Believe it or not, August is already here. Even though Halloween candy and decorations are hitting store shelves, the summer vibes abound in these recent alternative, indie, and metal releases. From Teenage Joans’ blink-182 meets Kesha-inspired new release, to Fox Lake’s “Real Fast,” a fiery hardcore x nu-metal offering, you’ll find the right track to set the mood this weekend.
Looking for even more new music? idobi Radio is the soundtrack of your summer. Download the free idobi App for new music every minute, every hour, every day. Did we mention it’s totally, 100%, always free?
Bones Shredder — “Sky Is Falling”
While Bones Shredder may sound like the name of a death metal band, don’t be fooled. This project from Randy Moore features face-melting classic rock sonics, grunge-laced guitars, and indie rock that might make you cry happy tears in the case of Moore’s latest release, “Sky Is Falling.” Of the track, the artist says, “The song is about that person whose presence makes you feel safe and understood – I hope everyone finds someone like that.” Additionally, the song dropped with a truly romantic and vampiric music video. Moore’s full debut album, Morbid Little Thing, is due September 19 via Sunken Teeth Records. — Maria Serra
Common People — “Thank You”
Produced by Cage The Elephant’s Brad Shultz, Los Angeles-based Common People is your next favorite indie rock act. The recent Big Loud Rock and Parallel Vision signees just launched their single, “Thank You,” featuring soothing vocals, thrilling guitar solos, and all-around good vibes. Common People bassist/vocalist Konrad Ulich shares, “The Parallel Vision team feels like family. From day one, they’ve believed in Common People, challenged us to reach our full potential, and given us the creative freedom to do so.” Stay tuned for more singles and news about their upcoming debut LP. — Maria Serra
Dead Eyes — “Black Hole Heart”
Dead Eyes have unleashed the title track from their forthcoming album, Black Hole Heart. The track serves as the first preview of the Maryland four-piece’s new album, which is due out on October 10 via Thriller Records. Of the new album, the band shares, “Some hearts beat. This one pulls. “Black Hole Heart” is a song we loved so much, we pushed ourselves to the edge trying to get it right; and it’s about that kind of love—the kind that consumes, that smothers, that burns too hot to hold onto. In that way, it became the perfect centerpiece for the album—because it nearly disappeared under the weight of how much making a great record meant to us.” —Paige Owens
Stain The Canvas — “Inevitable”
Italian metalcore five-piece Stain The Canvas erupts with their blistering new single, “Inevitable.” The track finds the band doubling down on their aggressive roots, fusing punishing breakdowns with glitch-laced electronics and razor-sharp production. Frontman Bryan Marte delivers a visceral vocal performance. “This is a song for everyone who’s been chasing their dreams for years and continue doing so, but sometimes feel like they’re going nowhere,” the band shares. “To those who struggle every single day, who sometimes feel like they’re falling apart but still find the strength to stand tall and keep pushing forward. It’s a reminder the never give up. Stay strong, keep grinding, and don’t stop until you make it.” —Paige Owens
20K Rio — “Burn After Reading”
20K Rio returns with their most revealing work yet—the Burn After Reading EP. Anchored by its title track, the 5-song collection plays like a diary, penned by frontman Tommy Lloyd, pulling from personal experiences. Drawing inspiration from artists like Panic! At The Disco and The Weeknd, the track “is a dark, thrilling love anthem about unwavering loyalty, even in the face of chaos. Inspired by a real-life letter tied to a notorious murder titled ‘Burn After Reading,’ the track blends intense emotion with cinematic storytelling,” according to the band. —Paige Owens
Fit For A King (feat. Alpha Wolf) — “Monolith”
One of the heaviest tracks off of Fit For A King’s brand new LP Lonely God, “Monolith” is bound to become an instant fan favorite. Sick breakdowns and riffs throughout, coupled with the best in the genre vocals from Ryan Kirby and a badass feature from their good friend Lochie of Alpha Wolf, this is an all-around standout track and must-listen for any metalcore fan. —Patrick Walford
Fox Lake — “Real Fast”
The perfect introduction to any new listeners of this explosive band, blending hardcore, hip-hop, nu-metal, and metalcore. “Real Fast” is 81 seconds of pure mosh straight from their new album New World Heat. Through this and 11 more undeniable bangers, one thing is clear: Fox Lake is about to become one of the biggest bands in heavy music. —Patrick Walford
Teenage Joans — “My Heart’s Dead!”
