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.
Golden Apples – Shooting Star
Golden Apples’ Shooting Star has all the fixings for an ideal autumnal record. It reminds me of my favorites from the ‘90s, and that sound always hits the best when you’re on the cusp of cold air in a jacket that doesn’t keep you warm enough, you know? “Noonday Demon” is the track I keep returning to the most, but all the songs are hazy, dreamy, dark, and direct. It’s up there for one of my favorite records this year.
Ryleigh Wann | @wannderful
Bound – “Cruel Summer”
Connecticut hardcore band Bound released their new single “Cruel Summer” back in September, and it’s been on rotation for me ever since. It’s a heavy track destined to incite violence at every show they play. Bound has two other singles out right now, “What About Em” and “Rust”—and they’ll be playing at Café Nine in New Haven, Connecticut on October 27th, so watch out.
Daniella Pasquarelli | @lonelyt00thpick
The Weak Days – “Magic 2: It’s Gone”
It’s been five years since the last time we heard from The Weak Days, but on their new single “Magic 2: It’s Gone,” thankfully, “it sounds the same as everything” before. The new song isn’t a retread of past hits—just a perfect reintroduction to the Michigan three-piece. It’s a theatrical take on emo-pop; lead vocalists Dustin Reinick and RB Roe each playing protagonists of the band’s upcoming LP The Magic’s Gone (the Bard and the Lamb, respectively). Close enough, welcome back Say Anything. For real, though, even after half a decade the magic clearly isn’t gone. Hopefully The Magic’s Gone lives up to the standard set by its lead single.
Zac Djamoos | @gr8whitebison
Lawn – God Made the Highway
Lawn’s God Made the Highway does something fun—the first few songs all feel like different bands. The New Orleans duo has range here (or maybe all their records hit like this—I’m excited to check out their older material), but I hope this is a record that keeps getting attention. “Barroom Wonder” reminded me of an old friend, and to feel familiar for something is all I could really ask from a song.
Ryleigh Wann | @wannderful
Ninth Cage – Sooner / Useless
Delaware’s Ninth Cage, featuring members of Year of the Knife and Execute, returns with two new tracks that capture the feeling of being undeserving of love. Compared to the band’s 2024 self-titled EP, the production on Sooner / Useless is noticeably more refined, giving their sound extra depth without sacrificing their raw energy. Lyrics like “you deserve something more than me / Something I won’t ever be / A bit useless and all I can say is I’m sorry” from “Useless” hit hard and resonate well with Madi Watkins’ tranquil vocals in addition to the somber riffs that accompany them. Their sound is reminiscent of Fleshwater combined with the dreamlike quality of Pity Sex, something that carves out its own spot in the alt rock scene. While you don’t get the same aggressive and monstrous music you get from their other bands, these new tracks highlight the musicians ability to move seamlessly to other genres, and I can’t wait to see what they do next.
Daniella Pasquarelli | @lonelyt00thpick
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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