Alternative Press

Welcome to AP A-sides, where we’re highlighting the very best songs from the past week. Every Friday, the AP editors will wade through the daunting number of tracks released daily, narrow down their favorites, and give them to you in one playlist. Because the definition of alternative is constantly in flux, there are no rigid parameters to our selections — just tracks we’re obsessively talking about and listening to on repeat. This week’s playlist features artists diverse in genre but singular i

The Army, the Navy have announced their debut album, Fake Brave Life, out June 12 via Independent Co. The album explores the emotional toll of chasing a dream and taking risks despite having doubts.  “Pretty, Pink and Soft,” the second single following “Walls,” is about the conflict between loving and resenting someone after being disappointed. “At a certain point, even the most patient people become fed up,” the band say. “There’s only so much weaponized incompetence one can handle. Do I lea

“The early screamo bands are special because they didn’t have preexisting bands to try and sound like,” Knumears guitarist/vocalist Matthew Cole says. “They were screaming because they needed to, not because it was cool.” For their debut album, Directions, the SoCal trio took that blueprint and ran with it, using the desire for release to fuel their work. Recorded by Jack Shirley (Deafheaven, Gouge Away), Knumears build out an entire world of metallic, highly emotional screamo that destroys b

Arlo Parks has released her new album, Ambiguous Desire. The 12-song LP, which was produced by Baird (BROCKHAMPTON, Kevin Abstract) and features Sampha, focuses on desire as a powerful, driving force that fuels human connection, while also being complex and unpredictable.  “I danced more than ever as I made this record, I made more friends than ever too, found myself in the weird underbelly of New York juke nights, unleashed, laughed and laughed and laughed,” Park says. “This record has desir

Bo Lueders, guitarist of Harm’s Way and co-host of the HardLore podcast, has died. The announcement of his passing was posted earlier today (April 2) on social media, shared by the band and the podcast. “It is with heavy, broken hearts that we share that our beloved Bo Lueders has passed away,” the statement reads. “He will be remembered for his unwavering empathy and compassion for his friends & family and his magnetic, inimitable presence on & off the stage. We kindly ask for grace

It’s hard to believe that all of our favorite albums from 2001 will be turning 25 this year. 2001 started off strong enough. In the spring, Alkaline Trio unleashed a blast of gothic punk with From Here to Infirmary, and Weezer’s Green Album turned back to the sunny power pop of their debut. In the summer, the Strokes’ Is This It took over the rock landscape, playing out of every corner in NYC and helping to jumpstart a new era. By the time the colder months hit, Converge, Death Cab for Cutie, an

Deb Never has released “all the time” from her upcoming album, ARCADE. The final preview of the LP is an emotional ballad that explores the strain of feeling a strong connection with someone far away — and how distance and time apart can create uncertainty. “In my daily life, I’m not a very vulnerable person,” Never said about the making of the LP during AP’s In Session podcast. “But I think that’s why it’s important for me to be honest with what I’m making. I make it for me because I need so

Sunday, March 29th, X JAPAN bandleader and noteworthy composer Yoshiki gave 130,000 global racing fans something to remember, with his performance of “Kimigayo”, the Japanese national anthem, at the start of the 2026 FIA Formula 1 World Championship Series Aramco Japanese Grand Prix Race at the Suzuka Circuit. Celebrated as “one of the most influential composers in Japanese history”, Yoshiki brought his blend of classical technique and hard rock drumming to the track, delivering a unique take

On Sunday (March 29), X Japan bandleader and noteworthy composer Yoshiki gave 130,000 global racing fans something to remember, with his performance of “Kimigayo,” the Japanese national anthem, at the start of the 2026 FIA Formula 1 World Championship Series Aramco Japanese Grand Prix Race at the Suzuka Circuit. Celebrated as “one of the most influential composers in Japanese history,” Yoshiki brought his blend of classical technique and hard-rock drumming to the track, delivering a unique ta

Alternative Press teamed up with Static Dress for an exclusive vinyl and cassette of injury episode, limited to 200 vinyl and 50 cassettes. Head to the AP Shop to grab yours. Static Dress have announced their new album, injury episode, out May 29 via Sumerian Records. injury episode was teased last night in front of a group of fans during a screening of their self-directed short film, where no phones were allowed to “cut out the noise and let the art speak.” The album is a critique of soci

