Hey there! Welcome to this first entry in a planned series where I feature what I deem to be the most essential songs from the catalogs of my favorite artists. Each installment will spotlight someone new, and I couldn’t think of a better course of action for my inaugural outing than to love on my favorite band: Rascal Flatts, the country group that’s become one of the most commercially successful recording acts of the 21st century. Formed in 1999, the trio consists of lead singer Gary LeVox, his second cousin, bassist Jay DeMarcus, and lead guitarist Joe Don Rooney. To date, the band has sold roughly 30 million albums worldwide, put sixteen Billboard number-one singles on the radio, and received over 40 trophies from the Country Music Assocation (CMA), the Academy of Country Music, the American Music Awards (AMA), People’s Choice Awards (PCA) and more. The CMA and/or the ACM recognized the band as the top Vocal Group every year from 2003 to 2009. They were named the Artist of the Year at the 2006 AMAs, rightfully so after they outperformed the entire recording industry across that calendar year in a decidedly rare feat for a country group. Their 2006 album Me and My Gang sold more discs in ’06 than any other, with the group’s back catalog also outselling all others that year. Their headlining concert trek that year was also the highest-grossing across all genres.
With bright, powerful vocals, genre-transcendent compositions, carefully crafted production, and perhaps a guiding hand from above, the…
Hello — heard that album art hasn’t been showing up lately, which is just… fabulous. Feel free to jam the playlist below because that will have album art in it, request reviews from staff and contributors, let us know what you’re looking forward to this week (in music or otherwise), and remember… erm, sorry, I forgot where I was going with this.
– List of Releases: August 14th, 2026 –
Attic Abasement – Moonlight Passes On Genre: Slacker Rock / Slowcore Label: Father/Daughter
Another 31-day month’s in store for us. Feel free to jam the playlist below, request reviews from staff and contributors, let us know what you’re looking forward to this week (in music or otherwise), and remember… is a hot dog a sandwich?
– List of Releases: August 7th, 2026 –
The Anchoress – As We Once Were Genre: Art Pop / Chamber Pop Label: LNFG
Cancer Bats – Give Me Dirt Genre: Hardcore Punk / Heavy Metal Label: Bat Skull
Ceremony – Tell Me Your Dream Genre: Hardcore Punk / Post-Punk Label: Relapse
Citizen – Halcyon Blues Genre: Alternative Rock / Emo Label: Run for Cover
Dinner Party – Whatchu Bringing? Genre: Neo-Soul / Jazz Label: Sounds of Crenshaw
DMA’s – DMA’s Genre: Indie Pop / Pop Rock Label: Wonderlick
The Dresden Dolls – Yes, Virginia… (Tailor’s Version) Genre: Dark Cabaret / Piano Rock Label: Cooking Vinyl
Electric Callboy – Tanzneid Genre: Electronicore / Neue Deutsche Härte Label: Century Media
Emery – Styrofoam Genre: Post-Hardcore / Alternative Rock Label: Emeryland
FLO – Therapy at the Club Genre: Dance-Pop / Contemporary R&B Label: EMI
There’s a slew of EPs releasing this week, including user auberginedreams’ How to Care for Flowers‘ Wake Up and Wilt (Cipher System, Lovejoy, Shearling, Starflyer 59, TURQUOISEDEATH, and so on), so have a great time exploring beyond this post as we put a bow on July. Feel free to jam the playlist below, request reviews from staff and contributors, let us know what you’re looking forward to this week (in music or otherwise), and remember: you can still use your search engine of choice.
– List of Releases: July 31st, 2026 –
Allt – Ataraxia Genre: Alternative Metal / Thall Label: Century Media
Altarage – Cogwheel Genre: Dissonant Black Metal / Drone Metal Label: Sentient Ruins
Arca – XXXXX Genre: Deconstructed Club / Neoperreo Label: XL
Ariana Grande – Petal Genre: Alt-Pop / Synthpop Label: Republic
BEDTIMEMAGIC – Lie Down with Dogs Genre: Noise Rock / Noisecore Label: Ghost Is Clear
Feel free to jam the playlist below, request reviews from staff and contributors, let us know what you’re looking forward to this week (in music or otherwise), and remember: use your search engine of choice.
