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July 2018 Alt Col Picks – Like Pacific, Amy Shark, Real Friends, & More

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Lots of great albums were released in July, so here are our favorite records, EPs, and singles of the month! (In no particular order.) Want a Spotify playlist? Click here!

  • Like Pacific – In Spite of Me

Raucous distortion and granular vocal performances characterize the sophomore record from Like Pacific titled In Spite of Me. In Spite of Me spans beyond the typical pop punk timbre, branching out into alt-rock and emo-tinged territories while maintaining charisma and catchiness. Standout tracks include “Had It Coming,” “Sedatives,” “Something Missing,” and “Self Defeated.” In Spite of Me will appeal to fans of The Story So Far, Knuckle Puck, and Between You & Me. Click here to listen.

  • Real Friends – Composure

Composure displays Real Friends at their most refined state yet, as if they’ve gained more … composure. The Chicago pop punk band still delivers their emotional subject matters and hint of youthfulness but in a much more mature, cultivated sense. Standout tracks include “From the Outside,” “Unconditional Love,” “Me First,” and “Get By.” Composure is bound to satisfy followers of WSTR, Transit, and Seaway. Click here to listen.

  • Oh, Weatherly – Lips Like Oxygen

Oh, Weatherly’s debut full-length Lips Like Oxygen will take your breath away with its hard-hitting instrumentals and singalong choruses. Lips Like Oxygen makes it feel like 2005 pop punk never really ended… in the best way possible. Standout tracks include “Love and Poetry,” “Here Tonight,” “I Think I Want You,” and “Dark of the Night.” Lips Like Oxygen is sure to attract listeners of Mayday Parade, You vs. Yesterday, and Sincerely, Me. Click here to listen.

  • The Hunna – Dare

Dare, the second studio album from The Hunna, dares to step outside the lines through moody atmosphere, fervent energy, and impassioned vocals. Coarse guitar melodies and poignant lyricism make Dare an emotional roller coaster, demanding for repeated listens. Standout tracks include “Summer,” “Flickin’ Your Hair,” “NY to LA,” and “Babe, Can I Call?” Dare is for fans of High Tyde, The Night Café, and JAWS. Click here to listen.

  • Lydia – Liquor

Lydia’s latest long-player Liquor amalgamates everything from indie pop to singer/songwriter to indie rock to every experimental mixture in between. With vertiginous guitar refrains and ethereal vocal layering, Liquor will intoxicate you with every spin. Standout tracks include “Sunlight,” “Goodside,” “Way Out,” and “Red Lights (feat. Lauren Ruth Ward).” Liquor will attract followers of From Indian Lakes, Half Moon Run, and Holy Holy. Click here to listen.

  • Amy Shark – Love Monster

Joining forces with the likes of Jack Antonoff, Joel Little, and Mark Hoppus, Australian singer/songwriter Amy Shark provides an alternative pop record defined by soul-rattling ballads and upbeat summer anthems. Standout tracks include “All Loved Up,” “I Said Hi,” “Psycho (feat. Mark Hoppus),” and “You Think I Think I Sound Like God.” Love Monster will capture listeners of Methyl Ethel, Cub Sport, and Jack River. Click here to listen.

  • Trash Boat – Crown Shyness

Hopeless Records signees Trash Boat deliver their sophomore effort titled Crown Shyness. Crown Shyness is filled to the brim with heart-rending lyricism and somber attitude through hard-hitting guitars and harrowing vocal performances. Standout tracks include “Shade,” “Inside Out,” “Old Soul,” and “Don’t Open Your Eyes.” Crown Shyness is sure to satisfy fans of Like Pacific, The Story So Far, and Boston Manor. Click here to listen.

  • Buzzhowl Records – Buzzhowl Volume 1

Available August 17, Buzzhowl Records’ first compilation Buzzhowl Volume 1 is a delectable collection of exploratory noise rock and alt-rock. With mind-bending melodies and boisterous walls of sound, Buzzhowl Volume 1 is a must-listen for any fan of noise rock. Standout tracks include “Reset” by Dead Tenants, “Power Bomb Baby” by Gravves, and “Mother” by Bo Gritz,but the whole release is phenomenal! This compilation will appeal to followers of IDLES, Hot Snakes, and Hey Colossus. Click here to listen.

