases a blend of energetic indie rock and introspective storytelling. Drawing inspiration from the raw vibrancy of Weezer's 'Pinkerton' era and the introspective depth akin to American artist Alex G, Trader navigates themes of identity and vulnerability with poignant lyricism. Produced by the talented duo Commotion, 'Buddy' sets the stage for 'Hoodie', promising a fusion of guitar-driven indie sounds, grunge influences, and infectious pop hooks that resonate with the complexities of self-discovery and coming-of-age.

Leisure Hour, the emo/indie rock band from Muncie, IN, is gearing up for the release of their highly anticipated album "...and to think" on January 30, 2026, marking their debut under emo label Counter Intuitive. Drawing inspiration from midwest emo and pop-punk, the trio delivers raw and heartfelt storytelling on themes of grief and regret, evidenced in their singles like "Ode to Muncie" and "Happy Birthday!" The band's energetic and emotional songs have garnered a strong following, propelled by their relentless DIY touring and recent success on TikTok.

Trxy!, a 19-year-old artist hailing from Southern Virginia, blends hazy dreamgaze textures with a sharp nu-metal edge on his debut album "Drowning In Bliss" set for release on February 27,, 2026. Influenced by the likes of Deftones and the new wave of digital-age shoegaze, his music explores themes of depression and emotional isolation through a modern lens, creating immersive soundscapes produced and mixed by Grammy winner Lawrence Rothman. With a rapidly growing fanbase and a unique DIY ethos, Trxy! is poised to shape shoegaze's evolution in the digital age.