Panic! at the Disco

Best Songs of 2018 – 5 Seconds of Summer, The 1975, twenty one pilots, & More

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Well, it’s that time of year again. We get to discuss the good, the bad, and the ugly of the past year. Right now we’ll run through our top songs of 2018… While this is Alt Columnist, we can’t deny there were some true bops in every genre this year. There’s a bit of everything on this list, from rock to indie to pop punk to singer/songwriter to R&B to electropop. So strap in and enjoy!

Best Songs of 2018

  1. “Bulletproof” by DALES
  2. “Bad Girls Don’t Cry” by The Night Game
  3. “Enough” by Speak Low If You Speak Love
  4. “Surveillance” by George Ogilvie
  5. “Growing” by Blue Heaven
  6. “Drive” by Pale Waves
  7. “If You’re Over Me” by Years & Years
  8. “Magnetic” by Phillip Phillips
  9. “Topanga Lawrence” by Charmer
  10. “Cool Out” by Imagine Dragons
  11. “Good Kisser” by Lake Street Dive
  12. “Pacific Kiss” by MILKK
  13. “Again” by Kehlani
  14. “Bullet For Your Sweetheart” by Make Out Monday
  15. “Bad Machine” by Boston Manor
  16. “take you home” by slenderbodies
  17. “Sister Cities” by The Wonder Years
  18. “Daydream” by The XCERTS
  19. “My Life” by The Vamps & New Hope Club
  20. “Haircut” by Ryan Beatty
  21. “Lash Out” by Alice Merton
  22. “Swim” by Fickle Friends
  23. “Why” by Shawn Mendes
  24. “Babe, Can I Call?” by The Hunna
  25. “all the kids are depressed” by Jeremy Zucker
  26. “Blonde” by Waterparks
  27. “I Always Wanna Die (Sometimes)” by The 1975
  28. “Sky Full of Song” by Florence + the Machine
  29. “Just Like That” by The Aces
  30. “James Dean” by The Wrecks
  31. “Taking Me Back” by LANY
  32. “Voices” by Against the Current
  33. “Hair Too Long” by The Vamps
  34. “My My My!” by Troye Sivan
  35. “Villains” by Mainland
  36. “Moving Along” by 5 Seconds of Summer
  37. “Misty Mae” by Georgia Fearn
  38. “Malibu Nights” by LANY
  39. “Before the Sun Goes Down” by The New Respects
  40. “Mariners Apartment Complex” by Lana Del Rey
  41. “Heaven’s Gate” by Fall Out Boy
  42. “You Can Count On Me” by Trophy Eyes
  43. “The Overpass” by Panic! at the Disco
  44. “stop and stare” by joan
  45. “Mad Love” by Honest Men
  46. “Youngblood” by 5 Seconds of Summer
  47. “That Something” by With Confidence
  48. “Daphne Blue” by The Band Camino
  49. “Heat Wave” by Snail Mail
  50. “Jumpsuit” by twenty one pilots
  51. “Not Warriors” by Waterparks
  52. “Powerslide” by Ryan Beatty
  53. “Best Friend” by 5 Seconds of Summer
  54. “Brooklyn” by Fickle Friends
  55. “Lovely” by Pinkish Blu
  56. “Revolution” by The Wrecks
  57. “Hunger” by Florence + the Machine
  58. “Lake Effect Kid” by Fall Out Boy
  59. “Midnight” by 5 Seconds of Summer
  60. “Empty Cups” by Charlie Puth
  61. “Thick and Thin” by LANY
  62. “Lovin’ Is Bible” by The Aces
  63. “In My Blood” by Shawn Mendes
  64. “Love It If We Made It” by The 1975
  65. “Babylon” by 5 Seconds of Summer

Yeah, I’m surprised too. I’m not going to explain every song on this list, but let’s go through a handful of my favorites.

“I Always Wanna Die (Sometimes)” is basically if The 1975 made a late ’90s Third Eye Blind song… and it somehow works.

“Bullet For Your Sweetheart” by Make Out Monday is reminiscent of Fall Out Boy’s From Under the Cork Tree, lyrically and musically, which is a welcomed sound.

Speaking of Fall Out Boy, while I consider MANIA to be their most unsatisfactory project to date, “Heaven’s Gate” surprised me with its soulful melodies and organic instrumentation, seemingly harking back to the Folie á Deux era of their career.

Similarly, Panic! at the Disco’s Pray For the Wicked was a disappointing release, but “The Overpass” provided some punch, rhythm, and excitement with gutsy horns, racing percussion, and soaring choruses.

“stop and stare” by joan is an ’80s-inspired indie pop rock jam with warm synths, ethereal atmosphere, and a stellar guitar solo.

“Daphne Blue” by The Band Camino is an undeniable summertime anthem, perfect for a windows-down, volume-up drive.