Teenage Joans, aka Australian duo Cahli Blakers and Tahlia Borg, blended two iconic influences in their new track “My Heart’s Dead!” They share, “We basically posed the question – what if Kesha made a song with blink-182? We really wanted to write a song where there are three main vocal hooks that repeat throughout the whole song and layer over each other at the end for a huge sing-along that people can easily pick up at our live shows.” Preceded by April’s “Sweet And Slow,” we hope to see much more from Teenage Joans in the coming months. — Maria Serra
John-Robert — “Other Side”
Freshly independent Edinburg, Virginia-based artist John-Robert has shared his new single, “Other Side,” his first offering since 2023’s Garden Snake EP. Following his move back home from Los Angeles, the artist discusses grief over mellow indie-folk strums and raw storytelling that’ll tug at your heartstrings. Plus, John-Robert digitized years of family footage to make this music video a sentimental masterpiece. The artist says, “My grandmother was in hospice care while I was living in Los Angeles, and I was getting updates on her condition from my mother over the phone. I thought about my mom and how she was losing her mother. I thought about how I’d feel losing my mother. I’m ashamed to say mom-mom and I weren’t extremely close. After her passing, I felt like I lost out on getting to know someone who heavily influenced and created my favorite person.”
He adds, “She was caring, kind, quick witted and smart. When you talked with her, you felt like the only person left on planet earth. Our last conversation, we shared an agreement that there should be no stigma around adults climbing trees.” So, whether you’re thinking about your lost loved ones or are currently grieving a still-living sick relative or friend, this song just might be the healing you need. — Maria Serra
Avralize — “Medicine”
One of the most unpredictable and exciting bands in metalcore right now, this hard-hitting German quartet has dropped another groovy, riffy banger. Avralize is a lot like a box of chocolates, you never know what each new song they’re going to give you, but it’s always fucking awesome. Check out their new song “Medicine.” —Patrick Walford
Dreamwake — “Daydream”
Not just “Daydream,” but Dreamwake’s entire new album, The Lost Years, is a jaw-dropping display of metalcore, synthwave, and saxophone combined with flawless songwriting. This is an album for the ages that feels timeless. A true innovation in alternative and heavy music. Go listen to it immediately. —Patrick Walford
Vicious Rain — “Spitting Blood Again”
One of the brightest up-and-coming metalcore bands in Europe right now, Vicious Rain’s “Spitting Blood Again” is a straight-up calling card for this band and a shining example of everything that makes them one of the most exciting new bands in the genre. With breakdowns and riffs that pack a punch, combined with having one of the best vocal duos in the genre right now, Vicious Rain will quickly become one of metalcore’s biggest bands. —Patrick Walford
Colorblind — “Neversleep”
Austin, TX’s Colorblind have returned with their latest offering, “Neversleep,” the gut-punch lead single from their upcoming EP Who Sold You This Truth, out September 12 via Solid State Records. Vocalist Travis Moseley explains the track is about “caring so much it wrecks you”—capturing the chaos of being left with nothing but overthinking and emotional static. He adds, “They leave, but you’re the one stuck with all the noise, the emptiness, the overthinking… and no matter what you do, you can’t turn it off.” As the band continues to gain attention, this EP is bound to be massive. —Paige Owens
senses — “tiptoeing”
Are we surprised that senses just dropped another banger for your summer playlist? Absolutely not. Are we beyond grateful for the shimmering and utterly relatable tune? Without a doubt. Duo Maddie Taylor and Nick Sampson share, “We love this song! Losing someone can be hard to grapple with, and winning them back can be even trickier. This song is about delicately inching your way back to someone while also wanting to scream from the mountaintops how bad you want them back in your life. It’s the sound of second chances!” Plus, senses are keeping the good vibes going into fall with their forthcoming EP, onto something, out on October 24, via Hopeless Records. Plus, don’t miss out on seeing them support the likes of Marianas Trench and The Summer Set this year. —Maria Serra
