Posted: by The Alt Editing Staff
The Alternative Weekly Roundup is a column where our staff plugs a variety of new releases in a concise, streamlined format: albums, singles, videos, live sets. Check back every other Monday to see what we were jamming the week prior.
Westside Cowboy – So Much Country ‘Till We Get There
It may be the middle of January, but Westside Cowboy’s latest EP, So Much Country ‘Till We Get There, is the sound of summer. The EP is infectiously cheerful with countless moments of wild guitars and great vocals sprinkled throughout (look no further than “The Wahs”) that beckon you to come back to it over and over. The young indie outfit is further cementing that London’s Windmill scene is producing some of the hardest-hitting rock and indie bands making music today.
Jules Kelly | @snaiImaiI
dutchmasters – untitled
Released right at the crack of the new year was dutchmasters’ latest record. For New York’s premiere single-member lofi screamo-tronica project, untitled is yet another brilliant showcase of mastermind Kelly Bowman’s ear for melody, rage, and esoteric album structures. After hearing substation, my home. melancholy, my bride. back in early 2024, I instantly knew she was onto something special, and untitled is another entry into her discography that plays at the boundaries of emo, screamo, rock, chiptune, and so many other otherwise unmarriable sounds, making everything shine and glow.
Elias Amini | @listentohyakkei
By Storm – “And I Dance”
What do you do in the face of unexplained tragedy? It’s taken almost six years for former Injury Reserve members Parker Corey and RiTchie to find their own answer to that question: dance. “And I Dance,” the first official single off the upcoming By Storm debut, My Ghosts Go Ghost, offers a dreamier and brighter look into the duo’s sound as they explore moving forward after the death of Stepa J. Groggs, the third piece of the Injury Reserve trio. By Storm continues to keep the magic of their sound intact while offering a simple answer to a poignant question: all you can do is dance.
Jules Kelly | @snaiImaiI
Ferris Wheel Regulars – Back in the Jetstream
The best song on Ferris Wheel Regulars’ 2023 Distance Holds the Past was a loping, atmospheric ballad called “Lily Pads” that broke away from the jagged space rock of the rest of the LP. That song seemed to be the jumping-off point for their third album. Back in the Jetstream still has its share of alt rock bangers, but the songwriting is far more layered this time around. These songs are more dynamic, constantly twisting and reshaping themselves, and they occasionally conjure up some unexpected touchstones: The hypnotic “Moves Like Clouds” and the closing “Just Like Stars” sparkle in ways that recall Jimmy Eat World’s Clarity.
Zac Djamoos | @gr8whitebison
Gummy? – “Zipper”
On their first EP, Eternity Under Me Is Static, New York fantasy-punk rockers Gummy? cut through the fuzz to create heavy-hitting punk anthems driven by ripping, staticky guitars and relentless percussion. “Come With” showcases just how sharp the band can be, with blown-out guitars tearing forward while lead singer Gummy sounds confident and commanding. Across the EP, Liminal Man’s drumming stays fast-paced and urgent, especially on “Oh No,” where it’s paired with aggressive, crushing guitars that never let up. Eternity Under Me Is Static releases this Friday, January 23rd, and the single, the incredible “Zipper,” is out now.
Jules Kelly | @snaiImaiI
The Alternative’s ‘New Music Friday’ playlist
Each week we compile a playlist of songs our staff has been jamming. We post it on Fridays 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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