Each week, we cut through the noise to bring you quick takes on the latest releases you need to hear. This week’s roundup of new tracks, must-know artists, and what’s out now includes:
Burnt Tapes, Clinton Kane, Darko, Famous Strangers, Heartwells, Lot Lizards, MUTT, Night’s Edge, Panther Revival, Sunbendr, The Chesterfield Kings.
Want more? Dive into our latest reviews, interviews, videos, music news, artists to discover, and don’t miss our constantly updated Spotify playlist packed with our picks.
Burnt Tapes – “You Only YOLO Once”
London punks Burnt Tapes flip the party anthem on its head with “You Only YOLO Once.” By turning personal struggles into a cathartic call to live fiercely despite mental challenges, the track injects high-energy punk with raw honesty about battling anxiety and depression. The song’s punchy rhythms and catchy hooks make it an anthem that one can both scream along to and relate with on a deeper level. It’s a refreshing blend of urgency and dark humor that invites one to confront hardship head-on while still wanting to move.
Clinton Kane – “Heartbeat For A Home”
Clinton Kane delivers a tender yet powerful new single that feels both intimate and expansive. Built around delicate guitar and piano, the song’s strength lies in Clinton’s heartfelt vocal interplay with Swedish artist Elina, creating a soaring dialogue that holds genuine emotional weight without ever feeling overwrought. The track captures a complex and bittersweet moment of youthful longing and reflection and showcases Clinton’s growth as a songwriter who knows how to convey raw feeling with subtlety and grace.
Darko – “Canvas”
Darko’s “Canvas” is a sharp and energetic burst of melodic hardcore with a conscience. The band’s intense riffs and relentless pacing drive a fierce tribute to the unsung DIY promoters who keep punk alive and thriving. The track balances aggression with anthemic hooks and dynamic shifts by delivering both fire and thoughtfulness. It’s a vivid reminder of the scene’s grassroots roots, made even more potent by the band’s willingness to push boundaries musically and lyrically.
Famous Strangers – “L.S.C.”
Ahead of their festival appearances this summer, Edmonton’s Famous Strangers unleash “L.S.C.”. The track builds slowly before crashing into heavy and relentless riffs that grab you and don’t let go. Guitarist Jeff Kittilitz describes it as intense and personal by exploring themes of power, obsession, and survival with a raw and unhinged energy. Famous Strangers embrace unpredictability by shifting between crushing heaviness and laid-back bluesy moments and fearlessly push genre boundaries with their songwriting.
Heartwells – “Piss ’n Gums”
“Piss ’n Gums” is a track that mixes Southern California punk grit with a sense of mischievous fun. is ’ Years in the making, the driving riff underpins the single take vocals and adds immediacy and authenticity. The song’s approach to life’s struggles as something to endure and even enjoy adds an unexpected layer of attitude. It’s a fast, brash release of pent-up frustration that manages to feel both personal and raucous.
Lot Lizards – “Broken Parts”
With “Broken Parts,” Lot Lizards combine melodic punk with heartfelt urgency by delivering a tribute to personal loss that never feels weighed down by its subject. The song’s interplay between driving rhythms and earnest vocals creates a powerful contrast that pulls one in. The band’s knack for balancing catchy hooks with genuine emotional weight shines here, making the track both an anthem of resilience and a heartfelt confession.
M.U.T.T. – “Toughest Street In Town”
M.U.T.T. deliver a no-frills and snarling punk blast with “Toughest Street In Town,” by capturing the grit and swagger of their San Francisco roots. The track’s stripped-down and raw sound emphasises sharp hooks and relentless drive by channeling a streetwise toughness that feels both urgent and lived-in. It’s punk rock stripped to its essentials. Loud, fast, and unapologetically rooted in the city’s chaotic spirit.
Night’s Edge – “Smite”
Baltimore’s Night’s Edge are back with “Smite,” the third single from their upcoming fourth album The World That Never Was (Aug 21st). The track is a dark mid-tempo crusher that perfectly balances brutality and groove. It throws in unpredictable twists, Latin choir layers, and soaring synths, making it as much a headbang anthem as a dancefloor invitation. Vocalist Brian Haran said the vibe was to satisfy both the pit’s chaos and the sidelines’ dance moves and they nailed it. (pictured)
Panther Revival – “Unreliable Narrator”
Panther Revival’s “Unreliable Narrator” stands as a fierce political statement wrapped in hardcore punk urgency. The band’s sharp riffs and aggressive rhythms amplify a direct critique of the forces reshaping history’s narrative. The track’s relentless energy and biting lyricism make it impossible to ignore, positioning the band as a vital voice calling out injustice with uncompromising conviction.
Sunbendr – “Stick Up”
Creating a track pulsing with urgency, San Diego’s Sunbendr fuse alt-rock grit with melodic tension on “Stick Up”. The dual vocals add layers of conflict and urgency, while the driving bass and sharp guitar lines push the song forward with a sense of controlled chaos. Synth elements introduce an unexpected texture that enhances the track’s atmosphere without overwhelming its core rock energy, resulting in a balanced yet compelling listen.
The Chesterfield Kings – “Your Strange Love”
The Chesterfield Kings deliver a vibrant burst of psychedelic-tinged garage rock on “Your Strange Love.” The collaboration with Steven Van Zandt shines through in the song’s textured arrangements and vintage spirit. The gritty guitar tones and melodic hooks pay homage to classic rock’s roots while maintaining a fresh and lively edge. Its flip side, a rare Beatles cover, further underscores the band’s deep connection to rock history and their enduring passion for crafting timeless tunes.