MORE GREAT ALBUMS

  • Wet – Still Run

Standout tracks include “You’re Not Wrong,” “Lately,” and “Out of Tune.” Still Run is for fans of TT, The Japanese House, and Broods. Click here to listen.

  • Halestorm – Vicious

Hard-hitting rock with powerhouse vocals. Standout tracks include “Skulls,” “Painkiller,” and “Uncomfortable.” Vicious will interest fans of Shinedown, In This Moment, and Pop Evil. Click here to listen.

  • Save Face – Merci

Standout tracks include “Bad,” “Nothin’,” and “Jonesin’.” Merci is for fans of Hot Mulligan, Super Whatevr, and Elder Brother. Click here to listen.

  • Mom Jeans. – Puppy Love

Standout tracks include “glamorous,” “you can’t eat cats, Kevin,” and “PT. 2.” Puppy Love is for fans of Remo Drive, Hot Mulligan, and Joyce Manor. Click here to listen.

  • Hopesfall – Arbiter

Standout tracks include “H.A. Wallace Space Academy,” “Tunguska,” and “Faint Object Camera.” Arbiter is for fans of Every Time I Die, Glassjaw, and Thursday. Click here to listen.

  • We the Kings – Six

Standout tracks include “Even If It Kills Me,” “On My Love,” and “Alive.” Six is for fans of All Time Low, Boys Like Girls, and Every Avenue. Click here to listen.

  • The Nude Party – The Nude Party

Standout tracks include “Records,” “Chevrolet Van,” and “Water On Mars.” The Nude Party is for fans of Twin Peaks, Ron Gallo, and Naked Giants. Click here to listen.

 

  • The Spitfires – Year Zero

Standout tracks include “The New Age,” “Remains the Same,” and “Over and Over Again.” Year Zero is for fans of The Sherlocks, The Theme, and Blossoms. Click here to listen.

  • Between You & Me – Everything Is Temporary

Standout tracks include “Dakota,” “Twice Shy,” and “Everything Is Temporary.” Everything Is Temporary is for fans of Neck Deep, Coldfront, and Mayday Parade. Click here to listen.

  • Pool Kids – Music to Practice Safe Sex to

Standout tracks include “They Only Care About My Fills and Not My Feels,” “Patterns,” and “Borderline.” Music to Practice Safe Sex to is for fans of Charmer, Dryjacket, and Woolbright. Click here to listen.

  • Covet – effloresce

Standout tracks include “glimmer,” “howl,” and “falkor.” Effloresce is for fans of Yvette Young, Enemies, and Floral. Click here to listen.

  • Chelsea Grin – Eternal Nightmare

Standout tracks include “See You Soon,” “Dead Rose,” and “Hostage.” Eternal Nightmare is for fans of Thy Art Is Murder, The Acacia Strain, and Born of Osiris. Click here to listen.

  • YUNGBLUD – 21st Century Liability

Standout tracks include “California,” “Medication,” and “Psychotic Kids.” 21st Century Liability is for fans of grandson, Two Feet, and twenty one pilots. Click here to listen.

  • Bury Tomorrow – Black Flame

Standout tracks include “Black Flame,” “Knife of Gold,” and “The Age.” Black Flame is for fans of Miss May I, Parkway Drive, and The Color Morale. Click here to listen.

 

Extended Plays

  • Knox Hamilton – Beach Boy

Standout tracks include “Trade My Trips” and “Video Sunshine.” Beach Boy is for fans of COIN, LANY, and courtship. Click here to listen.

  • Dog Mom – Ripe

Standout tracks include “Dropout” and “House of Salt.” Ripe is for fans of boy pablo, No Vacation, and Temporex. Click here to listen.

  • Emmalee – Take Me As I Am

Standout tracks include “Beach Weather” and “Get On, Dear.” Take Me As I Am is for fans of Penny and Sparrow, Drew Holcomb, and early Bon Iver. Click here to listen.

  • joan – portra

Standout tracks include “stop and stare” and “take me on.” portra is for fans of LANY, MILKK, and COIN. Click here to listen.

  • The Friends of Batman – Pain

Standout tracks include “Pain” and “Perfume.” Pain is for fans of The Get Up Kids, Save the Day, and Minor Threat. Click here to listen.

 

 

  • George Ogilvie – Nowhere

Standout tracks include “Surveillance” and “Second Nature.” Nowhere is for fans of Chris Dupont, City and Colour, and Trent Dabbs. Click here to listen.

