A new year always brings a clean slate. January 2026 is already proving that artists are wasting no time setting the tone. From fresh beginnings to bold sonic shifts, these releases highlight the best new alternative, metal, rock, and indie songs arriving right now.
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Youth Fountain — “Dearly Beloved”
Youth Fountain has shared “Dearly Beloved,” a stripped-back and emotionally resonant follow-up to their 2025 single “Tarnish,” continuing the lead-up to an eagerly awaited new album expected to drop in 2026. Led by Tyler Zanon, the track reimagines “Tarnish” in its most vulnerable form, pulling the song back to its emotional roots and letting themes of love, grief, and growth breathe. It’s a quiet but powerful reminder of Youth Fountain’s ability to make intimacy hit just as hard as catharsis. —Paige Owens
Stephen Sanchez – “Sweet Love”
Stephen Sanchez, iconic for his song, “Until I Found You,” is back with a new love ballad for your romance playlists, “Sweet Love.” Sanchez shares, “‘Sweet Love’ really encapsulates the beautiful parts of love, and the active choice we have to make, to love one another every day. I was inspired by my grandparents’ relationship while writing the song and it was so special to have them star in the video.” — Maria Serra
Claire Rosinkranz — “Chronic”
Claire Rosinkranz closes the chapter on her My Lover rollout with “Chronic,” a stripped-back and emotionally heavy final preview of her sophomore album. The song unfolds slowly, leaning into restraint rather than release, as Rosinkranz captures the frustration of living in a body that won’t cooperate and the strange familiarity of emotional stagnation. —Paige Owens
Girl Scout — “Operator”
Girl Scout returns with “Operator,” a punchy, tongue-in-cheek power-pop ripper and the latest preview of their upcoming album Brink, leaning fully into crunchy riffs and playful chaos. “It’s really just a dumb song, isn’t it?” adds Girl Scout’s Emma Jansson about the track. “A dumb guitar riff, dumb lyrics and a dumb beat, and we love it just the way it is. I have no idea where the inspiration behind the lyrics came from, I have no relationship to switchboard operators and they haven’t been around since before I was born. But wouldn’t it be fun if they were still around and they sounded really hot over the phone?” — Paige Owens
Distant — “Nothing Left To Hate”
The Dutch deathcore unit Distant kicks off 2026 in style with one of the heaviest tracks of the year. From riffs that make listeners want to two-step, right into crushing breakdowns throughout, “Nothing Left To Hate” is 3 minutes of nonstop brutality. This song is proof that Distant is destined for a massive year with a new album expected in the coming months. —Patrick Walford
Fire From The Gods — “Human”
Fire From The Gods took their name literally when it came to “Human”; it’s a straight-up heater! The second track, with new vocalist/guitarist Myke Terry, showcases what a perfect fit he was to become the band’s new frontman. From the downtuned, groovy and heavy verses to one of the best choruses the band has ever written, this is the band at their absolute best. —Patrick Walford
Sylosis — “Erased”
“Erased” earns an easy 11/10. It embodies everything that makes Sylosis arguably the most underrated metal band in the entire world. Riffs stack on top of riffs on top of riffs, anchored by a banger chorus and drum parts so catchy they get lodged in your head almost instantly. It sounds cheesy, but it’s a legitimate perfect song. This will only further hype longtime fans and new listeners for their upcoming album, The New Flesh, dropping next month on Nuclear Blast! —Patrick Walford
Common People — “Rain”
Get your umbrella because Common People is about to make it “Rain” on you with their new single, perfect for gray winter skies. Common People notes, “‘Rain’ is the feeling of not being able to escape the memory of someone. It’s funny how everything can start to look like them—art, the weather, silence. There’s something strangely comforting in the sadness.” — Maria Serra
