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, and live sets. Check back each Monday to see what we were jamming the week prior.
forty winks – Love Is a Dog from Hell
forty winks’ debut EP Love Is a Dog from Hell is even better than the singles suggested. The noise pop quartet turn in one of the catchiest songs of the year so far with the off-kilter fuzz jam “commie bf,” building off the promise of the pre-release single “noise” that closes the EP, and opener “liadfh” turns squalls of feedback into beautiful melodies.
Zac Djamoos | @gr8whitebison
Return Address – “Out of Spite”
Return Address have only gone to darker places since Fault of Introspection. On the band’s new single “Out of Spite,” they get heavier than ever, leaning into their post-hardcore influences as the song’s second verse dives deep into the bowels off hell. “It doesn’t bend,” Chris Ponder sings after a throat-searing screamed verse, “it breaks,” and Return Address sound like they’re on the verge of collapse.
Zac Djamoos | @gr8whitebison
usamimi – 世界が終わるとしたら
Japanese duo usamimi strip dream pop down to bare essentials on their new EP 世界が終わるとしたら. The four songs here are spare and airy, unhurried and lush.
Zac Djamoos | @gr8whitebison
Altersense – “Moonlight”
Altersense is one of the best bands in pop rock today. Their 2024 album Just Fine displayed their ability to deliver airtight hooks alongside flashy guitar work, and on their new single “Moonlight” they tone down the riffs but amp up the catchiness.
Zac Djamoos | @gr8whitebison
Crowquill – Crowquill
Crowquill pull from early Converge and early Vein on their debut self-titled EP, turning in some of the gnarliest metalcore of 2025. The Coming Strife’s been on a real tear this year, but Crowquill might be the label’s best release since xSERAPHx’s Demo back in February; “Ecorche” borders on mathcore in its frenetic switchups, and even the cleans in “The Family Faucet” feel punishing.
Zac Djamoos | @gr8whitebison
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.
The Alternative is 100% supported by our readers. If you’d like to help us write about more great music and keep our site going, you can become a Patron on Patreon, which also allows you to receive extra content, sweet perks, and The Alternative merch, with levels starting at only $2 per month. Everything helps, and if you can’t afford to donate, consider sharing this article and spreading the word about our site! And if you want The Alternative delivered straight to your inbox every month, sign up for our free newsletter. Either way, thanks for reading!