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.
Heart Attack Man – The Gallows
With their fourth album, ‘Joyride The Pale Horse’, fast approaching, snappy Cleveland punks Heart Attack Man have shared another preview from it. ‘The Gallows’ is described by frontman Eric Egan as a tale of “triumphing over the darkness and despair of young adulthood”.
The track sees the trio saunter a gritty punk link that takes a celebratory turn. Heart Attack Man‘s crisp and wry lyrical wit and biting humor serves as its spine, and is elevated by its playful energy. Joined by drummer Adam Paduch and guitarist Ty Sickels, ‘The Gallows’ highlights Heart Attack Man‘s growing dynamism. Past single, ‘Laughing Without Smiling’, carried the same pop-punk energy yet in an angrier manner.
‘Joyride The Pale Horse’ by Heart Attack Man is released on April 25th on Many Hats Distribution.
mclusky – people person
Six years after reforming, Welsh post-hardcore punk mob mclusky are gearing up to release their first album in over 20 years. The latest cut from ‘the world is still here and so are we’ to be offered to the public is ‘people person’.
With its biting lyrics and angular riffs, Andrew Falkous’ observant words are sarcastic, admitting “I’m just a normal man / I’m not a people person.”. Backed by Jack Egglestone’s rugged drums and Damien Sayell’s pulsating bass lines, Falkous’ sludgy, doing guitars back the bleak demeaner of his vocals. While its video captures what happens when an intense office environment reaches its breaking point.
‘the world is still here and so are we’ by mclusky is released on May 9th on Ipecac Recordings.
Flycatcher – Dissolve
With comparisons to Jimmy Eat World and Microwave, and produced by Will Yip, there is a lot to like about ‘Dissolve’ by Flycatcher.
Hailing from New Jersey, the quartet have been harnessing their brand of anthemic indie emo rock since 2017. In that time, they’ve preserved playing whenever and wherever possible, ‘Dissolve’ sees them reflect their ascent from basement shows to bigger stages. “‘Dissolve’ is a reflection on the early days of our band and the compulsion to keep at it even when things didn’t seem to be going anywhere,” says Flycatcher vocalist/guitarist Gregory Pease.
Although it’s lyrically introspective, Flycatcher, completed by guitarist Justin VanNiekerk, bassist Jack Delle Cava, and drummer Connor Carmelengo, show an abundance of drive with an infectious track that has us wanting to hear more.
South Arcade – Supermodels
Oxford quartet South Arcade have been tagged by many as “ones to watch”. Their emergence over the past 18 months hasn’t gone unnoticed. 2024 saw them release a host of singles, leading to their ‘2005’ EP in December, and now they’re back with ‘Supermodels’. It proves to be a bubbly slice of pop-punk-infused rock, maintaining the Y2K aesthetic of past material.
Harmony Cavelle’s impressionable vocals are charismatic, and are backed by a vibrant, and energetic musical drive. “We wanted to push the limits of having a 2000s pop-punk accessible tune that then turns out to have the most obnoxious dance break in it,” said South Arcade. “We just wanna keep doing things our listeners won’t expect from us but at the same time referencing y2k aspects in true South Arcade fashion. We also just wanted to write another really fun track, especially with the lyrics on this one being so tongue in cheek.”
The release of ‘Supermodels’ coincides with a sold out show at London’s KOKO (Friday March 14th), and as they prepare to join Bilmuri on their UK/EU tour next week. It’s part of a busy period for South Arcade. US dates supporting Magnolia Park, appearances at the Slam Dunk Festival, and BBC Radio 1’s Big Weekend will conclude with a main stage spot at the Reading & Leeds Festival.
Slung – Thinking About It
Brighton-based quartet Slung only released their debut single, (‘Neurotic’) last September and have since then continued to preview material from their first full-length, ‘In Ways’. Their latest dynamic offering is ‘Thinking About It’. Described by vocalist Katie Oldham as written from the “perspective of a female lothario out on the prowl,” it’s a sultry alt-rock number that entices you with each listen.
Wrapped by a bubbling sonic tone, ‘Thinking About It’ unpeels itself with dramatic flair and hypnotic, sharp riffs. Lyrically, it’s another example of Oldham’s lived in songwriting. It allows her to bring references of queerness to Slung. Underneath the confident lothario demeanour is a girl experiencing what Katie calls “bisexual panic”. ‘Thinking About It’ allows her to take on a “flamboyant alter ego” yet she’s filled with doubt. “The theme is also pretty representative of bisexual panic, meeting a girl and realising you’re thinking about it, and wondering if she’s thinking about it too,” she explains.
Through honest lyricism and a versatile sound that embraces stoner rock riffs, as well as Oldham’s vocal range, ‘In Ways’ could be appealing come its release in May.
‘In Ways’ by Slung is released on May 2nd on Fat Dracula.
Florida Man – The House
Carrying the same energy we’ve come to hear from the likes of Drug Church and Militarie Gun, Florida Man have shared their new track – ‘The House’. Hailing from Charleston, South Carolina, the post-hardcore quartet serve up a rigged yet bouncy track. Led by Jim O’Connor’s wry vocal bouts centering around the ongoing saga of a deadbeat recent divorcee, it’s a raw, punchy offering that sees Florida Man lean into their punk and hardcore roots.
