If It's Too Loud...

Next week sees the release of a new album from Boston's The Sheila Divine, but this week the band lets us hear another single from that album. "Life is Fragile" is exactly what we want from these guys in 2026. It has all of the alt-rock punch of classic Sheila Divine, but with a darker sensibility. Also, with all of Aaron Perrino's musical projects now under the same band name, that allows for more of an almost dance feel with this one. There might not be the same screaming vocals as 1999's New Parade , but "Life is Fragile" is just as much of an anthem as anything of that album. The Sheila Divine have long been one of Boston's finest and most underrated, and we can't wait for The Middle Ages next week. You can listen to "Life is Fragile" below. The Middle Ages is due out May 22, and is available for pre-order through Bandcamp . For more on The Sheila Divine, check out the band on Instagram and Facebook . They'll be playing Brighto...

Photo by Audrey Hertel Criteria, the new project from Stephen Pedersen (formerly of Cursive), have a new single out before their debut album is released next week. "I am the End" is an energetic if mid-tempo indie rock track with the type of guitar solos usually reserved for metal or prog rock, but certainly not indie. It's an anthem practically begging to be yelled out at a live show, even if the track is about ending something. "I am the End" is an undeniably catchy song bordering on emo or pop punk. Put on your pogoing shoes and crank this one up. Jeff Pedersen says of his band's upcoming album: "These songs feel like alchemy under pressure — love as the undertow, empathy as survival, and seizing the moment as it seizes you.” You can watch the video for "I am the End" below. SEIZE! is due out May 22 on Spartan Records, and is available for pre-order here . For more on Criteria, check out the band on Instagram and Facebook .

Photo by Danielle Head It used to be easy to describe new music from Pokey LaFarge. He always had a vintage folk/Americana style, and while that's true of his latest single, it's hard to put "Rent Money" in a tidy little box. The song still has a great vintage folk/Americana style, but it branches out into so many styles within that umbrella. LaFarge is including some early rock and roll, some funk, some soul, and maybe even a little ska into "Rent Money." He's always included plenty of groove in all of his music, but this might have his strongest groove to date. LaFarge went from being a pure folk revivalist, and has now modified that into a sound that's all his own. Pokey LaFarge says of his latest single: “‘Rent Money’ is a little bit more of a tougher tune, but it’s not going to totally bum you out. It’s just a classic country blues song. The good lord giveth and Uncle Sam taketh away.” You can watch the video for "Rent Money" below. Th...

Photo by Ben Moon I think what I enjoy the most about Modest Mouse is that their career feels like a natural progression over the past thirty or so years. Sure, a new song like "Third Side of the Moon" may not be as boisterous as the songs on 1996's  This is a Long Drive for Someone with Nothing to Think About , but it sounds like what the band that made that album should sound like in 2026. This new song is more restrained and mellow/mature, but we all (hopefully) are, as well. Plus, "Third Side of the Moon" gets much noisier than most bands of Modest Mouse's stature get these days. The song has that same darkness and venom that made us all love Isaac Brock's songs decades ago.  You can watch the video for "Third Side of the Moon" below. An Eraser and A Maze is due out June 5 on Glacial Pace Recordings/Virgin Music Group, and is available for pre-order here . For more on Modest Mouse, check out the band's website . Upcoming tour dates are ...

Photo by Jason Hill Pacific Northwest based band Orquestra Pacifico Tropical have released the title track off their upcoming album, and this one is truly great. They've been mixing cumbia with psychedelia, and while "El Poder" is no exception to that, it starts off sounding much more cumbia than psychedelic. The track lasts four and a half minutes, but feels much more epic than that. It immediately demands that you start moving with its infectious rhythm, but as the song goes on, the psychedelic elements start inching their way in. Eventually that side of Orquestra Pacifico Tropical's sound takes over, but the cumbia rhythms stay intact. "El Poder" will instantly grab you, and is going to require multiple listens while we wait for the release of El Poder. Orquestra Pacifico Tropical says of their new single: "Writing the title track 'El Poder,' we had this feeling of when one witnesses something so powerful, whether it's a movement, persona...

Photo by  Guðm Kristinn Jonsson Iceland's Arny Margret is following up her excellent 2025 album I Miss You, I Do  with a brand new single. "In a Dream" is a warm and lush track that edges right up to the mainstream world of singer-songwriters while keeping a fresh and unique sound that is all Margret. As with any of Margret's releases, this latest single isn't redefining singer-songwriter or folk music, but she is perfecting it. I feel like every song or album she puts out seems the one that will launch her into superstardom, and this is no exception for that. When an artist is as compelling as Margret with such gigantic crossover potential, it's just a matter of time. There's no gatekeeping an artist this fantastic, and so deserved of being the next big thing. Arny Margret says of her latest single: “I wrote this song on New Year’s Eve, just sitting in my room with my cat while fireworks were going off outside. It’s mostly about me wanting to become the w...

Photo by Sofia Seguar Costa Rica's Las Robertas have a brand new single out, and it's a glorious example of both modern and retro psychedelia. "All We Need Is Now" has its roots in early 1960's psychedelic garage rock while injecting it with 1990's style alt-rock. The result is a driving and fun track with just enough edge to keep it interesting. It's 1960's keyboards with 1990's guitar, all in a swirling, psychedelic rock track. Your musical preference will decide what era "All We Need Is Now" is most indebted to. Whichever way you prefer your psych garage rock, Las Robertas are quickly becoming a favorite of ours, and you're going to want to check them out. You can watch the video for "All We Need Is Now" below. The album All We Need Is Now  is due out June 26 on Kanine Records and Spinda Records, and is available for pre-order here . For more on Las Robertas, check out the band on Instagram and Facebook .

Photo by Alfonso "JP" Gomez Thee Sinseers have quickly become one of our favorite neo-soul groups, so we're thrilled that they just released a new single. "Did Ya Know?" is everything we love about the band. It's smooth and classic soul and R&B. It's the kind of song that could have come out any time in the last sixty or so years, with only the production making it sound modern. "Did Ya Know?" can be genuinely listened to and enjoyed by every generation of your family. Thee Sinseers have a perfectly vintage sound, and are bringing that to the young and old alike. You can listen to "Did Ya Know?" below. Love Stories is due out September 18 on Colemine Records. For more on Thee Sinseers, check out the band on Instagram and Facebook . Upcoming tour dates are below the song. 23 Sept - Utrecht, NL - Pandora 24 Sept - Groningen, NL - Oosterpoort 25 Sept - Rotterdam, NL - BIRD 26 Sept - Amsterdam, NL - Tolhuistuin 27 Sept - Antwerp, BE ...