Screaming Females - All at Once

Ready to have your mind blown open? At this point, Screaming Females have been a band longer than Led Zeppelin, the original Black Sabbath, and the Velvet Underground were bands. Yet, while those bands kind of stumbled to inglorious ends when they reached the decade mark, the Screamles, now in their 13th year, have just released not only their masterwork- the multifaceted, soulful, unusual, All at Once- but they’ve morphed from riff-meister power trio to expansive, shape-shifting sonic titans that are able to marvel at the wonder of the universe all while describing it. Because I frequently listen to Rudimentary Peni and find myself saying, “Nick Blinko is right, human flesh is nothing but slowly dying prison,” it does me well to experience human feelings once in a while and I have no shame in saying that this album makes my heart swell. It also makes me feel like I’m riding a cyborg-dragon through the cosmos while wearing a cape made of liquid mercury and shooting down para-daemons, but that is because the album also totally rocks. -John Gentile

Debt Neglector - Atomicland

Every year, inevitably, I come across an album that I should I have put on my year-end list that was not anywhere on my radar. It happened in 2015 when I heard 2014’s Future On Fire by Class Of 86. This time around it happened when I came across Debt Neglector’s (featuring Alex Goldfarb, formerly of New Mexican Disaster among other bands) debut album Atomicland. The Florida band is really on to something here. Their take on pop punk and melodic punk is quite unique. It isn’t your everyday “four chords and ‘the truth’.” Every song is incredibly different from the other and yet, they all fit together on this one album very well. The shared lead vocals, hard-hitting guitars and provocative lyrics truly make Atomicland stand out in the current pop punk realm. Fans of Dillinger Four and Direct Hit! should definitely give this album a listen. It totally flies by. Suggested Song: “Gift Shop” -Ricky Frankel

Booze and Glory - Chapter IV & As Bold As Brass

I’m a bit embarrassed to admit that I hadn’t really listened to Booze and Glory until now. I’d heard a few songs here and there, but for whatever reason they just never really made it to my rotation of songs. That all changed when I saw them live in New Jersey a few weeks back. They are by far the best sounding band I’ve seen live. I’m still kicking myself for not diving into their catalogue sooner because the show would have been even better had I known the songs. So I bought both records and I’ve listened to them every day since. I’m hoping they come back through Jersey again ‘cause next time I’ll be singing along. -Pete Vincelli

Blacklist Royals - Model Citizen EP

Ok, so cards on the table time here kids, since hearing “Brothers and Sisters” back in 2012 I’ve been a gushing, super-fan of Nashville punks Blacklist Royals. The effortless blend of kitsch Americana and punk rock attitude immediately hooked me and that feeling has only grown as I discovered 2010’s Semper Liberi and 2014’s heartbreaking masterpiece Die Young with Me. With recent record label troubles behind them, the band finally released new music in the shape of the Model Citizen EP back in October last year and since then it’s hardly left my turntable. Featuring three new tracks; ‘Model Citizen’, ‘Evelyn’ and the anthemic ‘I Don’t Care’. These were apparently written as part of the Die Young With Me sessions, but with a more raw feel. The band recently made comments on twitter hinting at more new music later this year, so there is renewed hope (fingers crossed!) for a full length sometime in 2018. -Steven Farkasi

Ducking Punches - Alamort

I first encountered this Norwich band when I was in England playing some shows with Daggermouth. Ducking Punches pack memorable leads, catchy verses and well placed vocal harmonies throughout Alamort. While the band has been steadily gaining attention in their native United Kingdom and Europe, the band remains relatively little known in North America. The band pulls a vibe of Clarity era Jimmy Eat World with an added aggressive punk rock edge. It is definitely worth checking out if you are vibing for some solid punk rock that dips its big toe into the emo pool. Ducking Punches recently dropped a video for track “Smoking Spots”, check it out below! -Max Power

Matt and Kim - ALMOST EVERYDAY

In the Spring of 2017, Kim, of Matt and Kim fame, tore her ACL in one of their chaotic live performances jumping off a drum riser. It sidelined the duo and forced them to cancel all touring plans. The severity of the injury caused a lengthy recovery period. In this downtime, Matt and Kim began posting vlogs detailing Kim’s recovery and the everyday antics of the couple. The vlogs caught my eye at some point last year and I began religiously looking forward to each new update. The levity and goodness of the couple really came through and made for endearing views. During this time, Matt and Kim also began writing their new album ALMOST EVERYDAY. While I loved their debut Grand, the duo fell off my radar over the years until these vlogs. When ALMOST EVERYDAY was released, my interest was piqued enough to check it out and I’m glad I did. The sun soaked synths, bass drops, and posi lyrics immediately brought me back to what I loved about their debut. There’s a meditation on enjoying life in these songs underscored by the forced year off in reflection. If you’re looking for an upbeat listen to coincide with the start of summer, you won’t go wrong with Matt and Kim’s new album. -Eric Rosso

Modern Life is War - My Love.My Way.

Earlier this month I found myself on a Have Heart kick because of the new Fiddlehead record, which eventually landed me at the first Modern Life is War full-length, My Love.My Way. I fell into a kick of that early-mid millennium hardcore I loved for its energy and lyrical content. And, damn, that record remains so undeniably angry and thoughtful. I actually couldn’t believe it came out back in 2003 because of how well the sound itself holds up. I know a lot of people think Witness is the best MLIW record, but I still have to stand with My Love. My Way. Bookended by some of the best songs of the era in “Breaking the Cycle” and “First & Ellen,” the entire record hits with a ferocity that is made palatable by Jeff’s introspective and still-prescient lyrics. The record holds up, and listening to it now reminds me of why MLIW rose so quickly. They had a sound all their own, and those live shows were crushingly energetic. My Love. My Way. still echoes that. -Mike Musilli