– List of Releases: July 24th, 2026 –
Alex Cameron – Late to Set Genre: Art Pop / Pop Rock Label: Diggers Factory
Ancient Infinity Orchestra – It’s Always About Liberation Genre: Progressive Big Band / Spiritual Jazz Label: Gondwana
Feel free to jam the playlist below, request reviews from staff and contributors, let us know what you’re looking forward to this week (in music or otherwise), and remember: if you want something done right the first time, do it yourself (exclusions may apply)!
– List of Releases: July 17th, 2026 –
Abandoned Toys – The Netherworld’s Children Genre: Neoclassical Darkwave / Neoclassic New Age Label: Mythical
Advents – A Bitter Truth You Can’t Undo Genre: Metalcore / Alternative Metal Label: InVogue
Agile Experiments – Havana Genre: Avant-Garde Jazz / Free Improvisation Label: None More
As It Is – As It Is Genre: Alternative Rock / Pop Punk Label: FLG
Black Sites – For Eternity Genre: Progressive Metal / Gothic Metal Label: [independent]
Boundaries – Yearning: The Unbeautiful After Genre: Metalcore / Post-Hardcore Label: Sumerian
Chase Ceglie – My Saxophone Cried Genre: Jazz Pop / Sophisti-Pop Label: [independent]
Cinder Well – A Blooming Body Genre: Chamber Folk / Americana Label: Hen House
Emptiness – Nowhere Speaks Genre: Death Metal / Avant-Garde Metal Label: Season of Mist
After a long layoff, we are so back bros! This is the release of the month post for June 2026 and our winner this month is Fangdriller: Scars Beneath Memory’s Wrist by Saidan. Our good pal AlkemestRedux has prepared a nice blurb for us!
“Saidan have been nothing if not ferocious since their inception and “Fangdriller: Scars Beneath Memory’s Wrist” only solidifies their reputation as one of the most exciting contemporary USBM outfits, and quite frankly one of the best out there today. It’s almost as if the band took stock of their signature lighting-fast punky black metal blueprints and decided to Line Goes Up everything that makes them such a joy to listen to. The double kicks visit often, as do the soaring melodies and tortured vocals which all perfectly evoke a sense of unease, yearning and a hauntingly depressive romanticism. Landing the top spot on June’s release of the month was no easy feat considering Saidan were competing against strong albums from a murderers row of talent like Converge, August Burns Red, Muse and Olivia Rodrigo. But for my money, the Tennessee two-piece managed to once again slice their way to the front of the pack.”
Feel free to jam the playlist below, request reviews from staff and contributors, let us know what you’re looking forward to this week (in music or otherwise), and remember: it’s hot. Hope this helps!
– List of Releases: July 10th, 2026 –
Adam Lambert – ADAM Genre: Electropop / Dance-Pop Label: More Is More
Allison Russell – In the Hour of Chaos Genre: Country Soul / Americana Label: Fantasy
Apogean – Waste Where Life Begins Genre: Technical Death Metal / Progressive Metal Label: The Artisan Era
Bring Me The Horizon – Count Your Blessings: Repented Genre: Deathcore / Melodic Death Metal Label: Sony
Chuck Strangers – Glory of the King’s Hand Genre: Boom Bap / Drumless Label: Lex
DevilDriver – Strike and Kill Genre: Melodic Death Metal / Groove Metal Label: Napalm
The Durutti Column – Renascent Genre: Indietronica / Downtempo Label: London
Eva Under Fire – Villainous Genre: Alternative Metal / Hard Rock Label: Better Noise
Fathers – Fathers Genre: Nu Jazz / Jazz Fusion Label: Blue Note
Finn Wolfhard – Fire from the Hip Genre: Slacker Rock / Power Pop Label: AWAL…
Feel free to jam the playlist below, request reviews from staff and contributors, let us know what you’re looking forward to this week (in music or otherwise), and remember: how do you make money in terminally online music discourse? Start with a big ol’ pile of money and work your way down from there.
– List of Releases: July 3rd, 2026 –
Cole Redding – A Boy from Nowhere Genre: Dance-Pop / Contemporary R&B Label: Symphonic Distribution
Deep Purple – Splat! Genre: Hard Rock / Progressive Rock Label: earMUSIC
Dominum – Night Is Calling Genre: Heavy Metal / Horror Punk Label: Napalm
Frank Lloyd Wleft – The Actual Kids in Actual America Genre: Alt-Country / Americana Label: Strong Island Recordings
Ian Prowse – No Names Genre: Folk Rock / Indie Rock Label: Learpholl Recordings
Javano – Juncture Genre: Atmospheric Drum and Bass / UK Garage Label: Peer Pressure
Ken Carson – xperiment Genre: Trap / Rage Label: Opium
Low Cut Connie – Livin in the USA Genre: Indie Rock / Heartland Rock Label: Contender
Madonna – Confessions II Genre: Dance-Pop / Diva House Label: Warner
Feel free to jam the playlist below, request reviews from staff and contributors, let us know what you’re looking forward to this week (in music or otherwise), and remember: only you can prevent wildfires.
