Posted: by The Editor
The Alternative Weekly Roundup is a column where our staff plugs a variety of new releases in a concise, streamlined format. Albums, singles, videos, and live sets. Check back each Monday to see what we were jamming the week prior.
Teenage Halloween – “Getting Bitter”
Building from a bouncy opening riff into an eventual fist-pumping anthem as Tricia Marshall repeats “tell me what you want me to say” over some wicked guitar lines, Teenage Halloween’s “Getting Bitter” is another ripper from the Jersey punks, who seem unable to put out a track that doesn’t immediately hit. It’s the third tune off their upcoming Till You Return, which is sure to be right up there with the best punk releases this year.
Aaron Eisenreich | @slobboyreject
Worn – Condensing Flesh
In a current sea of heavy ass-beating hardcore, Worn stands out. Their influences on Condensing Flesh are various, namechecking the bruising Boston hardcore of Think I Care and death metal titans Napalm Death. All that means for those not well-versed in hardcore is that it has the lightning attack of ‘80s hardcore and pairs it with metal in a compelling way. It was a combination that Integrity mastered, but Worn has its own distinct touches, and it helps make Condensing Flesh feel as menacing as the name supposes.
Hugo Reyes | @hvreyes5
Crime in Stereo – “Hypernormalisation”
We haven’t gotten a new Crime in Stereo album in over a decade, but that all ends in October. “Hypernormalisation” is our first taste of House & Trance, the Long Island band’s fifth LP, and it’s well worth the wait. The song is dark and brooding but builds to a monstrous hook of “abandon it.” The stateside might still be troubled, but at least we’ve got Crime in Stereo to ride it out with us.
Zac Djamoos | @gr8whitebison
Equipment – “LO/FO” & “Username”
Equipment already put out one of the better emo records in a pretty great year for emo records with their EP Miracle, but it looks like they’re not done with 2023. One of the more impressive aspects of Miracle was the way the group was able to include such intricate instrumentals without sacrificing the instant accessibility of the melodies or the quirky cleverness of the lyrics. All of these things are true for the group’s two new singles “LO/FO” and “Username,” which seem to indicate that Miracle was only a small peak at what the Quippy crew is capable of. Their new record Alt. Account out on 9/29 is a must listen for emo fans.
Aaron Eisenreich | @slobboyreject
Madds Buckley – “DogBird”
23-year-old Madds Buckley is an incredibly talented singer-songwriter who just recently released her album My Love Is Sick. “DogBird” is only one of several gems on the album and it’s so beautifully put together, both the song and video. The song tells a story about a failed relationship between a dog and a bird…but at its core, it’s a queer story that details the struggle of loving someone – wanting to love someone – while fighting your upbringing and everything you were taught to believe. If you’ve been looking for a good cry, this one will do it.
Jazmin Lemus | @_Jazmin
Friends Like Strangers – Perfect Weather
Friends Like Strangers’ debut LP takes the emo-pop of groups like Equipment and Arms Length and beefs it up with moodier, darker riffs and a bit more grit. Remember how much you liked those early Seahaven records? Perfect Weather will hit you like that.
Zac Djamoos | @gr8whitebison
Tetchy – “Married”
Starting off with heavy instrumentals and harsh vocals before flipping into a more melodic (but still left of center) sound, Tetchy’s “Married” takes aim at the automaton-like march through life of those who just do what the last generation did without any semblance of introspection. The question “why the fuck are you getting married?” and the observation “it wasn’t even a decision at all” are repeated throughout as Tetchy explore their different musical alleyways—which are always dimly lit and a little grimy. “Married” is the first single off the group’s upcoming EP All In My Head.
Aaron Eisenreich | @slobboyreject
Bottom Bunk – “Used Goods”
Though there are plenty of touchstones throughout Chicago emo that I could point to, Bottom Bunk feels distinctly of the current moment. In an interview, the singer Grayson Dela Fuente’s influences seem to be current bands, referencing Ben Quad and Carly Cosgrove. And in listening to “Used Goods,” the inclination towards pop-punk indebted emo comes through. It starts with a familiar sprightly guitar twinkle before the vocals kick in. You even get some well-placed gang vocals to show off the potential for Bottom Bunk in a longer format.
Hugo Reyes | @hvreyes5
Nymphlord – Mothers Cry and Then We Die
“Stinks 4 Lyfe,” Nyphlord’s debut single, was a hypnotic slice of folk rock, but the rest of Mothers Cry and Then We Die is fuzzier, louder, catchier. It’s a great first offering from the LA indie rocker, and hopefully it’s the start of a long career.
Zac Djamoos | @gr8whitebison
Huachuca Aerostat – “Rainbow Jacket”
With guitars as fuzzy as the narrator’s thoughts, Huachuca Aerostat’s “Rainbow Jacket” is all head-in-clouds swagger—even if the lyrics like “I’m following rainbows / looking for the gold / looking for photos of myself / when I wasn’t so old” betray a more self-conscious scene. It’s an instantly catchy tune that gets pushed to another level by the huge sound coming from the guitars, particularly in the slick lead lines. Huachuca Aerostat’s wild new record Whipper & Hornet is out on 9/15.
Aaron Eisenreich | @slobboyreject
The Alternative’s ‘New Music Friday’ playlist
Each week our editor Lindsy Carrasquillo compiles a playlist of songs our staff has been jamming. We post it on Fridays on Twitter and then include it in each edition of the Weekly Roundup to make sure you don’t miss any of the great music we’re recommending.
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