-Kaiser from GEL

GEL–Only Constant

New Jersey hardcore freshmen GEL have released their first proper LP, and it’s a banger. On its blistering 16-minute runtime, the band grooves and screeches like 90’s hardcore never went out of style. Which if you’re paying attention to the scene right now, it hasn’t. Only Constant is an invitation for anyone who has ever felt on the outside to find family in the hardcore community. It’s energetic, abrasive, and fun. And there are certainly worse ways to spend 16 minutes.

The Ongoing Concept–Again

The Ongoing Concept is back! It’s been six years since their last album Places. But that was a strange release, finding all but frontman Dawson Scholz having left the band. It felt more like a record made to fulfill a contract than a proper TOC album. Again sound like the sequel to 2015’s unbelievably good Handmade that fans were craving. Featuring their signature amalgamation of rock, screamo, metal, jazz, pop, and prog, Always is a return to form and hopefully a sign of good things to come. Read our full review HERE.

Tyler The Creator–CMIYGL: THE ESTATE SALE

TTC has released a deluxe verion of the 2021 AOTY Call Me If You Get Lost, featuring 8 tracks that were recorded during CIYGL sessions. Second single “Sorry Not Sorry” has Tyler grappling with who he has been (with the music video featuring various iterations of Tyler over the years) and features his most honest talk about his sexuality to date. And with some seriously heavy-hitter guest spots, this is a deluxe version worth investing time into.

Samiam–Stowaway

It’s been a good year for punk music so far, with classic artists like Anti-Flag and The Bouncing Souls releasing new material that still remains fresh despite the bands’ longevity. Samiam has entered the fray, bringing their sound of punk rock and emo for a new generation of listeners. You don’t have to have a history with the band to appreciate Stowaway, and hopefully tuning into these tracks will turn new listeners on to this consistently good sound of Samiam.

Larry June x The Alchemist-The Great Escape

Coming off of last year’s critically acclaimed Spaceships on the Blade, Larry June has partnered with auteur producer Alchemist for The Great Escape. Alc eschews some of his more experimental leanings for a more straightforward production style that matches June’s more traditional flow. But the art doesn’t feel compromised; the fusion highlights the skills of both artists and will definitely work to continue to make June a name for underground rap fans.

boygenius–the record

Indie supergroup boygenius have released their first full length album, 5 WHOLE YEARS after their teaser EP. The band made up of Phoebe Bridgers, Lucy Dacus, and Julien Baker bring out the best in each other while upping the emotional gravitas. With an upcoming tour seeing the band headlining festivals and a brief film appropriately titled “boygenius: the film” directed by Kristen Stewart (yes that one), boygenius is staged to take over the world.

BAD OPTIX-“Raid”

Tim Armstrong and Jesse Michaels have reunited for their first new music since the breakup of the heavily influential Operation Ivy. BAD OPTIX also features members of Circle Jerks and Trash Talk and is probably the closest thing to an OP IVY reunion we’re going to get. Which is disappointing, but okay, because the track is really good.