  • Pink Skies – Does It Really Matter?

Colorful, kaleidoscopic production. Standout tracks include “I Don’t Wanna See You Cry” and “Passing Me By.” Does It Really Matter? is for fans of Smallpools, MILKK, and The Japanese House. Click here to listen.

  • Chaser – Life I Used to Love

Standout tracks include “Your Everything” and “Penniless.” Life I Used to Love is for fans of Homesafe, Like Pacific, and Can’t Swim. Click here to listen.

  • Thunder Club – Summer Vice

Standout tracks include “Hot Words” and “Pocketbook Lover.” Summer Vice is for fans of Glass Towers, Pacific Radio, and LEDGES. Click here to listen.

  • Norphlet – Norphlet

Standout tracks include “Brand New” and “Omador.” Norphlet is for fans of Hockey Dad, Boston Manor, and Have Mercy. Click here to listen.

  • Orchards – Losers/Lovers

Standout tracks include “Drama King” and “Double Vision.” Losers/Lovers is for fans of Delta Sleep, Bad Suns, and Invalids. Click here to listen.

  • Yoke Lore – Absolutes

Standout tracks include “Fake You” and “Ride.” Absolutes is for fans of flor, joan, and Day Wave. Click here to listen.

 

 

Featured SingleS

Let us know what you think of July’s releases down in the comments below!

Our Alt Col Picks are curated lists of the best albums and EPs for each month! We keep a schedule of upcoming releases and pick our favorite ones at the end of the month, giving them a spotlight here and on Twitter. To be featured in one of our lists, hit us up on our contact page or Twitter, though nothing is guaranteed. (We rarely make exceptions to include past releases, so if your album came out in June, we might be hesitant to include it in July or August, for instance.)

May 2018 Alt Col Picks – Arctic Monkeys, Parquet Courts, CHVRCHES, & More

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A lot of great albums were released in May, so here are our favorite records of the month! (In no particular order.) Want a Spotify playlist? Click here!

  • Lake Street Dive – Free Yourself Up

After issuing a handful of sparkling indie blues rock albums, Lake Street Dive releases another fantastic addition to their victory streak with Free Yourself Up, characterized by soulful vocals and tastefully rough-around-the-edges instrumentals. Standout tracks include “Good Kisser,” “Dude,” “Hang On,” and “Baby, Don’t Leave Me Alone With My Thoughts.” Free Yourself Up will appeal to fans of Muddy Magnolias, Empty Houses, and St. Paul & The Broken Bones. Click here to listen.

  • Arctic Monkeys – Tranquility Base Hotel & Casino

For their sixth studio record, Arctic Monkeys steps out of their traditional wheelhouse for a lounge-y, nonchalant smooth rock timbre with Tranquility Base Hotel & Casino, seasoned with prickly guitar melodies and psychedelic vocal delivery. Standout tracks include “Four Out of Five,” “Star Treatment,” and “Tranquility Base Hotel & Casino.” Tranquility Base Hotel & Casino is bound to satisfy followers of The Kooks, The Last Shadow Puppets, and Bloc Party. Click here to listen.

  • Shinedown – Attention Attention

In an era where most popular rock bands aim for a more poppy, mainstream radio-friendly sound, Shinedown turns the other direction and unleashes a ripping, hard-hitting, pure rock record with soaring choruses and granular guitar riffs. Standout tracks include “DEVIL,” “ATTENTION ATTENTION,” “MONSTERS,” and “THE HUMAN RADIO.” Attention Attention is sure to attract listeners of Breaking Benjamin, Daughtry, and Three Days Grace. Click here to listen.

  • Parquet Courts – Wide Awake!

Parquet Courts’ seventh studio record Wide Awake! is nothing short of a dream. With funky melodies, nuanced synths and effects, and a sense of urgency, Wide Awake! will shake you right awake with the first listen. Standout tracks include “Wide Awake,” “Almost Had to Start a Fight/In and Out of Patience,” and “Before the Water Gets Too High.” Wide Awake! will interest fans of Protomartyr, The Vaccines, and The Wombats. Click here to listen.