While it comfortably utilises maniacal vocals and razor-sharp guitars, there are experimental hints. It’s something that upcoming album, ‘Plastique,’ promises. Returning after a five-year hiatus, the nine-track full-length sees moments such as the snarling ‘Dot Gov’ expand Florida Man‘s sound. ‘The House’s start/stop rhythm melts away to allow Jonathan Peace’s colourful percussion and Andrew Barnes’ entrancing guitar to take over.
‘Plastique by Florida Man is released on April 4th on The Ghost Is Clear Records.
The Young Hearts – Steady Hands
Kent four-piece The Young Hearts have been kicking about for the best part of over a decade. Although they’ve never quite had a “breakthrough” moment, they have soldiered on with their brand of heartland punk. It’s a mindset that is explored on ‘Steady Hands’.
Lifted from their forthcoming ‘The Good, The Bad, The Rest Of Us’ EP, ‘Steady Hands’ thrives with energy and perseverance. Tonally reminiscent of The Gaslight Anthem, The Menzingers, and Cold Years, the track soars with passion and an explosive chorus that is satisfying to hear.
Although thematically honing in on the band’s persistence, it also sees them share their frustration being an independent band can be in the music industry. “This industry is unforgiving, and if you don’t play the game you’ll more than likely get left behind, but that’s never really been us,” The Young Hearts explained. Nevertheless, ‘Steady Hands’ is a credit to determination, flourishing with its anthemic might.
‘The Good, The Bad, The Rest Of Us’ by The Young Hearts is released on June 21st.
Himalayas – Surrender
Cardiff rockers Himalayas continue to show their flair for producing anthemic rock with their new single – ‘Surrender’. As we all being the latest taster of their upcoming second album, ‘Bad Star,’ it maintains the quartet’s evolution from the indie rock base heard on.2023’s ‘From Here To. Hell’.
‘Surrender’ struts with a swaggering tempo before bursting into a towering chorus, taking cues from Royal Blood, Queens of the Stone Age, and Foo Fighters. “We wanted to create something heavy and in your face while keeping it interesting and allowing the music to keep moving forward,” says Himalayas‘s guitarist and songwriter Mike Griffiths. Without a doubt, they’ve pulled that off by delivering an intense, gripping, and bold number.
‘Bad Star’ by Himalayas on April 25th on Nettwerk Music Group
Reckoner – ifailme
Reckoner released their debut EP last year, ‘I Am What You Will Become.‘ It saw them thrive off an immediate mix of melodic metalcore and post-hardcore. However, on their new single, ‘ifailme’, it sees the Midlands outfit push themselves into new, cinematic territory. The use of slick production and a slow-burning pacing allows vocalist Phil Sparks’ raw and emotional vocals to build with intensity.
At its lyrical core is the theme of being weighed down by self-loathing. Lines such as “All my friends are strong, I’ll never be like them,” strike a relatable chord to anyone plagued by self-doubt. However, the combination of ‘ifailme’s tempo and lyrical rawness pays off to a musical and emotional release. For Sparks and the rest of Reckoner, they consider the track to be “an anthem for anyone who’s ever felt overwhelmed by their own failures”.
Indecent Behavior – Shoot
More often than not, pop-punk is seen as relatively playful. However, that’s not what Germany’s Indecent Behavior do on new single, ‘Shoot’. Sure, the bombastic pop-punk hooks remain, yet it’s combined with a gritty and heavy approach. It’s a fitting mix due to its bleak lyricism.
Thriving with energy and despair, it sees the quartet explore the brutal reality of violence. Serving as an anti-war song, it questions the purpose of conflict. “We are confronted with war every day,” says Indecent Behavior singer Henrik Bergmann. “We hear stories of heroes and victors, glory and honour. But are there any winners in war? While bombs and gunfire fall, people lose everything – their homes, their families, their memories. Nothing but destruction is left behind, while hopes sink into the dust. And all because people find themselves on opposite sides – not by their own choice, but simply because they were born in a different place.”
Ultimately, ‘Shoot’ paints an all too real picture of struggle and strife, musically combining with a punchy and aggressive mix of pop-punk and metalcore.
Cut Short – Dirt Feed
Liverpudlian metalcore group Cut Short displays an unrelenting side as they return with ‘Dirt Feed’. Flexing with groove-driven riffs, heavy breakdowns and melodic moments, the quintet serve up a steely and chaotic number. Described by the band as “a critique of greed, deceit, and the erosion of humanity in the face of self-interest,” ‘Dirt Feed’ is a rage-filled onslaught that brews in the shadows.
Much like previous single, ‘Speech Patterns,’ Cut Short continue to thrive in the darkness with a hefty metallic bite. Elevated by chugging guitars and gang vocals, ‘Dirt Feed’ is unapologetic and emotionally-charged.
Despite being together since 2018, Cut Short‘s discography is scattered with stand-alone singles. However, ‘Dirt Feed’ is the sound of a cohesive band, united in their energetic, metallic charge towards bigger things
You can listen all of this week’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.
Here is every track added over the past week.
The ‘Newish Music’ playlist is also available on Apple Music.
Have a song to consider for a future edition of ‘Already Heard Recommends? Tell us about it here.
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