A quick selection of recent rock and alt-rock releases we’ve been spending time with, spanning albums, EPs, and singles from across the genre.
Bad Light – Mortal Wounds
EP || 8 May 2026 || Alternative Rock, Shoegaze, Grungegaze || United States
A tight five-song EP with no filler and a ton of guitar weight. Highly recommended if atmospheric alt-rock and heavier shoegaze are your thing.
Playlist Companion: Heavy Shoegaze & Grungegaze
Klimt 1918 – Dream Core
Single (via Prophecy Productions) || 17 March 2026 || Shoegaze, Indie Rock, Post-Rock || Italy
“Dream Core” is a fitting title for Klimt 1918’s return single. The first taste of their upcoming album Àmor, due June 12, it’s hazy, expansive, and full of the bittersweet atmosphere at the heart of their sound.
Playlist Companion: Shoegaze & Dream Pop
Hikes – Winnower
Album (via Halo Halo Records) || 20 March 2026 || Chamber Folk, Math Rock, Midwest Emo || United States
Genre-mashing done right: folky textures, emo heart, twinkly math-rock guitars, and zero sense that it’s trying too hard. Beautiful stuff.
Playlist Companions: Math Rock & Mathy Indie / Prog | Emo-flavored Indie Rock & Midwest Emo
Ape Amp – Ape Amp
EP (via Flippin Freaks Records) || 24 April 2026 || Noise Rock, Grunge, Post-Hardcore || France
A remarkable debut from two Russian musicians who fled Russia in 2022. If you’re into oppressive, bass-sick noise-sludge, don’t sleep on this one.
Playlist Companion: Noise Rock & Heavy Punk / Post-Punk
Chalk Hands – The Line That Shapes The Coast Of Us
Album (via Dog Knights Productions) || 27 March 2026 || Post-Hardcore, Screamo, Post-Rock || United Kingdom
When it comes to screamo/post-hardcore with post-rock dynamics, Chalk Hands have been one of my go-to bands. This album once again scratches that itch beautifully, balancing delicate passages with the kind of catharsis they do so well.
Playlist Companion: Atmospheric Post-Hardcore & Screamo
Plini – An Unnameable Desire
Album || 24 April 2026 || Progressive Rock, Math Rock, Jazz Fusion || Australia
Plini doing what he does best: technical enough to melt your brain a little, melodic and breezy enough that you just float through it.
Playlist Companion: Jazzy Prog Rock Instrumentals
Tradition – Blush
Single (via Mean World Records) || 14 April 2026 || Pop Punk, Alternative Rock, Post-Hardcore || United States
“Blush” hits that sweet spot I’m always looking for in this stuff: melodic, emotionally charged, and just rough enough around the edges.
Playlist Companion: Melodic Post-Hardcore, Pop Punk & Emo
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