If It's Too Loud...

Photo by Levi Price Slothrust continues to be great. Their latest single, "Ring the Bell," is a perfect example of what they do. It's mainstream alt-rock that borders (or crosses the border into) pop music. But they always do it in a way that keeps the indie snobs happy. This latest single is catchy, it's heavy and melodic, and it's about as danceable as rock music can get. As always with a Slothrust song, there can be debate as to if they're truly rock or more pop music, but when a song is this great, does it really matter? "Ring the Bell" shows one of the most underrated bands out there today at their peak. You're all gonna end up loving this one. Leah Wellbaum and Will Godin say of their latest single: " We really want people to take away a message from this album of self-liberation amidst the flickers of seemingly inescapable dread.  Despite the permeating blue light of the external world, it is still possible to find your freedom and id...

Photo by Levi Price Slothrust are fantastic at making giant alt-rock songs, and their latest single is no exception. "Burn the Deck" is a monster rock song with a little sprinkling of pop. It's also oddly theatrical, which is kind of Slothrust's secret weapon. The song is driving and filled with tension. Instead of loud/quiet/loud, it's more rock/pop/rock. Vocalist Leah Wellbaum has never sounded better than she does in "Burn the Deck," and her vocals are what is going to fully pull you in. This is a great song from a band I always feel like we were late to discover, but we're fully on board for now. Leah Wellbaum and Will Gorin say of their new single: “‘ Burn the Deck’ is a song encouraging people to dismantle the current systems keeping them in a cage of their own making.  It’s a surrealist disruptor's anthem that beckons listeners to carefully consider what they are consuming and challenge their notion of who is really driving." You can ...

Photo by Annette Rodriguez "Cool Guy," the latest single from New York City post-hardcore legends Quicksand," is meant to be a diss track. The song has a softer side than their 90's classic tracks, but it's still pure Quicksand. The band is more melodic, but still packs a punch and allows for more experimentation and creativity. "Cool Guy" is a monster of a new song, clocking in at a hardcore friendly two minutes. Quicksand may have slowed down a bit in the past thirty years, but there songs pack just as much venom as they always have, if not more. Quicksand says of their latest single: "’Cool Guy’ is like an OG HC diss track, like ‘Small Man, Big Mouth’ by Minor Threat or ‘Hypocrite’ by Negative Approach.  Sometimes you just gotta get those negative emotions out." You can watch the video for "Cool Guy" below. Bring on the Psychics is due out July 17 on Equal Vision Records, and is available for pre-order here . For more on Quicksand...

Photo by Annette Rodriguez New York post-hardcore veterans Quicksand are back with a new single off their upcoming album. "Crystallize" is everything I want in a Quicksand song in 2026. There is the same amount of noise and aggression as their iconic 90's releases, just a little extra maturity. It's as if maturity has sharpened the band's sound and made it more vital. It doesn't sound as if they've changed their sound to match what's going on in the indie rock and punk worlds now, but more like the rest of the world finally caught up to them. Somehow Quicksand sound more current in 2026 than they did in 1993. There aren't many bands you can say that about. Quicksand says about their latest single: "’Crystallize’ opens a new lane for us.  Post-punk self-actualization-core meets 1960s Batman fight scene.”   You can watch the video for "Crystallize" below. Bring on the Psychics is due out July 17 on Equal Vision Records. For more on Qui...

Photo by John Carluccio El Paso, TX alt-rock legends Sparta have a new single out, and this is a great one. "Everything You Say" is exactly as epic as you expect a song from Sparta to be. The song starts out quite melodic and beautiful, with a pop element, and is bordering on being dance friendly. Then the chorus kicks in, and "Everything You Say" becomes a monster of a song begging to be screamed along to at festivals. The song ends up being noisier than expected while still keeping the melodies intact. And it's still somewhat dance friendly the entire way through. Sparta have always been a great rock band, and they've stealthily gotten even better over the years. Frontman Jim Ward says of his band's new single: “ The music for this was brought in by Matt [Miller] to the earliest writing sessions at my house in El Paso, tweaked in a hotel room in Oklahoma City and played at a soundcheck that night.  It is one of those songs that takes shape early and no...

Photo by Annette Rodriguez Post-hardcore veterans  Quicksand are back with their first new music in five years. "Get to It" shows that the Walter Schreifels led band are showing no sign of slowing down. It's every bit as heavy and aggressive as their music in the 90's, just with a bit more melody. The guitars still sound like buzzsaws, and it makes me wish I was young enough to mosh and crowdsurf. "Get to It" could be mistaken for a lost b-side of theirs, and maybe it's just me but I'm hearing hints of Schreifels' more emo/indie rock band Rival Schools. Buckle up and crank this one. Walter Schreifels says of his new singles: "It’s tough to talk about your own music and what it means, not only because I sometimes don’t understand it myself but in a way it robs the listener of their own interpretation. So if you don’t want that, read no further. Otherwise, with 'Get To It' and 'Regenerate', we wanted to do something high-energy...

Photo by John Carluccio Alt-rock/post-hardcore legends Sparta are back with a new single off an upcoming album. If you love Sparta, you're going to love "Crater." It's an epic rock track with jerky, buzzing guitars and a huge scream-along worthy chorus. Despite sounding like pure, vintage Sparta, "Crater" doesn't sound like a 00's throwback. It shows a natural progression for the band, and is exactly what you want them to sound like in 2026. It's a tiny step slower and more mature, but aren't we all at this point? Sparta are the rare band from their generation that will have you excited for a new album, as "Crater" stands up with all of your favorites from them. Frontman Jim Ward says of his upcoming album: “This is a love record.  I want it to leave an impression, and at this point in my career, that's what I yearn for. I'm working so hard to make something meaningful to me, and I really want people to get a chance to feel ...