Every week our inbox is packed with new singles, and as much as we’d love to give them all the spotlight, there’s just too much good music. So that’s why we’re launching Already Heard Recommends: Songs of the Week
Already Heard Recommends: Songs of the Week is your go-to roundup of the best new tracks from the alternative scene. Each week, we cut through the noise to bring you a curated selection of must-hear songs spanning rock, punk, emo, hardcore, and more.
Architects x House of Protection – Brain Dead
Just when we thought Architects were done with previewing their new album, they went and dropped this banger. ‘Brain Dead’ sees them teaming up with House of Protection, bringing a chaotic hardcore punk stomp to Architects‘ biting metalcore sound. It’s a crushing and explosive number that tears through in a razor-sharp manner.
‘The Sky, The Earth & All Between’ by Architects is out now on Epitaph.
Employed To Serve – Fallen Star
Over the past decade or so, we’ve seen Employed To Serve as frantic hardcore newcomers to one of UK metal’s leading names. This spring sees them return with ‘Fallen Star’. Having previously released ‘Atonement’ with Lorna Shore‘s Will Ramos, the London-based outfit have now shared the album’s title track.
‘Fallen Star’ proves to be a thrilling tour-de-force of melodic metal. Led by Justine Jones’ screams and guitarist Sammy Urwin’s shining melodies, it’s a grandoise slice of riveting metalcore that shows ETS‘ clear ambitions.
‘Fallen Star’ by Employed To Serve is released on April 25th on Spinefarm Records.
Hot Milk – 90 Seconds To Midnight
Manchester’s Hot Milk kick off a new chapter in a raucous manner with ’90 Seconds To Midnight’.
The track serves as a sharp, angst-ridden taster of their upcoming second album (‘Corporation P.O.P’). Super charged with astute riffs and the compelling duel vocals of Han Mee and Jim Shaw, it’s an enthralling foray of brazen rock.
“The doomsday clock is nearing midnight and this frantic song sets the mood for the oncoming nuclear winter,” states Han Mee. “We wanted to punch you proper in the face with this, this balls to the wall little riffy boy comes bounding at you relentlessly.”
Without a doubt, ’90 Seconds To Midnight’, leaves a mark. And yes that is the Frank Skinner in the video.
‘Corporation P.O.P’ by Hot Milk is released on June 27th on Music For Nations.
Lake Malice – Scatterbrain
Brighton duo Lake Malice return with intent as ‘Scatterbrain’ is a metallic hyperpop blast. With its hypnotic chant of “Spin, wash, repeat, mind, soul, body, neat,” Alice Guala and Blake Cornwall explore the feeling of disillusionment of modern day living.
It is accompanied by an eye-catching video which sees Guala as an overwhelmed 1950s housewife who goes demonic. ‘Scatterbrain’s release comes as the pair head out on tour with RØRY and As December Falls next week, before numerous festival spots this summer (including Slam Dunk, 2000Trees and RADAR).
Air Drawn Dagger – Sanctifound
The rising Sheffield trio continue to preview their upcoming debut album, ‘A Guide For Apparitions’, with ‘Sanctifound’. It sees the ever-energetic Air Drawn Dagger deliver a pulsating blast of electro-induced emo/alt-rock.
While lyrically it introduces us to the album’s protagonists ‘The Martyrs’, Air Drawn Dagger‘s execution is defiant, leaving us wanting to hear more from their forthcoming full-length.
‘A Guide For Apparitions’ by Air Drawn Dagger is released on April 4th on Long Branch Records.
Magnolia Park – Worship
The ever-versatile Magnolia Park rope in dark-pop star Plvtinum, and New Zealand singer Vana on ‘Worship’. The latest single from ‘VAMP’ is a brooding blend of trap beats and menacing metalcore. Its overall tone is dark and sinister, teasing ‘VAMP’s fictional world of Nocturne Nexus.
The inclusion of Plvtinum and Vana pays off, adding to ‘Worship’s gritty verses and soaring chorus.
‘VAMP’ by Magnolia Park is released on April 11th on Epitaph.
Ecca Vandal – Cruising to Self Soothe
As she prepares to share UK arenas with Limp Bizkit, Ecca Vandal provides a satisfying track with ‘Cruising to Self Soothe’.
The Australian-based (via South Africa) artist drops an infectious mix of soulful punk with a raw, grungy undertone, utilising a sharp hook along the way. Lyrically, the track is about “cultivating your inner strength when navigating life on your own, even when it feels a bit isolating,” says Ecca Vandal.
Undoubtedly, ‘Cruising to Self Soothe’ flourishes with confidence, and we’re all here for it.
Great Grandpa – Ladybug
Great Grandpa keep surprising us as they prepare to release ‘Patience, Moonbeam’ at the end of this month. ‘Ladybug’ is a succulently acid trip of indie folk with electronic flourishes. It has a woozy charm with an underpinned richness amongst the group harmonies, twinkling acoustics, and playful execution.
The band are on point, commenting on the track; “It’s always these small fickle, fleeting moments we’re seeking that can never be bottled or sustained. What good luck does the ladybug bring? We scream together for those shared seconds of unadulterated joy. We’ll feel ok when it comes back again right?”
‘Patience, Moonbeam’ by Great Grandpa is released on March 28th on Run For Cover Records.
Sometime In February – Phantom Sea
Led by guitarist Tristan Auman, ‘Phantom Sea’ is the latest track from instrumental progressive metallers Sometime In February. On it Auman’s fretboard wizardry is complemented by drummer Scott Barber and bassist Morgan Johnson’s rumbling density.
Based out of North Carolina, Sometime In February are preparing to release their debut album, ‘Where Mountains Hide’, later this month. It promises to be an intricate and colourful collection of prog metal. You can also catch them at the ArcTanGent Festival this summer.
‘Where Mountains Hide’ by Sometime In February is released on March 21st on InsideOutMusic/Sony Music.
Kusanagi – Polymorph
Cited as “For Fans Of: Mogwai and Animals As Leaders”, Liverpool’s Kusanagi have been creating their brand of instrumental post-rock since 2011. Now as they prepare to release their third album (‘Paramnesia’) this Spring, the quartet have shared ‘Polymorph’.
With its dizzying, hypnotic build, Kusanagi draw you with ‘Polymorph’s assured instrumentation. Embracing math rock and synth wave, the track weaves the listener through one of the many “abstract dreams” that Paramnesia’ promises to deliver. Consider us intrigued, and waiting to hear more.
‘Paramnesia’ Kusanagi is released on May 30th on Ricord Records
False Heads – Loose
East London rock trio False Heads explore the self-delusion and struggles of substance and alcohol abuse on ‘Loose’. With its grungy spine, ‘Loose’ is an explosive splash of Brit alt-rock ignited by Luke Griffiths’ spiky riffs and Charlie Gregory’s penetrative drums.
The track is lifted off False Heads‘ ‘Cracked’ EP. Due for release later this month, it sees the three-piece work with producer Adrian Bushby (Muse, Foo Fighters, U2, Placebo). With a working-class ethos, False Heads‘ return with determination, not to be beaten down by industry politics.
‘Cracked’ by False Heads is released on March 28th on No Fret Records.
Hear all of this weeks’s choices and more through our ‘Newish Music’ playlist. Consisting of the latest rock, punk, hardcore, metal, emo, and everything in between, it’s your go-to playlist for new music.
Have a song to consider for a future edition of ‘Already Heard Recommends? Tell us about it here.
