#NewMusicFriday: April 4th 2025

Did you manage to listen to all of last week’s releases? Yeah, probably not! But life goes on, so here’s your weekly #NewMusicFriday goodness.

My first recommendation of the week is ‘Are We All Angels’ by Scowl. With last week’s Deafheaven release being one of my favourite releases of the year so far, the second full-length from Scowl is joining that growing list. You can read my full review of it here.

The other two featured releases this week come from Air Drawn Dagger and Thornhill. The former release their debut album, ‘A Guide For Apparitions’, today. It sees the Sheffield three-piece continue to show promise. Whereas, the latter, ‘Bodies’, sees the Aussie outfit produce an aesthetically pleasing brand of alt-metal. Have a read of my thoughts on these below.

Further afield, Scottish metallers Bleed From Within drop their seventh album, ‘Zenith’. The ridiculously named Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs return another array of psych rock/sludge numbers with ‘Death Hilarious.’ Finnish upstarts Luna Kills mark their arrival with ‘DEATHMATCH,’ showcasing their rapid and melodic brand of nu-metal. South Carolina’s Florida Man presents an intriguing hybrid mix of hardcore punk and noise rock, with electronic experimentation on ‘PLASTIQUE.’ 

There’s also the return of art-rock/indie group Black Country, New Road. Meanwhile, Meshuggah give us the The Indelible Edition’ of their 2020 album – ‘Immutable’. You can find new releases from feminist theatre-punks Twat Union, New England mod-punks Perennial, and more.

Scowl – Are We All Angels

In hardcore circles, Scowl have been touted for big things ever since emerging out of the Bay Area. Their 2021 debut full-length, ‘How Flowers Grow, ‘ was a rampant 10-track onslaught of Californian hardcore in 15 rage-filled minutes. However, there were hints of a band willing to incorporate melodies. Their 2023 ‘Psychic Dance Routine’ EP saw them explore this further, leaning into alt-rock traits yet retaining their hardcore bite. Being a band with a rising profile comes with expectations, and as they release their second album, ‘Are We All Angels,’ they’re at an all-time high. However, the Santa Cruz quintet have knocked it out of the park.

For starters, those previous steps into melodic territory pay off in an abundance. Vocalist Kat Moss delivers hooks that live rent-free in your head for days. Opening track, ‘Special’s, has a scratchy start that breaks into a radiant chorus. ‘Fantasy’ floats against Bailey Lupo’s grungy bass and guitarist Malachi Greene and Michael Bifolco’s power chords. While there’s a playfulness to Moss’ delivery on ‘Let You Down,’ despite her self-deprecating words. Later on, ‘Suffer The Fool (How High Are You?)’ twists around her (slight) mononous delivery. However, it’s complemented by a solid alt-rock sound, yet Scowl‘s growing musical scope will surely be a gripe for longtime admirers.

Read the full review here.

Air Drawn Dagger – A Guide For Apparitions

Sheffield trio Air Drawn Dagger may not have the biggest amount of hype behind them, yet they’re used to be underdogs. Until gaining traction with 2023’s ‘Songs To Fight Gods To‘ EP, the three-piece had been slogging it out as a DIY band. In that time, they’ve honed in on a favourable brand emo/alt-rock with electro and pop-punk traces. Debut album, ‘A Guide For Apparitions’, sees a concept of macabre mysticism embedded into their energetic sound.

‘Sanctifound’ is a pulsating opener that weaves in supernatural imagery against a high-octane musical backdrop, introducing us “The Martyrs” that appear throughout. Undeniably, Air Drawn Dagger far from reinvent the melodic emo-rock rulebook, yet tracks such as ‘Sweatin’, ‘Bellyaches’, and ‘Castle’ have a magnetic quality. In short, they lean into the trio’s ability to deliver big, favourable hooks.

There’s confidence in their ability to blend genres and styles, even if not everything lands. ‘Teeth’ steps into hip-hop territory with electro beats. Wrapping itself in the aforementioned mystic tone, it surges into a pretty formulaic rock number. However, when it does work, Air Drawn Dagger prosper. ‘Apparitions’ features a cameo from Trash Boat’s Tobi Duncan. It’s bold and densely delivered with Ross Dore’s sharp drum work and Lewis Budden’s heavy guitars. Furthermore, ADD wear their influences with pride. ‘Cadavers’ is tonally reminiscent of ‘Three Cheers for Sweet Revenge’-era My Chemical Romance. ‘Castle’ is carried with an infectious, bouncy chant and paired with trance-like synths and sharp guitars.

