Ohio's scuzzy, freakazoid rock act Big Fat Head returns today with Global Voyeur, an album the group has been working to get out for a handful of years. Well, it's finally here, and it was worth the wait. In addition to the fun-loving singles "Kicking My Own Ass," "Yesyesyes," "Paradox," and "Revolution," the LP has bangers like "Massacre," a warbled, slightly psychedelic rocker that sounds like it's being played off a dusty CD through busted car speakers (complimentary). If you ever wondered what Water from Your Eyes would sound like if they were way more into The Rolling Stones and T. Rex, Big Fat Head are here to answer your prayers. — Jonah Krueger

Former artist to watch Greg Freeman has announced his new album, All Set the Bone, the follow-up to his well-received 2025 release Burnover. "Indu" arrives as the LP's first preview, and it's a bop. Built on overdriven guitar stabs, honky-tonk licks, and Freeman's characteristically nasally delivery, it's a perfect addition to any Indie Rock/Alt Country Backyard BBQ playlist. Hand me a beer and a burger, give me a stick-n-poke, and throw on "Indu." — J. Krueger

Miraculously, Krill have returned with their first new music in ten years. The track, "Commemorative Plaque," is an impressive, welcome reintroduction to the left-field rock group. A dynamic indie rock slow burn, the tune adds increasingly unhinged elements to its guitar-bass-drums baseline before locking into a propulsive groove for its final leg. Pretty sick stuff that old fans and newcomers alike will likely adore. — J. Krueger

"We live in a world where everything's collapsing," Brooklyn-born singer, songwriter, and producer Laila! sings on her new single. "Anything could happen." Aptly titled "Anything Could Happen," the song is Laila!'s buoyant offering to anyone attempting to survive mad times (read: all of us). It opens with a digital hush, complete with driving orbs of sound, before ascending toward a dance-heavy atmosphere. As she often does, Laila! handled the production on her own here, and it sounds earnest and fully thought-out. Her raw vocals have always been evocative, and in the context of "Anything Could Happen," they soar even higher toward a hopeful future. — Kiana Fitzgerald

Everything wonderful about Long Odds' new album, the dry land, is perfectly established in the opening cut, "perfect day:" lowkey and distorted vocals, a plotting beat, deceptively simple indie rock guitar work, and a damn fine tune at its core. What more could you really want? — J. Krueger

Master Peace, one of our 2026 Emerging Artists to Watch, is back with "sucker punch !," the latest new track off his upcoming album if i don't love you, who will ?. While his last track "ONE of ONE" found him giddy and in love, "sucker punch !" is the heartbroken hangover. Appropriately, Master Peace sounds wounded on "sucker punch !," but even if his lyrics suggest being on the ropes, his vocal versatility remains stronger than ever — especially on the harmony-laden final chorus. His raspy tone is just so convincing and commanding. Even when he's heartbroken, Master Peace's hot streak continues. — Paolo Ragusa

Two great rock acts meet to lament the state of the world. "Under Pressure"? Nope, Militarie Gun and Mannequin Pussy's cathartic new banger "World's Always Burning." The song maybe on the deluxe version of Militarie Gun's 2025 LP God Save the Gun, but it sure as hell sounds like an A-side. Throughout, Ian Shelton and Marisa Dabice express disillusionment about how history repeats itself and, essentially, everything's fucked; even though it feels bleak, the song's power pop rush and reverb-heavy production provides some anthemic optimism (the same kind Oasis specialize in). The world has always been burning, sure, but it's songs like this that provide a small, revelatory antidote. — P. Ragusa

Parcels' Noah Hill has stepped out solo and will release his debut album Ok ok now on September 4th. "Bye Baby" is the second single, and it's a gorgeous, raw offering. Combined with harmony and warm guitar, Hill's searching tone has an almost mystic quality to it, not too dissimilar from Sting's yearning ache or the sensitive croons in Samia's recent work. He really goes for it on "Bye Baby," an emotional cut matched by an appropriately passionate music video; throughout, a pair of dancers fluctuate between moods in a relationship with an intimate, chaotic push and pull. Hill's new solo era is worth keeping an ear on. — P. Ragusa

AfroSoul artist Osé released her debut EP Feels Like Home today. A sonic marriage of Afrobeats and global R&B, the project sees Osé introducing herself, as she reflects on themes of self-worth. The standout track, "cease & desist," undulates delicately as Osé sings about wanting to be given space to find her own path. "Not at my best, but I'll make due/ Still waiting for a breakthrough/ Looking for an escape route," she sings, searching for a way forward. Her voice, lilting and honeyed, floats on the subdued production as she looks to navigate life without interruption. — K. Fitzgerald

Swiss indie pop band Soft Loft are gearing up to release their new album, Throw the Dice, on September 4th. Ahead of its arrival, the collective has released a three-track bundle led by the hopeful single "Wednesday." Driven by ambling guitar and lead singer and lyricist Jorina Stamm's cool delivery, the song opens with a sense of purpose: "I keep collecting my powers to let myself bloom." Deeply reflective at its core, "Wednesday" is about the small acts of self care that keep us going. The band's tender approach makes optimism feel possible for even the most down among us. — K. Fitzgerald

"Dine N'Dash" is easily one of the most batshit insane Strokes songs. Between the main melodic hook sounding like an evil shadow of "The Adults Are Talking," Casablancas doing spoken word in a British accent, and its dynamic swings, the tune impressively manages to balance contradictory tones, leading to moments of genuine humor and beauty. There's a reason we're already ranking it as one of our favorite songs from the indie icons. — J. Krueger

Victor Jones, another one of our 2026 Emerging Artists to Watch, is back today with his Best Worst Enemy EP. Kicking off the project is "Turn Grey" a love song filtered through Jones' penchant for layered percussion, throbbing synth pop, and unforgettable imagery. Every one of Jones' releases now keeps upping the ante with how many lines that just jump out and grab you; on "Turn Grey," maybe it's the chorus of "And I'll love you 'til the sky turns crimson/ And I'll kiss you like a roman candle/ I just wanna see your hair turn grey," but there are about 14 other ones that qualify. He's now got a full US tour under his belt, and Jones' ecstatic shows are getting better and better (check out his next one in NYC on August 5th) — luckily, Jones' heart-on-your-sleeve anthems remain as charming as ever. — P. Ragusa

I thought I was already as excited as I could be for the new Wild Pink album, Still Coming Down. Then, the latest single dropped, "500 Is the New 250," and we're approaching hype levels previously only theorized by our greatest hoopla scientists. Melodic, fuzzy, explosive, and with John Ross' sharp pen, there's not a damn thing not to like about it, just like the other singles. Once again, Ross continues to outdo himself. — J. Krueger

At 25 years old, WILLOW has just released her ninth (!) album, The Thread. The title track is a sonic garden of sprouting sounds that feel unpredictable — until you become familiar with the rhythm. WILLOW's voice opens the song, with cascading vocal layering that acts as instrumentation and percussion. It's an ambitious introduction, and it works because WILLOW is committed to shapeshifting, which becomes even more apparent throughout the song. WILLOW's aversion to genre lends itself well to her obsession with musicality; "The Thread" is the artist's moment to celebrate her growth in the wild. — K. Fitzgerald