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.

PARKWALKER, hailing from Germany and formed in 2018, crafts a captivating blend of emopop and slowcore that resonates with urban tranquility. Their sophomore album, "The Extra Mile," released on January 30, 2026, immerses listeners in a poetic exploration of city park serenity. Drawing influences from '90s bands like American Football and Rainer Maria, the quartet of Hannes, Nicola, Arnaud, and Armin weaves clean guitars, warm vocals, and introspective lyrics into a modern yet nostalgic sound that beckons you to pause, breathe, and savor the moment.

Starting out on the floors of squats and basements, SHORELINE have played pretty much every venue in Europe that has provided them with a power outlet over the past ten years. Since then, they have played shows with scene legends such as FOUR YEAR STRONG, KNUCKLE PUCK, and SILVERSTEIN. This February, they will be touring the UK with ARM’S LENGTH – and just recently, they played a sold-out, acclaimed hometown show at Sputnikhalle in Münster with 600 tickets sold, their biggest headlining concert to date. SHORELINE was formed in 2015 out of a desire to be an active part of the scene back home in Münster. First demo songs on YouTube and plenty of DIY diligence soon got the band on the road. With their third album, To Figure Out, SHORELINE gained attention beyond Europe’s borders when they became the first German band to release an album on the US label Pure Noise Records. The band is gearing up to release their latest LP 'Is This The Low Point Or The Moment After?' on March 13, 2026, through Pure Noise Records.

Based in Brooklyn, Endearments are set to make their mark with the upcoming release of their debut album 'An Always Open Door' on March 6, 2026, via Trash Casual. Their emotionally dense and lush synth-backed indie rock, produced by Abe Seiferth of Nation of Language and Car Seat Headrest fame, draws on influences from 80s synthpop and late-90s emo. With a sound that navigates the realms of energetic indie rock whilst preserving raw lyrical storytelling, Endearments captivate listeners with their introspective and poignant musical craftsmanship.

Fire in the Radio is a Philadelphia-based indie rock/punk band known for their catchy high energy sound blending 90s indie rock, emo and melodic pop-punk influences, drawing inspiration from Jawbreaker, Bob Mould, Superchunk, Samiam and the like. Formed in the 2010s, key members include Rich Carbone (vocals/guitar), Jon Miller (vocals/guitar), Ed Olsen (bass), and Adam Caldwell (drums). They gained attention for albums like Telemetry (2015) and Monuments (2020) on Wednesday Records, praised for their catchy songwriting and dynamic rock style. They are gearing up to reissue their debut LP Red Static Action (2000) and are working on new material for 2026.

New Jersey has produced some of the greatest emo and rock bands of all time, and the state is continuing to build the next generation of soon to be staple acts. Enter Capillary, the four piece crafting emotive and powerful tracks sure to capture the attention of even the most staunch genre purists. Signed to 51st State Records (run by Joey Chiaramonte of Koyo), the band released their debut self-titled EP in early 2024. Gearing up to release a full-length in 2026, today Capillary share a two song promo - "Lost Sleep" and "Time Before The Order.”

Taking influence from bands like Rites of Spring, Sunny Day Real Estate, and Mineral, you’ll hear strong building melodies, compelling riffs, and poignant vocals. “Lost Sleep” captures living in New Jersey - “a melancholy feeling in the air sometimes longing for those really simple and blissful times,” while "Time Before The Order" calls out the feeling of longing for someone. The tracks were recorded, mixed, and mastered with Justin Bartlett at Studio 4 in Conshohocken, PA (All Under Heaven, Carly Cosgrove).

RIYL: Title Fight, Anxious, One Step Closer, No Pressure

Long Square is a new Detroit, Michigan indie/emo /alt-rock band that looks back on the second wave of midwest-emo in which they were raised. Containing big and soaring melodies, technical twinkling guitar riffs over heavy distortion, and emotionally charged vocals, Long Square are gearing up to release their debut LP on Forge Again Records called "Even A Single Lumen". RIYL Braid, Minus the Bear, The Promise Ring, Cap'n Jazz, This Town Needs Guns, Kind of Like Spitting, Cursive

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.

Family Medicine is an emo/post-hardcore band hailing from St. Louis, known for their dynamic sound and captivating performances. Formed in 2015, the group's lineup includes members Joe, Chris, David, and vocalist Jonathan, with Blake joining on second guitar in 2021. Drawing inspiration from bands like Bear vs Shark and Hey Mercedes, their upcoming album *Very Nice and Good* showcases their growth and dedication to their craft. For fans of Drug Church, Small Brown Bike, Bear Vs Shark, and Hey Mercedes.

Feverchild is a Belgian emo/post-hardcore band from Ghent, formed around 2020, known for blending '90s emo aesthetics with heavy guitars, dynamic shifts, and catchy melodies, drawing members from hardcore scenes (Minded Fury, Force, Animal Club) and featuring production from Gilles Demolder (Oathbreaker). After the release of their EPs in 2021 and 2023, Feverchild are gearing up to release their new full-length album, 'Center of the Earth', on March 20, 2026, via Sunday Drive Records. Feverchild draws comparisons to bands like Texas Is The Reason and Sense Field, promising a compelling addition to the Sunday Drive discography.