“Powerslide” by Ryan Beatty is another tune for the summertime, but much more chill and smooth and, uh, suggestive, bound to get stuck in your head with its bouncy melodies and vocal harmonies.

“Lovely” by Pinkish Blu delivers a hazy indie rock vibe through nicely reverb-laden guitar timbres and poignant lyricism.

Fall Out Boy originally released a demo of “Lake Effect Kid” on their 2008 Welcome to the New Administration mixtape, but the song finally got its rightful studio version released this year, a decade later, as a love letter to the band’s hometown of Chicago. This is the Fall Out Boy we’ve been missing.

“Midnight” by 5 Seconds of Summer was released as a Japanese bonus track on their latest effort Youngblood, but it’s easily one of the best songs from the record. (Although, as you can tell from their numbers of entries on our list, it’s fairly difficult to say there were many inferior songs on the album to begin with.) “Midnight” is a sultry plea for a deeper relationship with a paramour who only gives their love after midnight, but the tune is so anthemic and gargantuan that the tremendous choruses and celestial atmosphere nearly eclipse the subject matter.

“Empty Cups” by Charlie Puth is a rather similar song, begging a lover to stay, but with more groove and allure… and more scandalous in regards to cheating.

LANY’s “Thick and Thin” employs tasteful simplicity and heartfelt lyrics to craft a refined, exquisitely minimalistic tune deserving of repeated listens and shouted singalongs.

“Lovin’ Is Bible” by The Aces is a fabulous ’80s-influenced tune with some real character. The chorus is undeniably catchy, and the guitar riffs are absolute earcandy.

“Love It If We Made It” by The 1975 is a desperate yet hopeful survey of our world’s current sociopolitical state, and while it is quite anxiety-inducing, it is one of the band’s strongest works to date.

Speaking of anxiety, “In My Blood” by Shawn Mendes is an empowering cry for help, a portrait of persevering through mental health struggles and general challenges of life. Shawn Mendes surprised us with this Kings of Leon-inspired pop rock song, and it’s brought me to tears on multiple occasions.

“Babylon” by 5 Seconds of Summer is a ripping pop rock anthem, characterized by colossal guitar melodies and sky-high choruses. Calum Hood’s moment to shine is an ultimately defining moment for the Aussie band.

That’s our list! Let us know your favorite tunes of the year in the comments down below or tweet at us on Twitter. @AltColumnist

June 2018 Alt Col Picks – 5 Seconds of Summer, Snail Mail, Florence + the Machine, & More

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

  • 5 Seconds of Summer – Youngblood

After nearly three years, 5SOS recrudesces to deliver their most experimental and mature record yet. Youngblood is expertly characterized by moody guitar melodies, pensive atmosphere, and stellar vocal performances contributed by  all members of the band. Standout tracks include “Babylon,” “Better Man,” “Midnight,” “Talk Fast,” and “Moving Along,” but every song is amazing! Youngblood will appeal to fans of All Time Low, The Vamps, Fall Out Boy, and Imagine Dragons. Click here to listen.

  • Snail Mail – Lush

At the age of 18, Lindsey Jordan unleashes her debut record Lush, defined by the charming contrast of raucous distorted and smoothly crisp guitar timbres as well as heartfelt lyricism. The earnest verses are ultimately complemented by Jordan’s ardent and undoubtedly commendable vocal displays. Standout tracks include “Heat Wave,” “Pristine,” “Full Control,” and “Let’s Find An Out.” Lush is bound to satisfy followers of Kississippi, Soccer Mommy, and Anna Burch. Click here to listen.

  • Florence + the Machine – High As Hope

Florence Welch provides her most personal and vulnerable material to date on Florence + the Machine’s fourth studio album High As Hope. High As Hope is outlined by organic instrumentation, luscious background vocals, and the powerhouse delivery of Welch, but the most compelling aspect of this release is her raw, emotional exposition. Standout tracks include “Hunger,” “Sky Full of Song,” “Patricia,” and “Big God.” High As Hope is sure to attract listeners of Alice Merton, London Grammar, and Lily Allen. Click here to listen.

  • State Champs – Living Proof

State Champs returns on their third studio LP Living Proof, offering up sticky hooks and hard-hitting guitar tones while maintaining their credibility in the modern pop punk scene. With singalong choruses, fast-paced percussion, and syrupy vocal harmonies, Living Proof is an exhilarating summer record begging for countless replays. Standout tracks include “Dead and Gone,” “Mine Is Gold,” and “Our Time to Go.” Living Proof will interest fans of Neck Deep, Coldfront, and ROAM. Click here to listen.

