Content Breakdown
Skindred – You Got This
State Champs – (For The) Hell Of It
Ben Quad – Very Big In Sheboygan
Textures – At the Edge of Winter
Mallavora – Waste
I Promised The World – Bliss in 7 Languages
The Scratch – Pull Like a Dog
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Newish Music Playlist Update
Every week, our inbox is flooded with new singles from across the alternative scene, and while we’d love to highlight them all, there’s simply too much great music to keep up with. That’s where Already Heard Recommends: Songs of the Week comes in. We sift through the latest releases to bring you a handpicked selection of the standout tracks you need to hear.
Whether it’s rock, punk, emo, hardcore, metal, or something in between, we cut through the noise and bring you the songs that deserve your attention.
Skindred – You Got This
By now, Skindred don’t need an introduction. The Welsh ragga metal mob have become a powerhouse in UK metal, constantly delivering feel-good, mosh-ready anthems. As they launch their ninth album, ‘You Got This,’ they’ve dropped its title track.
Inspired by vocalist Benji Webbe witnessing a recovering stroke victim be told “You got this,” by their personal trailer, and seeing the instant effect it had. “I was watching from a distance, and I could see the struggle and the pain, but in that moment, I knew he had got this,” recalls Benji. “It’s such an empowering statement, and it applies to so many battles that everybody faces: it could be a recovery from a stroke, or it could be studying for your exams at school. For me, having songs that lift people who are going through tough times is the most important thing. I feel like that’s what I’m put on this planet to do.”
The track is a pulsating blast of positivity. Webbe’s distinct ragga tongue bounces alongside Mikey Demus’ crunching riffs and Arya Goggin’s punching drum work. With encouraging words of self-belief, Webbe brilliantly plays the role of a charismatic personal motivator.
‘You Got This’ by Skindred is released on April 17th, 2026 on Earache Records.
State Champs – (For The) Hell Of It
State Champs have continuously proven they can deliver earworm choruses; it’s exactly what they did last year with ‘Hell Of It’ on their self-titled album. However, as they prepare for UK dates with Don Broco next month, and celebrate the 10th anniversary of ‘Around The World And Back’next year, they’ve decided to reimagine ‘Hell Of It’.
Titled ‘(For The) Hell Of It,’ it strips back the track with tender piano keys, atmospheric drums, and Derek DiScanio’s smooth vocals. While Saxl Rose brings a succulent saxophone to the table, adding a rich finale. And yes, that anthemic swing of “We’re staying up all night, all night, Just to see what you like, you like” continues to be infectious.
Ben Quad – Very Big In Sheboygan
As they get closer by the day to the release of their new album, ‘Wisher,’ “post-emo” group Ben Quad have shared another teaser in the form of ‘Very Big In Sheboygan. ‘ Although the Oklahoma quartet’s sound is rooted in Midwest Emo, ‘Very Big In Sheboygan’ leans towards pop-punk territory with synth leads and glitch-y guitars.
Furthermore, it lyrically departs from the themes of grief, loss, and existential insecurity, opting to show desire for someone miles away. “This song is based on the period of my life when I would drive up 7 hours every couple of weeks to make a long-distance relationship work with my partner. Despite the obstacles of living so far apart from each other, the happiness I felt seeing this person made the long drives worth it,” says guitarist Edgar Viveros. “It feels good to put out a proper love song. We’re leaning into a poppier lane for sure on this one, but there’s also so much energy and deliberation that we put into the instrumentals, I think anyone, not just the lovebirds, will enjoy it.”
Ben Quad‘s upcoming Pure Noise debut full-length, ‘Wisher,’ comes off the back of building some unexpected momentum with their first album, ‘I’m Scared That’s All There Is’. As well as joining Pure Noise, they’ve shared stages with Hot Mulligan and Knuckle Puck, and have been heralded as “the next big thing in emo (and screamo)” by Uproxx.
‘Wisher‘ by Ben Quad is released on November 14th on Pure Noise Records.
