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.
Dinosaur Pile-Up – My Way
Having made their return last month ”Bout To Lose It’, Dinosaur Pile-Up announced the full return this week with a new album, ‘I’ve Been Better,’ set to be released this summer. Along with the announcement was ‘My Way’. A tale of taking ownership, refusing to give into rock star expectations, it sees the trio punch their way through the BS with an almighty alt-rock swing.
“I wrote “My Way” because I’m gonna do what I want, how I want, my way,” Dinosaur Pile-Up singer-guitarist Matt Bigland reflects. “I made peace with the fact that I’m never going to be recognised as ‘cool’, and that I will never be in the “what’s hot” of the rock scene, and that my talents as a songwriter will seemingly never be worthy of mainstream acclaim. As a younger artist, that still held some weight or value in my mind. But that’s OK. I will do my thing my way because I dig what I do. Doing my thing, my way.”
Besides being a straight-up banger, Bigland describes the track as a “crazy mix of an Eminem-type vibe with a big rock song that even has this kind of ‘Amish farm breakdown ‘ and a hardcore breakdown in the same song.”
It’s understandable why Matt has taken a carefree approach, having been through the wringer with a life-threatening illness in recent years. ‘I’ve Been Better’ started as a makeshift mantra for Bigland before being adopted as Dinosaur Pile-Up‘s album title. The album itself bravely explores themes of vulnerability, resilience, and love.
‘I’ve Been Better’ by Dinosaur Pile-Up is released on August 22nd on Mascot Records.
The Callous Daoboys – Distracted by The Mona Lisa
The Callous Daoboys continue to hype up their seemingly diverse ‘I Don’t Want to See You in Heaven’ album with another single. This time around, ‘Distracted by The Mona Lisa’ sees the Atlanta sextet serve up a solid slice of melodic hard rock. With its metallic guitars, energetic pacing, and bouncy rhythm, it’s one of ‘I Don’t Want…’s most infectious offerings so far.
Beyond the wall of distortion and Carson Pace’s heartfelt melodies, the track is considered to be a “love letter” to the band from Pace.
“There have been countless times in my life where I have felt married to my passion. It’s been detrimental, painful, and has forced me to sacrifice a normal life,” explains The Callous Daoboys‘ vocalist. “This song is me committing to being married to that passion, regardless of the consequences. It’s less a spit in the face of normality, and more a love letter to my own band.”
‘I Don’t Want to See You in Heaven’ by The Callous Daoboys is released on May 16th on MNRK Heavy.
Mouth Culture – Ratbag
Leicester trio Mouth Culture return with the scathing ‘Ratbag’. Produced by You Me At Six’s Max Helyer, it sees the rising three-piece take the template of 2010’s BritRock and reinvigorate it with a modern coat of paint. ‘Ratbag’ flourishes with a balanced mix of melody and spirit, taking aim at men who don’t take responsibility for their actions.
“Dripping in swagger, grit, and unapologetic attitude, this song is the soundtrack to male recklessness — an anthem for those left in its wake,” Mouth Culture explained. “Fast talk, quick exits, and a trail of burned bridges define the ones who run, dodge, and never face up — but the walls are closing in. This track serves as a raw and unfiltered callout, a middle finger to those who think they’ll never be caught. Beneath the bravado and chaos lies nothing but insecurity wrapped in arrogance — a boy masquerading as a man. Some will hear it as a warning, others as a mirror. If the shoe fits, wear it.”
Having supported Max’s now former bandmates on their recent farewell tour, Mouth Culture will be hitting up festivals such as The Great Escape, Slam Dunk, and Reading and Leeds this summer.
snake eyes – jar full of wasps
Back in February, snake eyes reemerged with ‘Hug Me’. Now the brighton-based “gritpop” duo have delivered a fuzzy delight in the form of ‘jar full of wasps’. Its jangly, playful demeanour maintains snake eyes knack for writing fizzy indie punk gems. As always, ‘jar full of wasps’ strips back all the fat, leaving us with a bouncy, and erm… buzzy, number.
Away from it being an addictive track, lyrically, it aims at surrounding yourself with the wrong crowd in your younger years. “It is a song about adolescence. about being young, dumb and a liability,” shared snake eyes. “it’s about the crap mates you used to have and a reminder to surround yourself with good people and to back yourself!”
Furthermore, to mark its release the band have teamed up with bee revival specialists, beevive, to released limited edition snake eyes bee revival vials. Considered to be the single’s “physical release,” the revival kit includes a digital download.
snake eyes have a headline UK tour planned for this June, along with more new music.