Conceptually, ‘A Guide For Apparitions’ demands repeated listens as its narrative isn’t obvious at first. Yet with some patience, you’re taken on a cryptic journey full of witches, demons, tarot cards, and deceit. It’s often crossed with Maisie Manterfield’s introspective words (see ‘Necromancer’ and ‘Coma’), adding a vulnerable tone to ‘A Guide For Apparitions” narrative. This is emphasised on the aforementioned ‘Sweatin” as its chorus revolves around the line of “I was never meant to be here”. 

Air Drawn Dagger continue to show promise, even if the conceptual ambitions slightly exceed their ability. ‘A Guide For Apparitions’ contains enough musical substance to avoid this Yorkshire three-piece from getting lost in the shuffle.

Thornhill – Bodies

When Thornhill first emerged with 2019’s ‘The Dark Pool’, they were lumped with just being the latest in a long line of Australian metalcore bands. Since then, they’ve moulded themselves into a darker, alt-metal unit that sees their third album, ‘Bodies’, being described as a “bold evolution”.

Undoubtedly, there’s a steely progressive feel to these 11 tracks. Whether that’s on ‘DIESEL’s mix of industrious chugs and cinematic undertone, ‘Only Ever You’s enticing melodies, or the Deftones-tinted blasts of ‘TONGUES’ and ‘Obsession’. Thornhill‘s delivery is relentless and often slickly executed. Take ‘Silver Swarm’, for example. It pounces with a djent-like force, seguing into tranquil synths. Whereas ‘Revolver’s lullaby intro erupts with penetrative drum work and rigid, whirlwind guitars, before vocalist Jacob Charlton’s provides a charismatic delivery.

Their palette is broad and mostly consistent, with the atmospheric sultry sounds of ‘CRUSH’ being the exception. In contrast, ‘Bodes’‘ closer, ‘For Now’, glistens in its pacing, providing a melancholy tone. With shoegaze waves clashing with serene, melodic blasts, it provides a satisfying finale.

Overall, ‘Bodies’ is musically coherent and fulfills the promise of evolving Thornhill‘s sound. It results in the Melbourne outfit firmly planting their flag in the ground of alt-metal. They bathe in the shadows of Deftones, while stylistically being on par with the likes of Moodring and Loathe. ‘Bodies’ might not elevate Thornhill yet ensures their longevity.

What is out on #NewMusicFriday?

Scowl – Are We All Angels
Bleed From Within – Zenith
Thornhill – Bodies
Air Drawn Dagger – A Guide For Apparitions
Black Country, New Road – Forever Howlong
Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs – Death Hilarious
Florida Man – PLASTIQUE
Luna Kills – Deathmatch
Meshuggah – Immutable – The Indelible Edition
Record Setter – Evoke Invoke
Mannequin Death Squad – Wise And Dangerous
Amplifier – Gargantuan
Perennial – Perennial ’65
Twat Union – Don’t Look It In The Eye
Ash Twin Project – Tales Of A Dying Sun
Tómarúm – Beyond Obsidian Euphoria
Florist – Jellywish
The Summit Fever – The Summit Fever
Glare – Sunset Funeral
Real Beaut – Politics
Bart and the Brats / Jacket Burner – Good Cop / Bad Cop
Benediction – Ravage Of Empires
Debt Neglector – Kinda Rips
Drew Thomas – Watershed
Fugue State – In the Lurch
Buried Realm – The Dormant Darkness
Kiritsis – Kiritsis
Knox – Going, Going, Gone
Seven – Interdimensional, Act III: Shadows In The Sky
Rear Window – Happiness By Design
Sundowner – Work Dream
LEAVE. – The Cost Of Compromise
Commoner – Change Of Heart
Behind Crimson Eyes – An Exodus From Eden

If you think I’ve missed something or have a new album/EP/song to tell us about, tell us about it here.

If you’re looking for the latest tracks focusing on rock, punk, hardcore, metal, emo, and everything in between, then check out our ‘Newish Music’ playlist on Spotify or Apple Music.