Textures – At the Edge of Winter
As they prepare to release their first album in a decade (‘Genotype‘), Dutch prog metal specialists Textures return in fine form with ‘At the Edge of Winter’. Aided by guest vocals from Charlotte Wessels (ex-Delain), the cinematic track is an intricate example of Textures‘ ability.
The mix of polyrhythmic grooves, sharp riffs, and atmospheric synth keys is topped by Daniël de Jongh and Wessels’ soaring vocals. If anything, it’s an instant reminder of Textures‘ powerful prog metal prowess.
As for ‘Genotype,’ it’s considered to be “a rebirth” for the sextet, serving as a conceptual counterpart 2016’s ‘Phenotype’. Embracing themes of introspection, it is set to “speak to the unheard” while “standing as an ode to authenticity and resilience.”
With the album arriving in January, they’ll be touring with Jinjer and Unprocessed in the UK mere days after its release.
‘Genotype’ by Textures is released on 23rd January on Kscope.
Mallavora – Waste
After delivering the fiery ‘Smile’ in September, Mallavora have returned to deliver another infectious alt-metal banger in ‘Waste’.
Jessica Douek follows up her recent cameo on ‘Celebrity Traitors’ (as part of the banshee challenge) to deliver another incredible performance. She’s backed a dense unit that bites with drilling metal guitars and a riveting rhythm section. While lyrically, it continues Mallavora‘s trend of writing confrontational and outspoken songs on issues that matter to them.
“We had fun with ‘Waste’ and experimenting with its contrasting tones,” Mallavora shared. “The track confronts misogyny and the impossible expectations placed on women. It’s scathing, sharp, and almost gleeful in its indictment of this pervasive societal sickness.”
The release of ‘Waste’ comes as Mallavora prepare to deliver their debut album next March via Church Road Records. The record promises to provide ferocious riffs with hints of soul and R&B, as well as weaving in Douek’s Jewish-Middle Eastern roots. Thematically, the band describe the record as “a conceptual exploration of sickness – personal and societal”. Without a doubt, Mallavora continues to be a band on the rise.
‘What If Better Never Comes?’ by Mallavora is released on March 27th, 2026 on Church Road Records.
I Promised The World – Bliss in 7 Languages
Meet Texas metalcore newcomers, I Promised The World. They’re the latest name to join Rise Records, and from hearing their new single, ‘Bliss in 7 Languages,’ they sound like the perfect fit.
Just from hearing their sound (or watching their video), I Promised The World stir up memories of 2000s screamo/post-hardcore bands with hints of early Funeral For A Friend, Killswitch Engage, and Alexisonfire. It allows the young Texans to deliver a raw, crushing brand of metalcore rooted in grief and celebration.
Although they formed only two years ago, I Promised The World‘s roots lie in vocalist/guitarist Caleb Molina losing his father in 2020 due to COVID. Alongside vocalist Hunter Wilson, drummer Mason Zschau, guitarist Mason Nowlin and bassist Aidan Vickers, Molina has lyrically shaped IPTW to express his grief. However, as they prepare to release a self-titled EP in the New Year, its five tracks promise to include a tone of defiance and celebration.
“It’s an unreal feeling to be signed to Rise, a label that has history with many of the bands that have inspired us along the way,” commented I Promised The World. “We hope this record connects to both old and new listeners by giving nostalgia and an improved version of our sound.”
‘I Promised The World’ by I Promised The World is released on January 16th, 2026 on Rise Records.
The Scratch – Pull Like a Dog
Once upon a time, the members of The Scratch were involved in a metal band called Red Enemy. While the quartet started The Scratch with an acoustic-heavy sound, they’ve increasingly expanded their sound with elements of hip-hop, rock, and electronic. Now, as The Scratch prepare to release their third album, they’ve unleashed its title track – ‘Pull Like a Dog’.