Alternative Press teamed up with Joyce Manor for exclusive vinyl of I Used to Go to This Bar, limited to 500 copies. Head to the AP Shop to grab yours. On the latest episode of AltPress: In Session, we’re connecting with Joyce Manor for a powerful conversation about growth and memory. Since emerging with their self-titled album in 2011, Joyce Manor have become experts at bottling apathy, drunken nights, and messy love into songs that rarely exceed two minutes. Their fast, me

Ecca Vandal has announced her new album, LOOKING FOR PEOPLE TO UNFOLLOW, out May 22 via Loma Vista Recordings. The full-length follows a massive year of opening for Deftones, Limp Bizkit, and Pierce the Veil.  “The systems, the trends, the illusions of connection,” Vandal says. “I find empowerment in being loud and noisy, especially as a woman in this global moment who grew up in a culture that told me I could not be those things.” Read more: Ecca Vandal finds her flow “SORRY! CRASH!” i

New album releases and announcements are constant, and keeping track of them all can be difficult. Now with our regularly updated release guide, you won’t have to. April is another good month for alternative music, featuring releases from Death Lens, Foo Fighters, Arlo Parks, the Maine, Sofia Isella, Teen Suicide, Friko, and more. See which albums are coming out this month below. Read more: 30 essential alternative albums turning 20 in 2026 April 3 Arlo Parks – Ambiguous Desire (Transgr

Seattle’s Bumbershoot Arts & Music Festival has announced its 2026 lineup. The 53rd edition, which will run from Sept. 5-6 at Seattle Center, will include a headline set from Turnstile and Death Cab for Cutie, following the release of their new album, I Built You A Tower. The lineup’s also rounded out by Japanese Breakfast, Blood Orange, Bikini Kill, Die Spitz, XCOMM, Yves Tumor, Orville Peck, Joey Valence & Brae, Sudan Archives, Sextile, Peaches, and more. Read more: If Yves Tumor

Lambrini Girls have released their new single, “Cult Of Celebrity,” a takedown of society’s obsession with celebrities and the elite.  “The age-old tale of selling your soul to the devil has been fabled accounts of high society for years,” the band say. “However, due to recent events come to light, it turns out that the elite are very much actually the devil incarnate, baby-eating, pedos. What a fucking surprise! They had no souls to sell in the first place.” Read more: The Lambrini Girls

More Artist Friendly is on the way. Following conversations with Chris Robinson of the Black Crowes, 2 Chainz, and Lionel Richie, Marc Roberge of O.A.R. will join Joel Madden on the latest episode of the series. O.A.R. have a massive year ahead, preparing a new album (which they recently teased with the single “Three Tinted Windows”) and celebrating 30 years together. Before their touring season starts up, the vocalist/guitarist stopped by the Artist Friendly studio for a powerful conversatio

Last week, while on tour in Baltimore, Haywire covered Trapped Under Ice’s 2011 track “Pleased to Meet You.”  “It’s very important when you become a band and you come to other people’s cities that built this scene, you pay homage to them,” vocalist Austin Sparkman said. “Tonight, that’s what we’re going to do.” Read more: Drain want you to embrace the past, present, and future of hardcore The bands on the tour, which also include Drain, Secret World, and No Pressure, have been paying ho

Alternative Press teamed up with Basement for exclusive vinyl of Wired, limited to 300. Head to the AP Shop to grab yours. Basement have released “The Way I Feel,” the latest preview from their upcoming album, Wired.  “‘The Way I Feel’ is about standing on the edge of a really important decision, right before you make it,” vocalist Andrew Fisher explains. “Constantly questioning whether you have the courage to stand up for yourself and fight your side, while at the same time begging for fo

Welcome to AP A-sides, where we’re highlighting the very best songs from the past week. Every Friday, the AP editors will wade through the daunting number of tracks released daily, narrow down their favorites, and give them to you in one playlist. Because the definition of alternative is constantly in flux, there are no rigid parameters to our selections — just tracks we’re obsessively talking about and listening to on repeat. This week’s playlist features artists diverse in genre but singular i

After having a major 2025 with the release of God Save The Gun, Militarie Gun treated the NPR staff to a Tiny Desk Concert.  On “Throw Me Away,” Military Gun nod to Third Eye Blind with an interpolation of “Graduate,” then launch into “Don’t Pick Up The Phone” from 2022’s All Roads Lead To The Gun. “For anyone who doesn’t know Militarie Gun, we primarily write songs for drug addicts and people who grew up around drug addicts,” vocalist Ian Shelton told the Tiny Desk audience.  Re