  • Mayday Parade – Sunnyland

For their sixth studio full-length, Mayday Parade explores tales of heartbreak and emotion while continuing their exceptional rock timbre… and employing the classic unreasonably long song title tactic. Standout tracks include “Piece of Your Heart,” “It’s Hard to Be Religious When Certain People Are Never Incinerated By Bolts of Lightning,” and “Looks Red, Tastes Blue.” Sunnyland will capture followers of Every Avenue, Make Out Monday, and Across the Atlantic. Click here to listen.

  • Father John Misty – God’s Favorite Customer

Josh Tillman exerts his most gut-wrenching songwriting on his fourth long-player God’s Favorite Customer. Between mentions of suicide, marital struggles, and religion, God’s Favorite Customer is a poignant yet mandatory slice of folky singer/songwriter pop. Standout tracks include “Mr. Tillman,” “Disappointing Diamonds Are the Rarest of Them All,” and “God’s Favorite Customer.” God’s Favorite Customer is sure to satisfy listeners of Grizzly Bear, Fleet Foxes, and Foxygen. Click here to listen.

  • Ghost – Prequelle

After internal issues and lineup changes within the band, Ghost presents an epic, theatrical rock/metal record, constituted by holy grandiosity and nuanced technicality. With spectacular musicianship and riveting libretto, Prequelle is an undeniable masterpiece. Standout tracks include “Rats,” “Dance Macabre,” “Miasma,” and “Helvetesfönster.” Prequelle will appeal to followers of Testament, Mastodon, and King Diamond. Click here to listen.

  • Blue Heaven – Volume One

Through shimmery guitar riffs, fervent vocal performances, and intimate lyricism, Blue Heaven’s debut studio record, aptly titled Volume One, is an album worth turning the volume all the way up for. The dreamy sound of Volume One is hypnotic and entrancing, bound to keep you coming back for repeated listens. Standout tracks include “Growing,” “Goodthings,” “Shade,” and “Second Guessing.” Volume One will attract fans of Pinkish Blu, Better Off, and Anarbor. Click here to listen.

  • Homesafe – One

After a string of EPs and singles, Homesafe finally issues their debut full-length titled One. Homesafe, the side project of Knuckle Puck bassist Ryan Rumchaks, delivers an animated pop punk record filled to the brim with pulse-quickening drumming, shredding guitars, and rampant energy. Standout tracks include “Run,” “Vanilla-Scented Laser Beams,” “Sideways Sleeper,” and “Say Something.” One will capture followers of Like Pacific, Knuckle Puck, and Moose Blood. Click here to listen.

  • Brendon Urie – Pray For the Wicked

After the inconsistent Death of a Bachelor, Brendon Urie returns on Pray For the Wicked, another over-polished, squeaky clean pop record with frustratingly thin instrumentation, painfully braggadocious lyricism, and overall messy writing. Standout tracks include “The Overpass” and “(F*ck a) Silver Lining.” Pray For the Wicked will interest listeners of, like, Fall Out Boy. Click here to listen.

Click here to read our album review of Death of a Bachelor.

MORE GREAT ALBUMS

  • Mike Shinoda – Post Traumatic

Standout tracks include “Crossing a Line,” “Running From My Shadow (ft. grandson),” and “Over Again.” Post Traumatic is for fans of Linkin Park, Fort Minor, and Hollywood Undead. Click here to listen.

  • Colour Me Wednesday – Counting Pennies In the Afterlife

Standout tracks include “Disown,” “Boyfriend’s Car,” and “Sunriser.” Counting Pennies In the Afterlife is for fans of Camp Cope, Remember Sports, and Dream Nails. Click here to listen.

  • This Wild Life – Petaluma

Standout tracks include “Catie Rae,” “Hold You Here,” and “Headfirst.” Petaluma is for fans of Chase Huglin, Casey Bolles, and Coffee Eyes. Click here to listen.

  • Georgia Fearn – Perfect on Paper

Standout tracks include “Misty Mae,” “L’Amour,” and “Emptiness.” Perfect on Paper is for fans of Catey Shaw, Jessica Hernandez & The Deltas, and Caroline Rose. Click here to listen.

  • Conformist – Lifestyle Revised

Standout tracks include “Nothing Important Happened Today (Abridged),” “Art Colony (Abridged),” and “Trust Exercises (Man Without Country Remix).” Lifestyle Revised is for fans of Clone Quartet, DAMPFBAHN!, and Lucid Debate. Click here to listen.

  • Dance Gavin Dance – Artificial Selection

Standout tracks include “Suspended In This Disaster,” “Midnight Crusade,” and “Son of Robot.” Artificial Selection is for fans of Saosin, blessthefall, and The Word Alive. Click here to listen.

  • Nine Inch Nails – Bad Witch

Standout tracks include “God Break Down the Door,” “Ahead of Ourselves,” and “Over and Out.” Bad Witch is for fans of Skinny Puppy, Puscifer, and White Zombie. Click here to listen.