With its galloping tempo and screeching, razor-sharp guitars, it’s a roaring statement of intent, while maintaining their roots in Irish folk. Lyrically, it sees vocalist Daniel Lango celebrate the notion of seizing the moment, without pleasing people. “It’s about tossing aside the idea of apologising for merely existing or hoping that if I keep colouring inside the lines I’ll get what I think I deserve,” says Lango. “Mocking myself a bit but also getting the blood going so I’ll grab life by the scruff and be loud about it”.
‘Pull Like a Dog’ by The Scratch is released on March 13th, 2026 on Music For Nations / Sony Music Ireland.
Newish Music Playlist Update
There has been over 70 tracks added to our ‘Newish Music’ playlist. It includes fresh songs from New Found Glory, Jimmy Eat World, Volumes, Four Year Strong, Mariachi El Bronx, Greywind, HEALTH, Nothing, Lølø, Goldfinger, These New South Whales, Into It. Over It., Normandie, Future Static, and Honey Revenge.
For homegrown UK talent, there is music from recognisable names such as As It Is, Marmozets, As Everything Unfolds, and Urne. You can also hear tracks from emerging names such as Scottish sister duo Bratakus, Northern headbangers Rituals, as well as Black Coast, Harpy, Hidden Youth, and Black Orchid Empire.
| Adjustments – Yr New Shoes Afterdrive – Necklace Ando San – Thick Neck As Everything Unfolds – WHAT YOU WANTED As It Is – Wherever You Will Go Ben Quad – Very Big In Sheboygan Black Coast – Overflow Black Orchid Empire – The Labyrinth Bratakus – Turnstile Brusic – This Is The Way Calling All Captains – Blood For Blood Civil Service – Turn Out The Light Conquer Divide – The Ocean Between Us Death Angel – Cult Of The Used Enquire Within – Doomsday Profit Evergrey – Oxygen Four Year Strong – Whiplash Fourth Heaven – Priestess Future Static – There’s Nowhere Else To Go Goldfinger – Chasing Amy Greywind – Make Believe (L.O.V.E. ME) Happydaze – falling again Harpy – Call Me Mommy HEALTH – You Died Hell Comes Home – Numb The Noise Hidden Mothers – Defanged (601 Remix) |
Hidden Youth – Promises Hit The Lights – Bleach Away Honey Revenge – Poison Apple Baby I Promised The World – Bliss in 7 Languages Into It. Over It. – Hypernormalisation Jimmy Eat World – Failure Korpiklaani – Got The Time Lapéche – I Heart NY Leon Knight – Yes I Do (feat .DE’WAYNE) Life Aquatic Band – Stuck In The Mud Lølø – me with no shirt on Loose Articles – Marseille Manchester (In The Area) Lord of the Lost – Would You Walk With Me Through Hell (feat. Infected Rain) Lovely Colours – Out There Mallavora – Waste Mariachi El Bronx – Forgive & Forget Marmozets – A Kiss From A Mother Millionaires – P.P.G. (Professional Party Girl) Mylo Bybee – The Machone Myrath – Until The End New Found Glory – Treat Yourself Normandie – Sellout Nothing – Cannibal World Pinknoise – Talk Talk Raven Numan – In This Twilight |
Rituals – Hope In Hatred Ronker – No Sweat Royal Republic – Go West Saltwound – Apparition (feat. Great American Ghost) Save Us – Zero Saving Vice – Straw Dogs The Scratch – Pull Like a Dog Silent Child – Don’t Six Going On Seven – Jack Jones Skindred – You Got This The Smashing Pumpkins – Here Is No Why (Live In Los Angeles, 2/4/96) SOEN – Mercenary Sprints – Pieces State Champs – (For The) Hell Of It Struck/Down – Leach Tailgunner – Midnight Blitz Textures – At the Edge of Winter These New South Whales – Big Machine TX2 – The Rain Urne – The Spirit, Alive vegas water taxi – ozempic venues – Echoes Vienna Vienna – Idle Hands Volumes – S.O.A.P. Whitney – Evangeline Who On Earth – Jane |
The ‘Newish Music’ playlist is also available on Apple Music.
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