Red Arrow Highway, hailing from West Michigan, is an alt-rock band gearing up to unveil their sophomore album, *Be Someone Better*, on March 20th, 2026, under the banner of North Carolina's indie label, Self Aware Records. Drawing inspiration from rock legends like Bruce Springsteen and Tom Petty, as well as modern torchbearers such as The Menzingers, The Gaslight Anthem, Spanish Love Songs and Bright Eyes, their sound marries classic rock aesthetics with contemporary indie punk passion with big alt-rock hooks. Through their lead single 'Not the End,' the band delves into societal critique with infectious melodies and fervent instrumentation, encapsulating the essence of their upcoming record.

Tigers Jaw is an American indie rock band formed in Scranton, Pennsylvania, in 2005 by Ben Walsh and Adam McIlwee. Known for their catchy, emotional, and relatable music, the band has evolved significantly, with Walsh and Brianna Collins becoming the primary members after McIlwee's departure in 2013. They are recognized for their DIY ethos and contributions to the "emo revival" scene, releasing several influential albums and EPs throughout their career. The band is currently signed to Hopeless Records and will release their Will Yip produced 7th LP in March of 2026.

RIYL: Jimmy Eat World, Weezer, The Get Up Kids, Macseal, The Hotelier, Modern Baseball, Charmer, Oso Oso, Pet Symmetry

Bicycle Inn is an emo band from Boston, Massachusetts, formed in 2016. The band consists of Declan Moloney (bass), Noah Aguiar (guitar/vocals), Dylan Ilkowitz (guitar/auxiliary vocals), Gilmar Perez (lead guitar), and Josh Giaquinto (percussion). They are known for blending emotional, often melancholy themes with an alternative and sometimes post-hardcore edge, and have released albums like This Time and Place Is All I'll Ever Know and forthcoming LP "Long in the Tooth" scheduled for November 2025.

RIYL: Good Sleepy, Charmer, Arm's Length, Ben Quad

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.

Held., the dynamic trio composed of Douglas Robinson and Sal Mignano from The Sleeping, alongside Josh Eppard of Coheed And Cambria, burst onto the scene with their debut album GREY on May 15 through MNRK Heavy. Their music is a blend of alternative rock and post-hardcore, with a fresh and fully realized sound that positions them as sonic tornado chasers, tearing through urgent and volatile musical landscapes.

Notable influences on Held. include bands like My Chemical Romance and Coheed And Cambria, evident in their powerful anthem 'NEW YOU ANTHEM' featuring Frank Iero. Hailing from the musical hub of Woodstock, the trio's serendipitous collaboration and creative energy were captured at the inspiring Animal Farm studio in Flemington, N.J., under the guidance of producer Jon Markson.

Honor Choir, an up and coming Oklahoma City emo/post-hardcore band will release their new EP "Modes of Transport" on February 13, 2026 via Sunday Drive Records. Drawing influence from Blink-182 with a twist of early-2000s emo and post-hardcore sounds, as well as 80s new-wave bands like New Order, their tracks like "Satellite Receiver" and "Envelope" showcase a cohesive blend of their diverse influences, each featuring catchy choruses.

Brooklyn-based emo punks Awful Din, formed in 2014, have become fixtures in the New York DIY scene with their crunchy, emo-inspired melodic punk sound. Influenced by bands like Saves The Day and Texas Is The Reason, guitarists Kat and Aaron showcase their chemistry honed since childhood. Their upcoming ANTI BODY LP, set for release on January 28 via We’re Trying Records, promises bittersweet and introspective themes, continuing their evolution from their debut LP Only Constantly in 2022.

Pacifist is a Mumbai-based, 5-piece post-hardcore band known for their cathartic, emotionally charged music blending 90s hardcore, post-punk, and noise-rock, reflecting themes of urban anxiety and societal apathy. Since forming, they've gained recognition in the South Asian hardcore scene with their energetic live shows and releases like the Greyscale Dreams EP, aiming to connect Indian hardcore to the global stage with DIY ethics and powerful soundscapes. The band will release a new EP titled Five EP in January 2026. RIYL: At the Drive In, Refused, Thursday, La Dispute, Touche Amor

Initially the solo project of Ryan Nolen, FOOTBALLHEAD showcases the poppier side of 90s radio rock. With big guitars and bubblegum hooks, these nostalgia soaked songs evoke the energy of early Jimmy Eat World, Third Eye Blind, and blink-182 while also incorporating elements of grunge and post-hardcore with bands like Story of the Year, The Used, Basement, and One Step Closer. Nolen has teamed up with Adam Siska (The Academy Is... & Say Anything) to keep the ethos of 90s/2000s alternative pop music fresh and dynamic. The band is currently signed to Tiny Engines and released an LP and EP through them already, and a new LP is set for March 2026.