  • Tancred – Nightstand

Standout tracks include “Reviews,” “Queen of New York,” and “Something Else.” Nightstand is for fans of Now, Now, Ratboys, and Kississippi. Click here to listen.

  • Wild Moccasins – Look Together

Standout tracks include “Boyish Wave,” “Longtime Listener,” and “Seven to One.” Look Together is for fans of Buxton, Grandchildren, and Caroline Rose. Click here to listen.

  • Bullet For My Valentine – Gravity

Standout tracks include “Over It,” “Letting You Go,” and “The Very Last Time.” Gravity is for fans of As I Lay Dying, Avenged Sevenfold, and Escape the Fate. Click here to listen.

  • Convictions – Hope For the Broken

Standout tracks include “Deceptive Heart,” “Voices (They Want Me Dead),” and “Divided.” Hope For the Broken is for fans of Dayseeker, Kingdom of Giants, and Thousand Below. Click here to listen.

  • Modern Maps – hope you’re happy.

Standout tracks include “Nightfall,” “Autopilot,” and “Heatwave.” hope you’re happy. is for fans of Sink the Ship, LIMBS, and Slaves. Click here to listen.

  • Like A Storm – Catacombs

Standout tracks include “The Devil Inside,” “Until the Day I Die,” and “The Bitterness.” Catacombs is for fans of Smash Into Pieces, Rains, and Under the Flood. Click here to listen.

  • Natalie Prass – The Future and the Past

Standout tracks include “Short Court Style,” “The Fire,” and “Lost.” The Future and the Past is for fans of Anna Burch, Lucy Dacus, and Caroline Rose. Click here to listen.

  • American Aquarium – Things Change

Standout tracks include “Work Conquers All,” “One Day At a Time,” and “The World Is On Fire.” Things Change is for fans of Cory Branan, Drive-By Truckers, and Jason Eady. Click here to listen.

  • Alex Dingley – Beat the Babble

Standout tracks include “Lovely Life to Leave,” “After the Laughter,” and “I Don’t Ever.” Beat the Babble is for fans of Rayland Baxter, The Kin, and Tobias Jesso, Jr. Click here to listen.

  • Lillye – Evolve

Standout tracks include “Run,” “Brittle Glass,” and “Chained.” Evolve is for fans of Age of Taurus, Forbidden Seasons, and Wayfarer. Click here to listen.

  • Ethereal Delusions – Reformation

Standout tracks include “Pluto,” “Beauty Beyond the Chaos,” and “Shadow of Death.” Reformation is for fans of The Foxholes, A Hope For the Future, and Primorph. Click here to listen.

 

Extended Plays

  • MILKK – If You’re Reading This, I Love You

Standout tracks include “Leaving” and “Secret’s Out.” If You’re Reading This, I Love You is for fans of LANY, The 1975, and The Japanese House. Click here to listen.

  • Calpurnia – Scout

Standout tracks include “City Boy” and “Louie.” Scout is for fans of The Walters, Wallows, and Twin Peaks. Click here to listen.

  • Spiritual Cramp – Police State

Standout tracks include “I Feel Bad Bein’ Me” and “Blood Clot.” Police State is for fans of Fiddlehead, Big Bite, and Praise. Click here to listen.

  • The Get Up Kids – Kicker

Standout tracks include “Better This Way” and “I’m Sorry.” Kicker is for fans of Saves the Day, The New Amsterdams, and Reggie and the Full Effect. Click here to listen.

  • Betty Who – Betty, Pt. 1

Standout tracks include “Taste” and “Ignore Me.” Betty, Pt. 1 is for fans of Troye Sivan, flor, and Broods. Click here to listen.

  • Protomartyr – Consolation

Standout tracks include “Wheel of Fortune (ft. Kelley Deal)” and “Same Face In a Different Mirror.” Consolation is for fans of Preoccupations, Iceage, and Ought. Click here to listen.

  • Local Tourists – Adrift

Standout tracks include “Tango Loco” and “The Architect.” Adrift is for fans of Glass Towers, Finish Ticket, and Mutemath. Click here to listen.

  • DNCE – People to People

Standout tracks include “TV In the Morning” and “Lose My Cool.” People to People is for fans of Maroon 5, Hey Violet, and Olly Murs. Click here to listen.

  • Days Like These – State of Growth

Standout tracks include “Weak” and “Give Up, Give Out.” State of Growth is for fans of Face Value, Detour North, and Far Too Young. Click here to listen.

  • Bussieres – Sunny Side Up

Standout tracks include “Prestige Worldwide” and “Baxter.” Sunny Side Up is for fans of Curbside, Hate It Too, and Thousand Oaks. Click here to listen.

 

Featured SingleS

Let us know what you think of June’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.)