Love Rarely – Disappear
Last year, emerging outfit Love Rarely joined Big Scary Monsters Records, showing plenty of potential with a double single, ‘Mould/Whiplash’. The Leeds-based group has returned with a vulnerable track called ‘Disappear’. Maintaining their blend of alternative emo and math-rock, the cathartic number weaves in angular guitars alongside Courtney Levitt’s versatile voice. Underpinned by its raw ferociousness, ‘Disappear’ oozes with tenderness among Levitt’s piercing screams.
“’Disappear’ is about feeling shit about yourself and trying to come to terms with the fact that those feelings are right. When I’m saying things like “inside of me, you don’t even know, I’m crying on my own” in the verse and then in the chorus “you said I should disappear”, it’s like I’m trying to say that I’m having a hard time and you’re making it worse by cementing the fact that I’m feeling this way so it must be true.” says Love Rarely‘s Courtney Levitt. “It’s not really related to anything specifically in my life, but it’s something I’ve definitely experienced in the past, and when we came to record this song, it all just kind of came to me.”
Alongside a hometown headline show later this month, Love Rarely will be hitting up the Portals Festival, 2000trees, and ArcTanGent in the coming months. I have no doubt they’ll be picking up plenty of new admirers along the way.
The Prestige – Enfants Terribles
Parisian hardcore mob The Prestige serve up a battering on their new single, ‘Enfants Terribles.’ It’s the latest preview from the French group’s upcoming ‘Amer’ LP.
Showcasing the quartet’s proven ability to add atmosphere to their intense sound, ‘Enfants Terribles’ is a rallying call against materialism. Members from Birds In Row, As We Draw, Calvaiire, and Puzzle contribute vocals. Amid a towering wall of guitars, they enhance the chorus line of “This is the beauty of our loss, running in and out of gold. This is no harbour.”
Commenting on the unrelenting number and its lyrical theme, The Prestige‘s vocalist and guitarist Alex Diaz commented, “this song talks about the importance we give to objects, materialism in our relationships, and what we would actually do for the people we love.We often define our relationships through the things we share — what we own, what we give, what we hold onto. But at what point does that attachment to objects outweigh the connection itself? ‘Enfants Terribles’ questions that, exploring how far we would go and what we would sacrifice for the people who truly matter to us.”
‘Amer’ by The Prestige will be released on June 6th through Banshies.
Burnt Tapes – Mothersguilt
London-based punks Burnt Tapes are preparing to release their second album, ‘New Lungs,’ this summer, and to give fans a taster of what to expect, they’ve shared ‘Mothersguilt’. The two-minute cut punches through with perseverance as the quartet reflects on the weight of society’s expectations and not being able to meet them.
Originally formed in Athens, Greece, Burnt Tapes‘ sophomore record six years on from their debut, ‘Never Better’. It promises to pick up where they left off, with ‘Mothersguilt’ showcasing their emotional but melodically rich brand of punk. As always, their sound is rooted in sadness, regret, and nostalgia, yet energetically delivered.
“It’s been a long time since our first record, we’ve had a pandemic in between, and that kinda does things to a person,” says Phil G. of Burnt Tapes. “We wanted to push harder on all the good things about Never Better, but also bring something new to the table, and we’re excited to share this first single with everyone.”
‘New Lungs’ by Burnt Tapes is released on August 8th on Lockjaw Records (UK/EU) and Wiretap Records (US)
Sixth Wonder – Thorn
Scottish up-and-comers Sixth Wonder leave their mark with new single, ‘Thorn’. Compared to Spiritbox, the Glagow-based four-piece’s brand of alt-metal is ferocious and melodic, partly thanks to Rebekah Kirk’s vitriolic vocal delivery.
Aided by its fantastical cinematic undertone, ‘Thorn’ is a thrilling example of Sixth Wonder‘s self-styled “djent-pop”. The track’s thunderous rhythm section and searing guitar work accompany Kirk’s mix of soothing harmonies and guttural screams. Thematically, ‘Thorn’ is based on personal experiences of betrayal and bad relationships, capturing the mixed emotions and the aftermath.
“‘Thorn’ is about coming to the realisation that you are fighting against someone you thought was on your side,” Sixth Wonder shared. “It delves into the confusion of why they have chosen to betray you and reaches the destination of bitter acceptance, that they were never truly behind you from the beginning.”
Since forming in 2021, Sixth Wonder been winning over fans North of the border, including being named ‘Best Metal band’ at the 2023 Scottish Alternative Music Awards (SAMAs). They’ve also played shows with Dream State, Fearless Vampire Killers, and Future Static.
‘Newish Music’ Playlist
Hear 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.
As well as this week’s ‘Songs of the Week’, there have been over 60 new tracks added to the ‘Newish Music’ playlist. It includes new tracks from Ghost, mclusky, Turnstile, Spanish Love Songs, Skunk Anansie, Acres, and Snayx.
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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