  • Now, Now – Saved

Six years after their previous full-length Threads, Now, Now returns with Saved, a record that cements their indie rock style through playful tunes like “SGL” and moodier moments like “Can’t Help Myself.” The amalgamation of emo-tinged alt-rock and smooth synth pop makes for a delectable and endlessly replayable album. Standout tracks include “SGL,” “Yours,” “Set It Free,” and “Can’t Help Myself.” Saved will capture followers of Pinkish Blu, Anarbor, and The Aces. Click here to listen.

  • courtship. – Denial in Paradise

courtship.’s debut LP Denial in Paradise is an undeniably fabulous indie pop slice of paradise for the summer. The cascading guitar melodies and glistening synths combine with the unique percussion and hypnotic vocal performances to craft a breezy, sunny record worth countless listens. Standout tracks include “Nice Guy,” “Bad Fun,” “The Kind of Woman,” and “Sunroof.” Denial in Paradise is sure to satisfy listeners of HONNE, Smallpools, and COIN. Click here to listen.

  • CHVRCHES – Love Is Dead

CHVRCHES recrudesces with another dazzling indie pop full-length on Love Is Dead. Between scintillating synth lines and anthemic refrains, Love Is Dead also provides social commentary, self-reflection, and underlying angst to tie the explosive package altogether. Standout tracks include “Get Out,” “Graffiti,” “Miracle,” and “Deliverance.” Love Is Dead will appeal to followers of Broods, Shura, and Purity Ring. Click here to listen.

  • Beach House – 7

Aptly titled 7, Beach House’s seventh record is a hazy listen defined by surging walls of reverb and foggy atmosphere, complemented by meditative lyricism to make for a dreamy indie rock/pop album perfect for a lazy summer afternoon. Standout tracks include “Dark Spring,” “Dive,” “L’Inconnue,” and “Lemon Glow.” 7 will attract fans of Perfume Genius, Real Estate, and Grouper. Click here to listen.

MORE GREAT ALBUMS

  • Honey, Be Well – These Emo Kids and Their Damn Polaroids

Standout tracks include “Secret Agent Michael Scarn,” “I Wanna Go Home,” and “Enough for You.” These Emo Kids and Their Damn Polaroids is for fans of Modern Baseball, Joyce Manor, and The Front Bottoms. Click here to listen.

  • Dream On Dreamer – It Comes and Goes

Standout tracks include “Stay,” “Let It In,” and “Runaway.” It Comes and Goes is for fans of The Word Alive, Hands Like Houses, and I See Stars. Click here to listen.

  • Frank Turner – Be More Kind

Standout tracks include “Be More Kind,” “Blackout,” and “Make America Great Again.” Be More Kind is for fans of Brian Fallon, Dave Hause, and Beans On Toast. Click here to listen.

  • James Bay – Electric Light

Standout tracks include “Pink Lemonade,” “Sugar Drunk High,” and “Wild Love.” Electric Light is for fans of George Ezra, Hozier, and Vance Joy. Click here to listen.

  • Courtney Barnett – Tell Me How You Really Feel

Standout tracks include “Crippling Self-Doubt and a General Lack of Confidence,” “Need a Little Time,” and “City Looks Pretty.” Tell Me How You Really Feel is for fans of Kurt Vile, Soccer Mommy, and Snail Mail. Click here to listen.

  • TT – LoveLaws

Standout tracks include “Love Leaks,” “The Dream,” and “I’ve Been Fine.” LoveLaws is for fans of The Japanese House, Anna Burch, and Sunflower Bean. Click here to listen.

  • The Word Alive – Violent Noise

Standout tracks include “Red Clouds,” “Human (ft. Sincerely Collins),” and “Why Am I Like This?”  Violent Noise is for fans of Miss May I, blessthefall, and The Color Morale. Click here to listen.

  • Remember Sports – Slow Buzz

Standout tracks include “No Going Back,” “Up From Below,” and “Pull Through.” Slow Buzz is for fans of Ratboys, Dude York, and Diet Cig. Click here to listen.

  • The Sidekicks – Happiness Hours

Standout tracks include “Weed Tent,” “Twin’s Twist,” and “Don’t Feel Like Dancing.” Happiness Hours is for fans of Cheap Girls, Wild Nothing, and The Menzingers. Click here to listen.

  • At the Gates – To Drink From the Night Itself

Standout tracks include “Daggers of Black Haze,” “To Drink From the Night Itself,” and “The Mirror Black.” To Drink From the Night Itself is for fans of Dark Tranquility, Hypocrisy, and In Flames. Click here to listen.