– List of Releases: June 26th, 2026 –
Abul Mogard & Rafael Anton Irisarri – Where Light Pauses in the Silence of the Sun Genre: Ambient / Drone Label: Black Knoll
Amberian Dawn – Temptation’s Gates Genre: Symphonic Metal / Power Metal Label: Napalm
If you haven’t already, check out the dynamic duo of D’Gonzo and S’harder as they discussed May’s new releases in their fireside chat. Feel free to jam the playlist below, request reviews from staff and contributors, let us know what you’re looking forward to this week (in music or otherwise), and remember: the batteries in your Wii Remote are nearly depleted.
– List of Releases: June 19th, 2026 –
Adult Magic – Are You Even Happy Now? Genre: Power Pop / Post-Grunge Label: Dead Broke
Avarice – Perpetual Ruin Genre: Melodic Death Metal / Thrash Metal Label: Mighty Music
Belvedere – Seven Years of Bad Luck Genre: Skate Punk / Melodic Hardcore Label: Thousand Islands
Cochise – Trench Town Genre: Trap / Rage Label: Sony / Columbia
Conflux – In the Wake of Saturn Genre: Technical Death Metal / Progressive Metal Label: [independent]
D12 – D12 Forever (Vol. 1) Genre: Hardcore Hip Hop / Gangsta Rap Label: Compound Interest
Daniel Lanois – Belladonna Nocturne Genre: Electroacoustic / Ambient Label: Red Floor
Einherjer – Lifeblood Genre: Viking Metal / Folk Metal Label: By Norse
The first episode of our (hopefully) monthly Roundtable segment where we go over the highlights of the month. This episode contains two Brits talking about a deluge of albums over tea and crumpets.
Content:
Introduction 0:00
Mol 1:17
Neurosis 2:13
Darko 3:05
Converge 4:40
Karnivool 4:47
Rob Zombie 6:52
Gaerea 8:14
Poppy 9:04
Black Veil Brides 9:39
Don Broco 10:32
Kiefer Sutherland 11:49
Converge 15:00
Mel C 19:29
Olivia Rodrigo 21:42
Static Dress 23:08
Evanescence 26:42
Shinedown 28:53
Vince Staples 30:34
Boards of Canada 32:25
August Burns Red 34:56
Devin Townsend 36:13
Guilt Trip 38:25
Elder 38:58
Slift 40:42
L’eveil 41:51
Thurnin 42:59
Khemmis 45:36
Fires in the Distance 47:11
Genghis Tron 47:47
Bring Me the Horizon 49:17
Interpol 52:30
Muse 55:01
Marilyn Manson 58:45
Warning 1:00:00
Butthole Surfers 1:00:24
Still Remains 1:01:40
Zao Pillars 1:01:55
Shane Embury 1:03:16
Closing 1:03:48
Feel free to jam the playlist below, request reviews from staff and contributors, let us know what you’re looking forward to this week (in music or otherwise), and remember: the flowers in the garden are representative of those in your heart. Treat them both nice.
– List of Releases: June 12th, 2026 –
BASIC – BASIC Genre: Krautrock / Experimental Rock Label: No Quarter
Bebe Rexha – Dirty Blonde Genre: Dance-Pop / Festival Progressive House Label: Empire
BIG|BRAVE – in grief or in hope Genre: Drone Metal / Doomgaze Label: Thrill Jockey
Big D and the Kids Table – The Good Ole American Saturday Night Genre: Ska Punk / “Stroll” Label: SideOneDummy
Blxst – Labor of Love Genre: Contemporary R&B / Pop Rap Label: Empire
Bob Wagner – I’ve Been Down Genre: Alt-Country / Americana Label: Royal Potato Family
The Bobby Lees – New Self Genre: Garage Punk / Punk Blues Label: Ipecac
Defiled – Altered State Genre: Death Metal / Groove Metal Label: Season of Mist
Dirty Heads – 7 Seas Genre: Pop Reggae / Pop Rap Label: Better Noise