Inner Wave — “Madre”
Vibes on vibes on vibes is the best way to describe Inner Wave and their new offering, “Madre.” Frontman Pablo Sotelo says, “There’s a lot of letting go of things and embracing the uncomfortable—the unknown. We’ve all become more self-aware and mindful of others, leading us to make this record.” This marks a major return for the Cali-based quintet, who previously released their most recent track in 2021. It’s a welcome return, and we can’t wait to see what’s in store. —Maria Serra
Lorna Shore — “Prison Of Flesh”
The third single off their upcoming album, I Feel The Everblack Festering Within Me, this is nothing but 7 minutes of pure brutality and a shining example of why Lorna Shore are the undisputed kings of deathcore right now. Vocalist Will Ramos proves once again why he is put in the G.O.A.T. death metal vocalist conversation. An instrumental with solos and breakdowns that rival their viral hit, “To The Hellfire,” there is no question that this is Lorna Shore at their finest. —Patrick Walford
DRAIN — “Who’s Having Fun?”
A banger to end off the summer, Santa Cruz’s finest bring it with the new single, “Who’s Having Fun?,” from their upcoming album ….IS YOUR FRIEND. An upbeat instrumental that fuses both pop-punk and hardcore influences in an exciting way, coupled with a chorus that will have fans singing along from the very first listen, and when playing it live will provide dog piles bigger than an NFL goal line stand, simply put, DRAIN is one of the best hardcore bands in the entire world. Go out of your way to watch the touching music video in dedication to their drummer, Tim, who is currently battling cancer. —Patrick Walford
Radio Free Alice — “Chinese Restaurant”
This week is all about moving and grooving, and Australia’s Radio Free Alice are bringing top-notch vibes with their signature new wave and post-punk songs. Radio Free Alice just released their EP Empty Words, featuring “Chinese Restaurant.” Frontman Noah Learmonth shares, “The idea for ‘Chinese Restaurant’ came while touring the UK, surrounded by this overwhelming sense of living in the past. Every venue had a punny name nodding to some bygone legend, places like ‘EBGBS’ (a riff on CBGB) or ‘The Stoned Rose’. Driving around the UK in this tour van felt like wandering through the aftermath of a house party that was definitely over, but no one seemed capable of moving on from.” Learmonth continues, “The whole EP is in some way connected to this feeling that I’ve had my whole life. That the world’s this museum for the past we didn’t even live through.” —Maria Serra
Breakup Shoes — “Copacetic”
Looking for immaculate vibes for a chill weekend? Look no further than Breakup Shoes’ new song and accompanying short film, “Copacetic,” from their forthcoming album, Standing Still, due out October 10. Frontman Nick Zawisa notes, “‘Copacetic’ is a song about wishful thinking. It’s about imagining a world where my partner and I can escape all of the things that are holding us back and finally feel like we have everything we need, and it’s all gonna be okay. Which in today’s world, feels like something we could all use.”
Zawisa adds, “The song feels instantly nostalgic: dreamy synths, driving acoustic and bass, and twinkly guitar lines combine into something both familiar and novel. We tried to push our boundaries on this one and really explore new sounds while staying true to the sound we’ve crafted over the years.” —Maria Serra
The Devil Wears Prada — “Where The Flowers Never Grow”
The Devil Wears Prada is a generational band, and there is no further proof than the lead single for their newly announced album, Flowers, due out November 14, “Where The Flowers Never Grow.” Infectious symphonic synths, a catchy chorus, not one but two tasty breakdowns, along with being one of the most personal tracks lyrically of the band’s entire career. It’s clear that for more than two decades that TDWP has been gearing up to drop a career-defining album. Go out of your way to also check the incredible short film they released that also includes a second, equally awesome single, “Waves.” —Patrick Walford