  • Elder Brother – Stay Inside

Standout tracks include “Weak Days,” “You & Me Forever,” and “Sway.” Stay Inside is for fans of Daisyhead, Head North, and Chase Huglin. Click here to listen.

  • Chase Huglin – Will the Sun Ever Come Back

Standout tracks include “Pennies,” “Heaven Come My Way,” and “90 Days of Summer.” Will the Sun Ever Come Back is for fans of Mat Kerekes, McCafferty, and Elder Brother. Click here to listen.

  • Middle Kids – Lost Friends

Standout tracks include “Mistake,” “Bought It,” and “On My Knees.” Lost Friends is for fans of Methyl Ethel, Camp Cope, and Varsity. Click here to listen.

  • Parkway Drive – Reverence

Standout tracks include “The Void,” “Prey,” and “Wishing Wells.” Reverence is for fans of Miss May I, The Devil Wears Prada, and Architects. Click here to listen.

  • Strung Out – Black Out the Sky

Standout tracks include “Town of Corazon,” “Requiem,” and “Black Out the Sky.” Black Out the Sky is for fans of Face to Face, Ten Foot Pole, and Good Riddance. Click here to listen.

  • Iceage – Beyondless

Standout tracks include “Catch It,” “Pain Killer (ft. Sky Ferreira),” and “Take It All.” Beyondless is for fans of Ought, Preoccupations, and IDLES. Click here to listen.

 

Extended Plays

  • Honest Men – Honest Men

Standout tracks include “Mad Love” and “Lose My Head.” Honest Men is for fans of COIN, Bad Suns, and The Ivy. Click here to listen.

  • DALES – Demos

Standout tracks include “Bulletproof” and “Young for the Summer.” Demos is for fans of Go Radio, The Maine, and The Summer Set. Click here to listen.

  • Somme – Somme

Standout tracks include “Holding On to You” and “Ordinary Fools.” Somme is for fans of Clairo, Ally Hills, and LAYNE. Click here to listen.

  • Clairo – diary 001

Standout tracks include “Pretty Girl” and “4EVER.” diary 001 is for fans of Temporex, boy pablo, and SALES. Click here to listen.

  • Jeremy Zucker – glisten

Standout tracks include “all the kids are depressed” and “better off.” glisten is for fans of EDEN, gnash, and nothing,nowhere. Click here to listen.

  • The Front Bottoms – Ann

Standout tracks include “Tie Dye Dragon” and “Somebody Else.” Ann is for fans of Joyce Manor, Tigers Jaw, and Modern Baseball. Click here to listen.

  • Times Like These – Take It or Leave It

Standout tracks include “Pipe Bomb” and “Passing Cars.” Take It or Leave It is for fans of Face Value, The Gospel Youth, and Every Avenue. Click here to listen.

  • HalfNoise – Flowerss

Standout tracks include “All That Love Is” and “Flowerss.” Flowerss is for fans of Now, Now, Beach Weather, and Paramore. Click here to listen.

  • Pridelands – Any Colour You Desire

Standout tracks include “Slowly” and “The Sulfur Inside Your Hell.” Any Colour You Desire is for fans of Belle Haven, Tapestry, and Apate. Click here to listen.

  • Dream State – Recovery

Standout tracks include “White Lies” and “New Waves.” Recovery is for fans of Picturesque, Greywind, and Thousand Below. Click here to listen.

  • emoceans – Lost in Love

Standout tracks include “I Give Myself to You” and “I Swear.” Lost in Love is for fans of blackbear, gnash, and Bazzi. Click here to listen.

  • Late Night Bull Fight – Something Doesn’t Add Up

Standout tracks include “Superhuman” and “Slow Your Roll.” Something Doesn’t Add Up is for fans of Mt. Joy, Pacific Radio, and Naked Giants. Click here to listen.

 

Featured Singles

Let us know what you think of May’s releases down in the comments below!

Our Alt Col Picks are curated lists of the best albums and EPs for each month! We keep a schedule of upcoming releases and pick our favorite ones at the end of the month, giving them a spotlight here and on Twitter. To be featured in one of our lists, hit us up on our contact page or Twitter, though nothing is guaranteed. (We rarely make exceptions to include past releases, so if your album came out in June, we might be hesitant to include it in July or August, for instance.)